Tenant FAQs
Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions we make in life. It may seem like a complicated or daunting process but, trust us, its not. And you’ve got the EL team to help you every step of the way anyway! All you need to do is pick your perfect home and we will do the rest.
All your questions about the rental process, your home and tenancy answered below:
SHARED HOUSES : All properties will have access to Wi-Fi internet. Unless otherwise stated this will be Virgin Media broadband of speeds between 200 Mbps – 1 Gigabyte.
PRIVATE HOMES : You will be responsible for choosing and paying for your own internet services unless otherwise stated.
SHARED HOUSES : There will usually be a TV in the common area of the property. These TVs as a minimum will have Freeview access, but often will have a combination of either Virgin Media TiVo/ V6 cable TV services, Netflix or NOW TV access. Some private rooms will also have TVs and media packages included with them where stated.
PRIVATE HOMES : You will be responsible for choosing and paying for your own media services unless otherwise stated.
SHARED HOUSES : Unless otherwise stated the rooms in our shared houses will be furnished.
PRIVATE HOMES : This will vary depending on the flat being advertised. Please refer to the specific advert details.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes.
PRIVATE HOMES : Yes, usually. Please refer to the specific property adverts for details.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes.
PRIVATE HOMES : Usually you will be supplying your own pots, pans, plates etc…
SHARED HOUSES : Yes. Usually a professional cleaner will attend to the communal areas of your home on a regular basis. Your private room is your own responsibility.
PRIVATE HOMES : No. Unless requested and paid for by yourself or the property owner. You will be fully responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of your home.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes.
PRIVATE HOMES : No.
SHARED HOUSES : All properties will have a washing machine. Some properties will also have a tumble dryer. Please refer to the specific property advert details.
PRIVATE HOMES : Private homes may or may not have washing machines or tumble dryers provided. Most will have a washing machine. Please refer to the specific property advert details.
SHARED HOUSES : No.
PRIVATE HOMES : No.
ALL PROPERTIES : Yes.
ALL PROPERTIES : Report a problem and contact the Edgbaston Lettings team via our property management system called Arthur.
YES. This is usually equivalent to one month’s rent.
Within a week of the conclusion of your Tenancy subject to all of your rent having been paid correctly, a satisfactory property check-out inspection and the return of the property keys.
The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) and My Deposits.
Just :
- Your Deposit
- Your first month’s rent on or before the day you move in
No. The charging of fees associated with the setting up of your tenancy has been illegal in England since June 2019.
Payments can be made by :
- direct bank transfer
- card payments
- in cash
We request that wherever possible regular rent payments are made by direct bank transfer with a Standing Order.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes – unless otherwise stated.
PRIVATE HOMES : No – unless otherwise stated.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes.
PRIVATE HOMES : No, unless otherwise stated.
Students are usually exempt from paying Council Tax.
SHARED HOUSES : Yes. Wi-Fi internet will be provided in all shared houses and usually further TV media services but these will vary from property to property. For example : Virgin Media TiVo/ V6 television boxes, Netflix, NOW TV etc…
PRIVATE HOMES : No, unless otherwise stated.
SHARED HOUSES : There will be a licence for TVs in the common areas of the property included in your rent BUT if you use a TV in your own room or stream applicable content on any device in your room then you will need to purchase your own separate TV licence.
PRIVATE HOMES : Yes if you wish to use a TV in your home or stream applicable content on any device in your home.
Usually, no. But the Landlord’s reserve the right to request a credit reference check for your application.
If you are in provable full time employment with full references for your tenancy application then no.
If you are a student, seeking employment or only in part-time employment then this may be required as a condition of your tenancy.
An assured shorthold tenancy agreements usually have an initial or ‘fixed’ term of 6 months. But they can be longer or shorter depending upon agreement between the Landlord and the tenant.
Edgbaston Lettings’ tenancy agreements are usually for 6 months and then roll on month by month.
This would be at the Landord’s discretion. If a shorter term, more flexible tenancy is offered by a Landlord it might be agreed at a higher monthly rent to allow for their having to re-advertise the room sooner than normal.
By giving notice in writing of your intention to vacate the property within the terms of the tenancy. This usually means giving notice at least one full calendar month before you wish to vacate the property.
The earliest date your tenancy can end is the end of the initial or ‘fixed’ term of the tenancy agreement.
No, not unless you are able to find a replacement tenant for your tenancy. You would be obliged to continue to pay rent in line with the tenancy terms until the new tenant moves in. Tenancy Breaking fees may be applicable to any such request also.
At the Landlord’s discretion this might be possible subject to agreeing the terms of the new property and paying any tenancy amendment fees.
The main references needed are :
1) your current/ future employer reference and
2) your current or former landlord / property agency reference. If a landlord reference is not applicable to your circumstances then you will have to discuss alternatives with the Lettings team.
3) If you are a student then proof of your academic placement and funding will be required
A guarantor may be requested at the Landlord’s discretion for certain applications. For example :
- Students
- Applicants being accepted with known credit impairments
- Applicants being accepted with welfare / benefits supported applications
No. It has been illegal since June 2019 in England for any costs or fees to be charged to applicant tenants with regards the applying for and setting up of their tenancy agreement.
SHARED HOUSES : No. It is illegal to smoke within a shared house. Smoking in outdoor areas such as gardens is permitted.
PRIVATE HOUSES : Usually landlords do not permit smoking within their properties, but in outside areas such as gardens.
SHARED HOUSES : No. Exceptions may be made at the Landlord’s discretion for small, contained animals that will only be in the tenant’s room and remain within their living containers.
PRIVATE HOUSES : This will vary from Landlord to Landlord and property to property, but, yes, at the Landlord’s discretion this may be possible. You may be asked to pay an extra deposit consideration to protect against any damage that may be caused by your pet.
SHARED HOUSES : Visits, yes. Staying at the properties overnight – at the Landlord’s discretion. As long as it is not a frequent occurrence and not for long then this is usually not a problem. But your housemates must be advised of visiting guests and remain happy. Long term resident guests are not permitted.
PRIVATE HOMES : Yes to both. It is your own private home.
SHARED HOUSES : A professional cleaner will attend to the communal areas of the properties on a regular basis. Your room is your own responsibility.
PRIVATE HOMES : You are fully responsible for the cleaning of your home.
ALL PROPERTIES : Please report any maintenance needs to the Edgbaston Lettings team via our property management system called Arthur.
Ready to Move? So Are We.
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We are here to answer any questions you might have about property letting, management and our houses. The quickest and best way to find your ideal next home is to contact us now and talk through the options.
