At Townsend, we let and manage a variety of furnished and unfurnished properties throughout Somerset and Devon.
Please keep in mind that a range of checks on all prospective tenants will be carried out and we will require a security deposit equal to 5 weeks rent (6 weeks rent, where the annual rent is greater than £50,000).
Should you be uncertain as to your suitability or have specific requirements, please contact us.
Tenant’s Guide
We have set out below a few key pointers to assist you should you wish to rent a property through us.
Your Offer
Once you have viewed a suitable property, your feedback and offer is passed to the Landlord for their consideration. Please note that any offer you make would be subject to you fulfilling our reference criteria.
Agreeing the Let
Once accepted by the Landlord, we move to application for tenancy and you will be asked to pay a Holding Deposit of one weeks rent which reserves the property for you. This holding payment becomes part of your first months rent, assuming you are offered a tenancy. We also send out our application pack and put you in touch with our independent reference providers to begin referencing.
Please note that until we receive both your application forms and holding deposit we continue to market and show the property.
If you decide not to proceed with the tenancy at any point during the application process, your holding deposit will not be returned. Further details of our application process are available upon request. In the unlikely event that the Landlord withdraws from the application at any stage, all of your Holding Deposit will be returned to you.
Once satisfactory references are received, the Landlord gives us the authority to offer you a tenancy and we will issue the tenancy documents and initial invoice accordingly.
References
Our reference provider will confirm your employment position, carry out a credit check and obtain a previous landlord or personal reference. If you are self employed, checks will be made with your accountant.
Occasionally, a GUARANTOR will be required if, for example, if you have not been continuously employed for the past 18 months; have been working abroad in the previous 6 months; your income falls short of our affordability criteria or your employment is considered as changeable.
Please note that the same criteria applies to the guarantor and, furthermore, the guarantor must be a UK home owner. They will also be credit checked.
The guarantor must be aware that they will stand as guarantor for you, (and your partner if you are moving in to the property with someone else), for the entire occupancy of the property, not just for the period of the initial tenancy term.
We will also check your Right to Rent in the UK at this stage, this applies to all applicants over the age of 18.
How much do I need to earn to be considered for the property?
Your income, whether comprised from employment, pensions or savings, must meet a multiple of 2.5 times the annual rent.
Tenancy Agreement
We will provide you with a draft copy in advance of the moving date for you to read and understand your contractual obligations.
Rent and Deposit
You will be required to pay the balance of the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the keys for the property. A deposit equal to 5 weeks rent (6 weeks rent, where the annual rent is greater than £50,000) is required for the full tenancy against loss, damage or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy.
The deposit will be held in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Government backed Deposit Protection Scheme. It is returnable in full at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property and it should be noted that deductions will also be made for cleaning should the property (and garden areas) not have been left in a satisfactory condition.
Rent is to be paid monthly in advance commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter. The payment method is by bank standing order; no other method of payment is accepted.
Fees
In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019:
Additional charges may apply during the course of the tenancy or at the end and are detailed within the Tenancy Agreement e.g.
- Default of Contract Later Payment Charge £25.00
- Default of Contract Loss of Keys £25.00
- Contract Variation Admin Charge £50.00, or other reasonable amount
- Contract Termination Admin Charge – £50.00 (plus any reasonable Landlord costs, by prior agreement)
Company Let
Company applications are acceptable where the UK Limited company (as registered at Companies House) will be taking the tenancy and paying the rent – the Company will need to have filed at least TWO years accounts with HM Revenue & Customs.
Our fee will be £300 to cover the work required in verifying the Company details.
Check In and Condition Report
A Condition Report and Inventory will be prepared for your new home and given to you on moving in day. The cost of this is borne by the Landlord. You will be given 7 days to read, check and return one copy of these documents from the commencement of your tenancy.
Check Out
At the end of your tenancy we will follow our end of tenancy process which will be clearly detailed to you in writing. We will conduct an independent check out using the Inventory and schedule of condition that was used at the check in. All information is provided in good faith. We will accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies.
Other points of note
- The Tenant will be responsible for insuring their own possessions and to maintain cover that includes cover for accidental damage to the Landlord’s fixtures and fittings and protect against third party claims.
- The Tenant will take over all utilities such as Gas, Electricity, Water/Sewage charges and Council Tax upon moving into the property and will be responsible for contacting the relevant suppliers accordingly prior to commencement of the tenancy.
- No pets are allowed in the property unless agreed in writing.
- It is usual for the property to be inspected at least once a quarter during the term of your Tenancy with an initial inspection made after the first six weeks.
- The most common type of Tenancy Agreement is the 6 month Assured Shorthold and usually takes the form of a standard contract between both parties.
- Please note that all monies to be paid on the signing of the agreement prior to the occupation and should be paid via direct bank transfer.
Latest News
I can say it’s been great from our first contact with Jane to when the keys were handed over. The warm reception from Jane when we went for viewing and her smile was amazing. Thank you Townsend for facilitating the whole process. Trust our time together will be wonderful.
Keziah
I can say it's been great from our first contact with Jane to when the keys were handed over. The warm reception from Jane when we went for viewing and her smile was amazing. Thank you Townsend for facilitating the whole process. Trust our time together will be wonderful
Keziah
Really great experience renting a property for over 2 years. Both Nick and Jane Townsend were very lovely and kind people. Responded in a timely manner to any concerns. Kept me updated. Would recommend them to anyone.
Catherine
