For tenants

The rental process

Our step-by-step guide

1 Viewing a property

Once we have discussed which properties may be suitable, viewings will be  arranged for a time convenient to you as best we can (including early evening and saturday mornings). We will accompany your viewing and provide what information we can, though certain enquiries may need to be referred to the landlord.

2 Reserving a property

To confirm your interest in a property, we will ask you to pay a holding deposit equivalent to 1 week’s rent. Pending satisfactory referencing and landlord approval the holding deposit becomes part of your tenancy deposit.

The holding deposit is non-refundable if you decide not to proceed with the tenancy, or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application. Your statutory rights will not be affected and will be respected at all times.

3 Moving in costs

Pre-tenancy payments are as follows: 

Holding deposit – equivalent to one week’s rent (rounded down to the nearest pound). If the tenacy proceeds then the holding deposit becomes part of the tenancy deposit.

Please note that you may forfeit your Holding Deposit if:

  • You fail to return completed referencing paperwork within 48 hours;
  • Your application is unsuccessful due to false information;
  • You withdraw your application more than 48 hours after reserving the property;
  • You fail to pay your check-in balance when due and/or sign the Tenancy Agreement on time/as agreed - usually within 15 days of paying the Holding Deposit unless otherwise agreed.

1st Month’s Rent - unless specifically agreed otherwise the rent is payable calendar monthly in advance. The 1st month’s rent must be paid before the start of the Tenancy. Please note the balance of the 1st month’s rent will be payable 2 weeks after the date of the reservation payment when the Tenancy is due to start 4 weeks or more after this date.

Tenancy Deposit - equivalent to one month’s rent unless otherwise stated (maximum 5 week's rent). The Tenancy Deposit must be paid before the Tenancy begins and is registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme or other approved scheme.

Please note any balance due must be paid in full in cleared funds prior to the commencement of the Tenancy, this should be bank transfer.

Please see our Permitted payments & fees section for an example of a breakdown of these costs, together with details about fees that apply during your tenancy.

4 Checking into your property

We will accompany you to the property, hand over keys and read meters (we notify utilities and council tax); and provide you with an inventory to sign and return within 7 days.

We provide an information sheet detailing, to the best of our knowledge, the whereabouts and operation of the gas, electric, water and heating installations, as applicable.

We will give you the details of how to make your rent payments; and contact information for support during your tenancy.

We aim to help make the start of your tenancy as stress-free as possible.

Welcome to your new home

Andy Roberts - MARLA

Property Manager

How can we help you?

Complete the enquiry form and we'll put you in touch with someone who can help.

This form collects your name and contact details so that we can respond to your message. Please read our privacy policy for details on how we use and store your personal information.