Tenant Guide
Absolute Living have found homes for thousands of sharers, couples, families and students in South West London over the past decade; with many then continuing to stay in Absolute Living stable.
Here we outline the process and what to expect during a tenancy from initial viewing to moving out.
Viewing
You can find our properties on the main property websites; to arrange a viewing contact our office via email by phone and speak to one of our letting agents. They will book you in for a viewing and send you the property address either meeting in the office and driving you there or meeting direct at the property.
Offer & Holding Deposit
Once you have found the property you wish to make an offer on, give our agent a call to let them know the terms of your offer. Before putting your offer to the landlord we take a holding deposit of one week’s rent. After that we will need to know, how much you wish to pay per month when you wish to move in, and how long your contract will be. Usually landlords want the rent the property is advertised at, for you to move in within a week of the property becoming available, and for the contract length to be 1 year without a break clause. Make sure to let the agent know if you have special requirements to add to your offer such as, an additional sofa to be provided or for a room to be repainted etc.
Referencing
Providing your offer is then accepted you will be sent an email from our referencing partner and you will be asked to fill out the online form attached. As the referencing can take up to 7 days to complete and we cannot move you in to a property before it is complete. We advise you to contact any of your referees to ensure they reply to any contact received from the referencing company.
Referencing checks the following:
- Affordability reference — Ensure you have a combined income of 2.5 times the annual rent.
- Credit check — Check your financial history and check for adverse credit, such as CCJs (County Court Judgements).
- Employer reference — Check status of your employment, and ensure their contract covers the full length of the tenancy.
- Previous landlord reference — To confirm you have previously maintained your responsibilities.
Paying Funds & Signing Contracts
We will let you know once the referencing has been completed and arrange a date for you to meet us in the office to sign the contact and pay the outstanding balance (this will be less the holding deposit payment). As the money must be in our account before we hand over keys we advise the final payment is made a couple of days before the beginning or your contract.
Picking Up Keys & Moving In
On the day of you move in the agent will meet you at the property to hand over keys, take meter readings and answer any final questions. If a professional inventory has been requested by the landlord you will have 14 days to check the report/ sign it and return it to us. Professional cleaning may also have been arranged prior to move in.
During Your Tenancy
Depending on whether Absolute Living manage the property or not you will be issued with the contact details of the landlord or our management team who will be on hand to deal with any maintenance or concerns.
Extending/Ending Your Tenancy
Two months prior to the end of your tenancy contact the managing agent/ landlord to discuss either terminating or the option of signing a new contract to extend your tenancy. When leaving the property you are to return the property in the same condition as found to avoid deposit deductions.
Tenant Fees (New AST's)
Applying from 1st June 2019 for new tenancies.
| Excl. VAT | Inc. VAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fee per tenancy & Renewal Admin Fee | £0 | £0 |
| Referencing per person or/ and guarantor | £0 | £0 |
| Changes or amendment to terms during tenancy, requested by tenant | £41.67 | £50 |
| Check out Inventory | £0 | £0 |
Tenant Fees
Applying to renewal of contracts dated before 1st June 2019 and both lets to a Company or non-Housing Act Tenancy Agreement.
| Excl. VAT | Inc. VAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fee per tenancy | £220 | £264 |
| Referencing per person or/ and guarantor | £37.50 | £45 |
| Renewal Admin Fee per tenancy | £125 | £150 |
| Check out Inventory | £125 | £150 |
Professional Cleaning
If the property was professionally cleaned prior to move in then you will be required to arrange the same level of cleaning at the end of the tenancy to the satisfaction of the inventory company.
Secure Local Keyholding
Are you a property owner who lives out of the area and require access to your property for a contractor or delivery? For £5 a month we will securely hold your keys and release them at your request.
Floor Plans
Professionally produced for all lettings and sales properties, helping you to understand how to utilise the space on offer!
