Information for Tenants |
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If you would like to view one of our available properties, you can either telephone or submit and enquiry form. All viewings are accompanied and are conducted between 9.30am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays. If you would like to set up a viewing outside of these hours, we will do our very best to accommodate your request.
Please bear in mind that, in most instances, we will need at least 24 hours notice in order to arrange a viewing.
Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 6 months as is the legal requirement
We require all tenants to advise us as soon as possible of any repairs required within the rental property. Repairs should be advised on-line in the first instance or by telephone if urgent.
Application procedure
In order to be fair to all prospective tenants, our properties are let on a first-come first-served basis. If, having attended the viewing, you would like to lease the property, we will require the following from you in order to ensure the property is taken off the market whilst you go through our referencing process:
• A fully completed and signed tenant application form
• £50 Application Fee per tenant *
The reference form(s) may be taken away for completion, however, they must be returned within three working days otherwise the property will be placed back onto the open rental market.
On receipt of the reference forms, your details will be processed. Reference taken up and credit check carried out. In most cases, you will be notified of the outcome within 48 hours, where possible.
If you are successful, you will have five working days from notification of the outcome of the reference to sign the lease agreement and pay the first month’s rent. N.B. Each tenant must also provide proof of residency and a recent pay slip from their current employer. If the above criteria are not met, Claremont Property Letting Management reserves the right to resume .
If a guarantor is required, they will need to complete a separate reference form and must sign a guarantor’s covenant, which legally binds them to the terms of the lease, prior to the lease being signed by the tenants. Please note that they must also be a UK resident.
* Standard reference fee; However, this is dependent upon residency and marital status.
Moving in
The move in day can be arranged Monday to Friday between 10am – 4pm. On the day of entry, you pay the deposit, which is equivalent to one month rent, complete and sign a standing order form, and collect the keys, and welcome pack.
All our properties are thoroughly inspected prior to tenants moving in. We will check to see if everything is in order for you to move in. However, if you feel we have missed something, please let us know so that we can have it fixed.
We will inform the council of the change of occupant(s). You must also advise the energy supply companies of your moving into the property.
Please note that the monthly rent does not include council tax, gas, electricity, TV licence, telephone, broadband or communal charges such as stair cleaning or gardening.
It is very important that the inventory, which details the contents, condition and decorative order of the property, is checked thoroughly by you within 10 days of the commencement of your tenancy. Any additional comments should be noted on the inventory before you sign and post it back to us. The return of your deposit is based upon the condition and contents as signed for in this inventory. Any deductions, due to damage caused during the tenancy or for replacement of missing items, will be made from your deposit.
We strongly advise all our tenants to take out contents insurance to safeguard their personal possessions against damages or a break-in.
References
As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer (or college), and a previous or current landlord. We may also require a personal reference, and sometimes a guarantor. In addition a credit check will be undertaken. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references.
Rents
Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly, and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account.
Deposit
A security deposit of a minimum of one month's rental must be paid, and will be held by ourselves as stakeholders in a secure client account throughout the tenancy term. This is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by the tenant to cover rent.
Fees
We charge £50 per applicant to cover administration and referencing costs.
Insurance
Contents insurance is the responsibility of the Tenant.
TENANT'S RESPONSIBILITY
The responsibility for maintenance issues are not always that of the landlords. As a tenant, you must take proper care of the property and you are required to inform us in good time if works are required, otherwise you could be held negligent if you do not.
Stair cleaning
Often this will be carried out on a rota with the occupiers of the other flats, which the tenants must arrange with the other occupants of the stair/block.
Washing machine/dishwasher
The filters must be cleaned regularly and washing machines must never be overloaded. Alien items (e.g. coins, metal objects) must never be loaded into a washing machine.
Light bulbs/smoke alarm or carbon monoxide batteries
These must be changed by the tenants and left in working order on checkout unless we are advised to the contrary within three days of moving in.
Fuses
As with light bulbs, these are the tenants' responsibility to replace.
Hoover/vacuum cleaner
Always check the hoover bag and that there are no blockages before reporting a fault.
Blocked drains
Never try and put food stuffs or hygiene items down a plug hole or toilet otherwise they will become blocked.
Mould in the bathroom
This is because of poor ventilation and a lack of heat. Tenants must keep the bathroom free of a build up of condensation. Open the window and door if necessary, always leave the extractor fan on, if fitted, and use the radiator or towel rail where available. If you notice any mould or a build up of condensation in the bathroom you must report it to us immediately.
Pilot lights
Always read the instructions, usually located on the inside panel, on how to re-light the pilot light before contacting us.
Toilet seat
If it becomes loose you must tighten the screws before they break.
Vermin control
It is the tenants' responsibility to keep the premises clean and the floors free of foodstuffs and bin bags otherwise mice, especially in the autumn, will enter the property in search of food and warmth. Try to block up the hole using wire wool and ‘duck' tape where they are entering the property or set a humane trap.
As a tenant, you will be liable for the costs of repairing the above if the problem is deemed to be your fault.
Landlord's responsibility
Plumbing
In the first instance, the tenant should always try and clear blockages using either a plunger or a strong drain cleaner. If there is a leak, try and minimise the flow of water, or use a bucket to catch it, and then contact us immediately. If the leak is originating from your flat, turn off the water at the stop cock (usually located by the utility meters or under the kitchen sink) immediately. If the leak is from a neighbouring property, tenants should inform them as soon as possible and they should call out their own plumber. If the tenant cannot make contact with that neighbour and the water leak is becoming excessive, the tenant should contact our maintenance department to inform them of the leak. Tenants must not attempt to stop a leak from a neighbouring property.
Tenants must report all leaks to us so we can arrange to inspect the damage.
Boiler
All boiler (heating or water) related problems should be reported to us and we will arrange for them to be fixed as soon as possible. If, at any time, you smell gas you must open all the windows, shut off the gas supply at the meter, call Transco on 0800 111 999 immediately and not us, and avoid naked flames and all other ignition sources.
Appliances
If the washing machine, hoover, dishwasher, shower, oven etc break down we will endeavour to get these repaired as soon as possible. However, please bear in mind that an appliance, which is covered by a guarantee, might take longer to repair.
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Claremont Properties currently can also offer properties in the following locations :
Hawick
Galashiels
Kelso
Selkirk
Jedburgh
Other
Information for Tenants, Scottish Borders
Report a Repair
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