This information is intended to give prospective tenants (applicants) an idea of what is expected when taking a tenancy offered by a Springfield client landlord. By necessity, it is broad based and some parts may not be applicable in every case. The tenants' terms of application with Springfield and the tenancy agreement between a tenant and the landlord takes precedence in every case.
GENERAL
In all but a few exceptions applicants are required to be in current full time employment and to have been for more than two years. Where this is not the immediate case you should be willing to prove your financial means as required. Our landlords require us, as agents, to furnish them with detailed information on any prospective tenant we recommend. It is therefore imperative you give as much detail as possible during enquires or any subsequent application. Failure to do so will not only waste your time, but ours and our client's too.
SEARCH & VIEWING
Please do use our free search facility on this site. Viewings are also free. However, if you want to view a particular property you will need to register first. You can initiate this process by completing the online registration. It is important you are frank and truthful with this initial enquiry. We are tasked by the client to match tenants to property and as such you may not be permitted to view all you would like. Following viewing we will do what we can to communicate any queries to the client; however we will not enter full negotiations unless we have a completed tenancy application and your initial holding deposit is paid. (Returnable where agreement in principle is not reached between both parties)
YOUR APPLICATION
If you wish to take up a tenancy you must first complete our tenancy application returning it together with the relevant holding deposit. (Passport number is required from foreign nationals). You will need to supply addresses covering a 3 year period. Please note: a credit search will be taken so adverse credit history must be declared. In such a case a guarantor may be required. Sharers or couples, whether married or not, are required to apply on separate applications.
We regret we are unable to allocate a property to you until we have received an application together with the relevant holding deposit. Please note all negotiations are 'subject to contract' and where we decline to accept an application we will be under no obligation to justify a decision. Following an agreement in principle, we will apply for your references and the property will be removed from our register (let subject to contract). If you're referencing is unsuitable we may charge you a fee, proportionate to the work involved. If you withdraw your application, you will forfeit your holding deposit.
REFERENCES
These generally include your current and (where applicable) previous or new employer together with your current or previous landlord or agent if renting. A character referee is required (if you do not rent). Self-employed applicants will need to supply details of regular income. Where suitable references cannot be obtained we reserve the right to seek a guarantor, rent in advance or additional deposits as required.
CONTRACTS
The tenancy agreement is a legal contract between you and your landlord. It will detail your obligations and responsibilities in maintaining the tenancy and property. The agreement, together with any relevant notices, will be signed prior to occupation or the issue of keys.
INVENTORY
Our inventories note all that is in a property together with its condition. You are normally asked to sign the inventory with the contract. You then have up to seven days to check its accuracy against the property. Any discrepancies should be reported within this time otherwise the inventory will be regarded as correct and treated as such on check out.
RENT
Rent is due as per the tenancy agreement and generally by banker's order. It is normal to pay rents on the first day of each month. You will, therefore be asked to pay at least one month's rent to move in with the balance of the second months rent due on the first day of the following month. Thereafter a full month's rent will be due on the first of each month in advance. Part rents are calculated on a daily basis over 365 days.
DEPOSITS
All deposits are protected under the governments Tenancy Deposit Scheme. These are taken prior to occupation and held against damages or other unrecoverable expenses. Your contract specifically excludes the use of a deposit as rent or the payment of interest.
INSPECTIONS
Where we manage a property we will inspect it on a regular basis. These inspections are an opportunity for you to highlight any difficulties you may be experiencing and for us to look at the way you care for the property. We expect the property to be presented in a clean and tidy manner.
INSURANCE
The landlord insures the property but not your own tenant possessions. It is a requirement of the tenancy agreement that you maintain adequate contents insurance including accidental damage cover. You must show proof of suitable cover. If not you will be required to sign a tenant insurance proposal prior to taking possession.
SUB-LETTING/SHARING
You are not permitted to sublet without express written permission. If you wish to share, or if a joint tenant leaves, you may seek a replacement with permission. That person will be referenced by us in accordance with our procedures.
EARLY SURRENDER
Your contract may have a break clause allowing you to surrender your lease early. If this is the case you remain responsible for all costs and expenses in the reletting of the property and until such time as a new tenant (approved by us) takes up the lease.
END OF TENANCY
When your tenancy comes to an end you will need to comply with the contractual terms in your tenancy agreement. Once notified, we will detail the actions you need to take. In brief, once keys have been returned we will carry out a final inspection of the property and deal with the deposit subject to the terms of Tenancy Deposit Scheme where applicable.
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