Understanding your budget is crucial. Take the time to assess your finances and determine what deposit and monthly rent you can comfortably afford. This will help streamline your search and ensure you’re only considering properties within your means.

Some landlords may impose certain restrictions, such as:

• No pets.
• No smoking.

Always check with our main branch for specific property restrictions before applying.

If you have a pet, it’s important to be open with potential landlords from the start. Here are some tips to help you secure a pet-friendly rental:

• Provide details: Be prepared to share a pet biography or even a reference from a previous landlord.
• Reassure your landlord: You might offer a larger deposit or agree to have the property professionally cleaned at the end of your tenancy.
• Get it in writing: Ensure permission for your pet is included in the tenancy agreement to avoid any future misunderstandings.
• Tenant’s Holding Deposit

To reserve a property, a holding deposit no more than one week’s rent is required, in accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (England only). This deposit will be withheld if:

• You or any guarantor withdraw from the tenancy.
• You fail a Right-to-Rent check.
• You provide false or misleading information.
• You fail to sign the tenancy agreement (and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 days, unless a different deadline is mutually agreed upon.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the government’s guide, How to Rent: The Checklist for Renting in England.

Once you’ve found a property that meets your needs, you’ll be asked to complete a simple application form. Anyone over the age of 18 who will be living at the property must fill out this form. Be sure to complete all sections accurately to avoid delays. Your references will be processed confidentially and as quickly as possible.

You may need a guarantor if:

• You are a student.
• You are unemployed or your income is below the required threshold.

Landlords typically require tenants to have an annual salary of at least 40 times the monthly rent. For example, if the rent is £500 per month, your salary should be at least £20,000 annually. The guarantor will need to complete an application and pass reference checks. They will also need to sign a Deed of Guarantee before the tenancy can proceed.

Typically, it takes at least fourteen working days from the point of application to move into your new home. While every effort will be made to meet your preferred move-in date, we cannot guarantee specific timelines. You will be informed once your application has been approved, and we will arrange a mutually convenient date to commence the tenancy.

You will be required to set up a direct debit or standing order for your monthly rent payments. This will ensure the rent is paid in advance on the specified date each month, as outlined in your tenancy agreement. Please note, for joint or multiple tenancies, only one mandate will be accepted.

Remember: Paying your rent on time and in full is crucial. Late or missed payments can impact your credit score.

At the start of your tenancy, if Susan Spokes Real Estate manages the property, your deposit will be securely held with The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS). If your landlord is responsible for managing the property and deposit, they will inform you of their chosen protection scheme and provide all necessary details regarding your deposit.

For more information about The Deposit Protection Scheme for managed tenancies, please visit: www.depositprotection.com.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your deposit.

At Susan Spokes Real Estate, we will notify the gas, electricity, and water suppliers of your move-in, providing them with the initial meter readings. Additionally, we will inform the local authority for council tax purposes. However, we recommend that you also contact these utility providers directly to ensure your details are received and processed correctly. This helps avoid any potential delays or misunderstandings.

If Susan Spokes Real Estate is not responsible for managing your tenancy, we will provide you with the Landlord’s contact details for reporting any maintenance issues.

For managed tenancies, you can reach our emergency line at 07877 779038. For non-urgent repairs, please contact us at 0191 541 2208.

If you have an emergency when our branch is closed, take the following steps:

• Ensure that you are experiencing a true emergency and that the issue cannot be resolved during our opening hours. Please remember that if a contractor is called out as an emergency when a repair is not justified, or your landlord IS NOT on a fully managed contract you will be liable for all costs.