Once you have decided that you definitely want to rent a property, you will be asked to put down a holding deposit in which will then allow us to take the property off the market and inform the landlord of your intentions.

If the landlord agrees to you becoming a tenant, you will then need to pay for referencing and administrations fees.

To complete our referencing, we will check and require:

· Previous landlord details (if applicable)

· Credit References

· Your bank account details

· Employment status, including employer contact details and salary

Occasionally a tenant doesn't quite meet the desired referencing requirements and in this case, you will be asked to provide a guarantor for which referencing fees will also apply.

You will also be asked for proof of 'Right to Rent' under immigration legislation. This will require you to provide us with originals copies of your passport or other evidence of your right to rent. A full list of documents that are acceptable can be found here

Once all the referencing is completed, we will provide you with a tenancy agreement to sign. Please read this carefully as this is a legally binding document. If there are any issues you want explained in more detail or changes to be negotiated with the landlord, you must do this before signing.

Your tenancy agreement will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) and will detail both yours and landlords responsibilities. Please ask us about anything you are unsure off as we will be happy to talk you through it.

When you are ready to sign your tenancy agreement you will need to pay your deposit. This is usually between one and two months' rent and will be registered with a government backed Tenant Deposit Scheme (TDS).

Your deposit is to cover the cost of any damage you may cause during your tenancy and is returned to you in full at the end of your tenancy, unless any deductions are required. If you are not happy with any of the deductions taken, the TDS resolution service will mediate on your behalf with the landlord.

You will be provided with details of which Tenant Deposit Scheme you are registered with and their contact details.

Your first payment will be payable on the first day your tenancy starts and monthly thereafter. Depending on our agreement with your landlord, this will be either directly to your landlord or to us if we are managing your property. You will be provided with details with you tenancy agreement.

On moving in day, there are a few very important things to do that can help your tenancy run smoothly and prevent issues at the end of it.

Either one of our lettings team or your landlord will go through the inventory with you when we check you into your new home. This document lists everything in your property so please take care to go through it carefully to prevent issues later on.

If there is something missing or damaged, it is important that this is noted on the inventory and it is advisable that you take a photograph of any damage for your records and ensure that whoever is checking you in signs the inclusion.

You will be liable for water, gas, electricity and council tax bills in your rental property.

On moving day, make sure you read all meters and notify the utility companies. You will be provided with details of which utility companies and council service the property.

Some landlords will allow you to transfer your existing contracts to your new property but please check first.

By law, if you have a gas boiler in your property, it must be serviced annually and hold a current Safety Certificate. This will be made available to you, along with the operating manual for your boiler.

At check-in, it's worth spending a few minutes finding out where things like stop-cocks and fuse boxes are plus how things that are new to you work.

All rental properties must be fitted with both fire and carbon monoxide alarms. These will be tested to make sure they are working when you are checked into your new home. During your tenancy, it is then your responsibility to check them regularly and replace batteries as required or notify us or your landlord of any faults.

This depends on our agreement with your landlord. If we are managing your property, we will make our first visit three months into your tenancy and every four months thereafter. We will give you plenty of notice and arrange it at a time that is convenient for you. If your landlord is managing your property, he or she will also be required to give you at least 24 hours' notice of when they wish to visit.

You will be responsible for the general upkeep of your property and garden (if applicable) and your landlord will be responsible for things like structural, fixtures and fittings, boilers and wiring. You will be expected to do simple things like changing lightbulbs, tightening a cupboard door screw, unblocking a toilet if you have blocked it and making good any minor damage you have caused.

If something major needs repair or maintenance, please notify either us or your landlord immediately as leaving it could cause further damage and incurred costs which you could then be liable for.

When reporting a repair of maintenance issue, we recommend you take photographs of the issue and email all details as well as calling on the telephone.

Full details of your responsibilities will be within your tenancy agreement but please check with us if there is anything you are unsure of.

If we have a management contract with your landlord, we will provide you with our emergency contact details in case anything goes wrong, so we can quickly get things sorted for you. If your landlord is managing the property, he or she will provide you with their own direct contact details.

Who you need to contact will also be detailed in your tenancy agreement.

Should you want to renew your agreement, you will need to let us know two months' prior to the end of your tenancy.

If your landlord is agreeable, you will issued with a revised tenancy agreement for which a fee is payable.

We hope your tenancy runs smoothly and do please speak to one of our friendly and helpful team if there is anything you would like to know or are unclear of.