Please provide the following details of a UK based parent or other adult who is prepared to act as your financial guarantor for your rent and other tenancy obligations. The person will be required to sign a legally binding Deed of Guarantee. If you are unable to provide a UK based Guarantor you will be required to pay the total rent due for the full fixed term in advance.
Please provide the name, address, telephone number and email address of your current landlord – please state HALLS if you are currently living in University Halls.
Once the Tenancy Agreement has been signed the Holding Deposit will be credited against the deposit of £500 each and the £400 per tenant balance will then become due for payment.
The applicant, agent and landlord agree that the period to enter into an agreement is extended until 31st January 2021 or one month from when the application is received, whichever is the later.
The applicant understands that if any applicant, or our guarantors, provide information that is not satisfactory to proceed, or decides to withdraw the application before signing the Tenancy Agreement, the Holding Deposit paid will be forfeited. The applicant also understands that our Holding Deposit will only be refunded if the landlord withdraws the property from the rental market before the Tenancy Agreement is signed.
Under the Housing Act 2004, where a deposit is taken for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy in England and Wales it must be protected and registered within a Government approved scheme. If Students@Cardens manage the property, or are instructed by the Landlord to register the deposit on their behalf, it will be held with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme under the terms of their insurance based scheme – www.tds.gb.com. If the deposit is paid to the landlord the deposit will be registered within 30 days of receipt and the name and details of the scheme provider will be stated within the Tenancy Agreement.
Students@Cardens use Goodlord to create the Assured Shorthold Tenancy and to process online signing. Please confirm we can pass your details on to them. As part of their service they contact utility providers to set up new accounts in your names. In addition they can provide additional services you may require – Broadband; Insurance; TV – but these are not obligatory.
Please confirm that the contact details provided within this application can be stored and used by Students@Cardens to process your application and create an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. This information will be held securely and will only be for the purpose of renting this property, and other services provided by Cardens Estate Agents Ltd.
COVID-19 POLICY:
As part of our commitment to keep you, the current tenants and our staff safe, and reduce the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus, all property viewings and applications for the 2021/22 Academic Year will be made online through our website at www.cardensestateagents.co.uk. The lead tenant will make a single application on behalf of the group and will provide all the information requested. This process will include paying the full Holding Deposit, to secure the property, which is £100 for each tenant. (e.g. A payment of £500 will be required to secure a 5 bedroom house.) At a later date it will be possible to arrange for a single person to visit the property on behalf of the group but this is unlikely to be until early in 2021.
HOLDING DEPOSIT:
Once paid in full the Holding Deposit secures the property pending the landlord’s agreement to proceed with your application. The Holding Deposit is £100 per applicant and is no more than one week’s rent. When you all enter into (sign) the Tenancy Agreement the Holding Deposit paid will be credited against the tenant’s deposit leaving a balance of £400 each to pay. If you withdraw your application at any time before the Tenancy Agreement is entered into you will forfeit the Holding Deposit paid. You will also forfeit the Holding Deposit if you provide false or inaccurate information as part of your application. However, should the landlord withdraw the property before you have signed the Tenancy Agreement your Holding Deposit will be refunded in full.
IMMIGRATION CHECKS:
By law we are required to see and take copies of all applicants’ passports (not copies) at the time of paying the deposits. Where required we will also need to take copies of appropriate visas, and any other supporting documentation, for international students. Depending on the Covid-19 situation at that time this may need to be completed via a video call.
SERVICES:
Unless otherwise stated in the Tenancy Agreement tenants will be responsible for the payment of gas, electricity, water, sewerage charges, telephone, internet and TV licence for the fixed tenancy term. The landlord will ensure that the main utilities (gas, electricity, water) are connected from the start of your tenancy. We have partnered with a company called Goodlord who will normally set up all of your gas, electric and water bills.
The account will automatically be set up in your name for your move in (you should receive an email) - note you are free to move to any energy supplier you like at any time.
What Goodlord will do:
If you would like to set up a direct debit please send an email requesting this to: switchme@goodlord.co
Process:
TENANCY AGREEMENT:
This will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for a fixed term of 11 months commencing from August/September 2021 until July/August 2022 (unless otherwise stated). All tenants will sign the same joint and several liability Tenancy Agreement. Once the Tenancy Agreement is signed it is legally binding on all signatories. Any agreed changes thereafter (subject to agreement by the landlord) will incur a £50 amendment fee, (including VAT). Any new applicant will be required to pay the appropriate holding deposit of £100 (including VAT).
DEPOSIT:
Each tenant will be required to pay a deposit of £500. The tenant’s deposit is to be used to cover any dilapidations at the end of the tenancy and will not be accepted in lieu of rent. Tenants staying on in the same property, for the next academic year, will be required to pay an additional deposit as it is for a new agreement and is not transferable. It will be registered in a Government approved deposit scheme.
RENT PAYMENT:
The first month’s rent must be paid by 18th June 2021. Subsequent rental payments must be made on or before the rent due date by standing order mandate to avoid late payment fees being charged. The bank account details into which payments are to be made are outlined in the Tenancy Agreement. Although we will assist you to set up a standing order payment it is the responsibility of the tenant to make sure it is activated, and there are sufficient funds available, so that payments are received by the due date - and late payment charges avoided.
INVENTORY:
Although your accommodation will be furnished it will not normally have kitchenware provided (cutlery, plates, knives, forks, spoons, pots, pans, bed covers, etc.). An Inventory and Schedule of Condition is normally prepared and provided at the start of each tenancy. At the end of the tenancy term the property will be checked thoroughly against that inventory. The tenants accept responsibility to indemnify the landlord for any cost to repair, reinstate any lost or damaged items, any additional cleaning required and the cost of the replacement or repair following damage or dilapidation to fixtures, fittings and decoration. You will be required to clean the property to a professional standard at the end of the tenancy term. A reasonable allowance will be made for normal wear and tear.
INSURANCE:
The landlord is responsible for arranging insurance of the building and for the contents they provide. The tenants are responsible for insuring their own personal possessions and we recommend that you also insure the landlord’s possessions against accidental damage.
MAINTENANCE:
The landlord is responsible for keeping the property in good repair and ensuring the property is in a habitable condition. The landlord is also responsible for ensuring that all appliances, fixtures and fittings supplied by them are in safe working order. Tenants are responsible for reporting all maintenance problems to the landlord or the landlord’s agent promptly. Any costs for maintenance/repairs caused as a result of the tenants’ negligence, misuse, or any other breach of the tenancy conditions, will be the responsibility of the tenants. All other charges will be paid by the landlord. Regular management visits will be made by the landlord or his agent.
GENERAL GUIDANCE NOTES:
Please remember that you are renting a private dwelling on a joint and several liability basis. When choosing your group please be absolutely certain that you are happy with your choice of housemates. If, for any reason, one housemate does not pay their portion of the rent, the landlord or agent can demand that any shortfall is paid by the other tenants. Before doing so all other avenues would be followed first: reminders sent and guarantors contacted. Similarly, damage deposits are held as a whole on the property, so any deductions will be taken out as a whole and not apportioned individually unless agreed by the house group.
