General Terms & Conditions for Tenants
As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following payments.
Before the tenancy starts (payable to Melvyn Danes Lettings ‘the Agent’)
Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent – Please note this will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a right to rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information or fail to sign their tenancy (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing). Should the Tenant(s)/Guarantor withdraw or fail referencing due to non-disclosure and/or falsified references this fee will not be returned. It can, with your agreement, be used as a contribution towards your first month’s rent or Tenancy Deposit if the Tenancy proceeds to move in/completion. Deposit: 5 weeks’ rent
During the tenancy (payable to the Agent)
Payment of up to £50.00 (Inc. VAT) if you want to change the tenancy agreement, payment for the reasonably incurred costs for the loss of keys/security devices payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy.
During the tenancy (payable to the provider) if permitted and applicable
Utilities – gas, electricity, water, Communications – telephone and broadband Installation of cable/satellite Subscription to cable/satellite supplier, Television licence, Council Tax
Other payments
Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.
Early Termination
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent & utilities due under the tenancy agreement until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.
Client Money Protection Scheme
Melvyn Danes Lettings has client money protection through PropertyMark. We are also members of The Property Ombudsman which is a redress scheme. We are Consumer Rights Act 2015 and Tenant Fees Act 2019 Compliant
If we are unable to proceed with the Tenancy because your references differ from details provided before application, or if you change your mind and decide not to rent the property, the holding deposit you have paid will not be refunded to you. If by the agreed Tenancy start date the Property is unavailable other than as a result of you failing to enter into the Tenancy Agreement, then the holding deposit paid by you will be returned in full. This obligation to return the holding deposit is Melvyn Danes Letting’s only obligation in such circumstances. Melvyn Danes Lettings will not be liable to make additional payments to you by reason of the property being unavailable for whatever reason.
REFERENCES
All prospective Tenants and guarantors will be referenced by Melvyn Danes Letting’s chosen referencing company. Approval is required from the referencing company and their decision is final and binding. The Guarantor will be required to sign a legally binding document, which would make him/her liable for the rent for the term of occupancy if the Tenant defaults on his/her payments.
DEPOSIT
A security deposit is taken by Melvyn Danes Lettings and held with a Government scheme, details of which will be provided.
HOLDING DEPOSIT
Melvyn Danes Lettings will take a holding deposit of the equivalent of 1 weeks rent. This will be held for 15 calendar days as a maximum before signing your tenancy agreement. Your holding deposit will be used towards your tenancy deposit unless otherwise agreed in writing. If there are any delays in signing the agreement such as referencing etc, any extension of the 15 days will need to be agreed in writing.
SIGNING CONTRACTS
The Tenancy Agreement must be signed by all Tenants and, until such time, no contractual agreement, offer or obligation is deemed to exist.
MOVING IN
It is the Tenant’s responsibility to contact British Telecom (or any local telecom operator if applicable) for connection of your telephone service. Melvyn Danes Lettings cannot accept responsibility for any costs incurred with connection of supplies. You should check carefully the condition of the property and its contents when you move in. The property should be in clean condition, free from dust and damage, windows clean etc. If you find anything that is not in good order, you must tell us when we check you in. We are unable to consider claims or requests once you have checked in. The property is let as seen at the time of viewing; and requests for removing furniture, providing extra furniture, appliances or redecoration will not normally be considered after you have submitted your application to rent the property. Please note; only one set of keys is normally provided.
FROST DAMAGE
Frost damage is a risk to all houses left empty during the winter period (December to April months) due to possible pipe bursts and flooding. If you are away from the property for any period longer than one day, then we request that you carry out the following procedures:
– Turn off the mains water supply at the main stopcock and open loft access hatch (if provided).
OR – Leave heating on (if necessary, turn down to a low setting) Failure to carry out this procedure could make you liable for any damage caused.
REPAIRS
Tenants are requested to bring any disrepair, damage or defect in the premises to the immediate attention of the agent/Landlord. In the event of emergency repairs, please call Melvyn Danes Lettings on 0121 733 7334. If we are not managing the property you must contact the Landlord. You will find that smoke detectors and similar safety devices have been fitted in your property. Where this is the case, please ensure that you check all such devices on moving into the property and familiarise yourself with their operation (most smoke detectors have a test button to check batteries and the unit are operating correctly) and report any problems to Melvyn Danes Lettings or your landlord as appropriate. Thereafter, you should check the devices at regular intervals and be responsible for replacement of any batteries that they may require.
DAMP AND CONDENSATION
Damp can be a problem in houses where there are many occupants and the property is not adequately ventilated. You should ensure that any extractor fans are left connected and are properly used. It is also important to open windows as necessary to encourage an adequate flow of fresh air through the property after bathing or showering in order to allow damp air a chance to escape. The hanging of washing and wet clothes will also create large amounts of damp air and again, it will be important to provide adequate ventilation in such circumstances. The presence of mould or dark spots or stains (especially in bathrooms and other wet areas) is a common sign of inadequate ventilation, and it is important to prevent further spread at an early stage before severe and irreversible staining takes place. Mould and similar stains should be removed by wiping the affected areas with a fungicide or mild bleach in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions (but do test on a small area first). If the problem persists, then you should inform Melvyn Danes Lettings or your Landlord as appropriate.
GAS APPLIANCES
Gas Safety regulations apply to both Landlords and Tenants in rented property. In order to comply with the regulations, it is necessary: – that brown or sooty build-up on any gas appliance, or gas escape should be reported immediately to your letting agent AND the local Gas Board. The emergency number for the local Gas Board is 0800 111 999 – that ventilators installed in the premises for the correct operation of the gas appliance should not be blocked. – that safety checks be carried out every 12 months on any gas appliance in the property. The Tenant is required to allow entry with reasonable notice for this purpose. A copy of the record will be made available to Tenants.
INSPECTIONS
If Melvyn Danes Lettings is managing the property, then inspections will be carried out. You will of course be informed (with at least 24 hours notice) prior to these inspections.
IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE
Before submitting an application, it is most important and is the tenant’s responsibility to check for themselves, with the relevant authorities or companies, the availability and location of public transport, local amenities, shops, schools, cable & satellite television, telephone lines, car parking etc. This is not the responsibility of Melvyn Danes Lettings.
CLIENT MONEY PROTECTION
Click here to see our Client Money Protection Certificate
Click here to see the Propertymark Conduct and Membership Rules
