Instantly explore your home, road, or area

" A RECENTLY IMPROVED AND MODERNISED TWO BEDROOMED END-TERRACED HOUSE WITH FANTASTIC POSITION CLOSE TO WEST BROMWICH TOWN CENTRE, MOTORWAY NETWORK, PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS AND OFFERED AT AFFORDABLE RENT

The unfurnished accommodation has neutral decoration and briefly comprises two reception rooms (both with gas fires), modern fitted kitchen, downstairs bathroom with shower, two double bedrooms. Garden to rear. Gas central heating system. Brand new carpets. Available now!

INFORMATION FOR TENANTS

Renting a Property via Scriven & Co.

Introduction

Renting a property for the first time is an exciting prospect but you may have many concerns as to how the letting procedure works or, alternatively, you may be concerned as to how you may be dealt with, either by a letting/managing agent or a landlord. Listed below are questions that we feel many prospective tenants may want to ask, which are then answered in the same order:

Why should I rent via Scriven & Co
Do Scriven & Co., operate a mailing list for rented properties
What is the procedure when I find a property I like
What happens whilst the credit check is being undertaken
How do I know my application fee will not be wasted
What happens once an acceptable credit referencing report is received
How much do I have to pay in advance
How do I know that my deposit is safe
How is the rent normally paid
What other bills will I have to pay in addition to the rent
Do I have to notify anyone of my change of address
Who should I contact


Why should I rent via Scriven & Co
Scriven & Co., have been letting and managing properties since 1937 and aim to offer a personal service to our clients, dealing with tenants fairly and in a professional manner. We consider all of our properties to be of a satisfactory, or better, standard of presentation. We are members of both the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Association of Residential Lettings Agents and, as such, are bound by the Code of Conduct of each organisation.

Do Scriven & Co., operate a mailing list for rented properties
Yes. However, in the majority of cases we tend to telephone interested parties rather than write to them as our rented properties are rarely available for long periods of time.

What is the procedure when I find a property I like
Each adult over the age of 18 who proposes to live at the property must complete an application form authorising us to undertake a standard credit check. This is currently undertaken by an independent credit referencing company. When applying for a property via Scriven & Co a charge is made (contact us for our current charge) and is payable by each adult to cover our charge for obtaining the credit reference report. Once this form(s) has been completed we will check that, from the information provided, both we and our clients feel your application is acceptable. Only when the application has been forwarded to the credit referencing company does your application fee become non-refundable. The credit referencing process takes, on average, approximately 3-4 days as e-mails and faxes are used where possible. Some references are back the same day, but this greatly depends upon the provision of relative contact numbers and the efficiency of employers to respond quickly. You can help by requesting referees to respond as soon as possible.

What happens whilst the credit check is being undertaken
As long as there is no unreasonable delay which is due to either yourself or one of your referees, viewings on the property will cease (although telephone numbers of interested parties will be taken in case the tenancy does not go ahead), effectively holding the property for you on a "subject to contract" basis.

How do I know my application fee will not be wasted
It is up to you to answer all questions honestly. If we feel that from the information given on the form that there is a reasonable chance of your application being refused, we will discuss this with you before the application is processed. We aim to treat all tenants/prospective tenants fairly. Therefore, if our client instructs us not to let the property to you (once your application has been processed) for any reason other than an adverse credit referencing report, your application fee will be returned to you. We would stress that whilst we can never give any guarantees in this respect, such an occurrence is very rare and is usually due to an unforeseen change of circumstances.

What happens once an acceptable credit referencing report is received
We will contact you by telephone and arrange a date for you to come into our offices to complete all the necessary paperwork, pay a deposit together with your rent in advance and collect the keys for the property. Circumstances vary but, typically, if a property is empty and ready for the tenancy to commence, this appointment is made for approximately 3 working days' time. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for tenants to expect that, where an empty property is concerned, they can be in their new home within 5-10 working days.




How much do I have to pay in advance
Apart from your application fee mentioned earlier, we ask, on behalf of our landlords, for a deposit equating to approximately six weeks' rent. This deposit is fully refundable once the property is vacated as long as the property is left in the same condition as when you took it on and you have fulfilled all your obligations under the tenancy agreement.

In addition to the refundable deposit, under normal circumstances you will be asked to pay a months' rent in advance, although this can vary slightly dependent upon whether it is the beginning of a month or not when the tenancy begins.

How do I know that my deposit is safe
When we act as managing agents for the landlord of your property, your deposit is held by ourselves in a non-interest bearing account in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' accounting rules. As a professional company we would wish to disengage ourselves from any landlord whom we felt dealt with such issues in an unreasonable manner. If we do not manage the property we will inform you.

Of course, we act for the landlord (from whom we have to take our instructions) but to ensure that tenants and landlords are happy, we provide both a written schedule of condition of the property and photographic schedule at the commencement of the tenancy. Tenants have the opportunity to bring to our attention any amendments they feel should be made to these schedules within seven days of the commencement of their tenancy. These schedules are then used, once the property is vacated, to determine any change in the condition of the property. They also act as reminders to tenants to enable them to carry out any necessary works prior to them vacating the property, thus ensuring their deposits can be refunded in full.

In addition, since April 2007 all new agreements where a deposit is paid must be protected under the Tenancy Deposit Regulations. It requires the landlord/agent to join a statutory scheme to safeguard the tenants deposit, Scriven & Co are registered with The Dispute Service (TDS ) information on this can be found on their website www.thedisputeservice.co.uk

How is the rent normally paid
When the deposit and initial payment of rent is made (and the keys collected), we will ask you to complete a standing order mandate, instructing your bank to pay your rent on the agreed date (usually the first day of each month). This means that you are in total control of the payment going out and saves you having to worry about another chore to do when you are busy moving into your new home. However, because you are in control of the payment, it is up to you to let your bank know when a tenancy ceases.

What other bills will I have to pay in addition to the rent
It is usual for rents to be paid on an exclusive basis. This means that the tenant pays the rent to the landlord (via ourselves when we act as managing agents) and then council tax to the council tax department and water rates, electricity and gas to the appropriate utility companies direct. You will also be responsible for the payment of any telephone charges, if one is connected.

The landlord will be responsible for insuring the structure of the property and any items belonging to him, which are left in the property. You will be responsible for insuring your own possessions. You may wish to consider taking out an accidental insurance policy to cover damage to the landlord's contents, though this is not compulsory.

What proof of identification do I have to provide
Prospective tenants are required to bring in two original pieces of evidence ( one of which must be photographic ) to prove their identification and current address. Acceptable forms of identification include a passport, or current U.K. driving licence (with photograph), together with a utility bill. The forms of identification should detail your current, permanent address and utility bills should be no more than three months old. Mobile telephone bills are NOT acceptable. If you foresee any difficulty providing these particular forms of identification, please contact us for further advice.

Do I have to notify anyone of my change of address
When we visit the property a few days before your tenancy commences, we will take all meter readings and note them in the schedule of condition (of which you will be given a copy) so that you can check these as soon as you take over the property. Whilst we will then write to the council tax department and utility companies informing them of your commencement of tenancy, together with relevant meter readings, it is your responsibility to contact them to set up the account in your own name and at the same time arrange a method of payment with them.

You will be responsible for notifying any other parties you wish to inform of your change of address, e.g. your employer, bank, mobile telephone provider, etc. You will also be responsible for ensuring that your post is redirected once you vacate the property.

Who should I contact
Please feel free so speak to our Quinton office on 0121-422 4011 (residential lettings & management department, option 2) for clarification on these or any other issues, to arrange a viewing or to go on our mailing list.





THE PROPERTY MISDESCRIPTIONS ACT 1991
The Agent has not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures and fittings or services and so cannot verify that they are in working order or fit for the purpose. A Buyer is advised to obtain verification from their Solicitor or Surveyor. References to the Tenure of a Property are based on information supplied by the Seller. The Agent has not had sight of the title documents. A Buyer is advised to obtain verification from their Solicitor. Items shown in photographs are NOT included unless specifically mentioned within the sales particulars. They may however be available by separate negotiation. Buyers must check the availability of any property and make an appointment to view before embarking on any journey to see a property. "