Tenants
Property To Let
Guidance And Information for Tenants
Full guidance on the renting process through Oxfordshire Estates can be found here. We strongly recommend that you read the current 'How To Rent' booklet and understand the nature of permitted payments, both of which are available to download below:
Booking A Viewing
Check out our range of properties online. You can book a viewing by email, phone or visiting our office.
Reserving a property: when you find the home you want, please fill out our application form and return it to us by email to [email protected] and pay your refundable holding deposit. Please read carefully a copy of our tenancy agreement which will state your obligations and rights under the final agreement before paying your holding deposit.
Payment of the holding deposit reserves the property for you and takes it off the market. The holding deposit is per property, not per person and is 1 weeks' rent (calculated as one month's rent x 12 / 52). We accept payment by bank transfer, credit or debit card.
Referencing: your completed application form will be submitted to a third-party referencing company who will process your form and carry out the following references:
- Landlord check (if you are currently renting)
- Credit check
- Income
Right to rent check: under section 22 of the immigration act all landlords and lettings agents are responsible for checking that all tenants and occupiers have the 'right to rent'. This means that all prospective tenants must be a british citizen, a european economic area (EEA) citizen or a swiss national or have the right to rent in the uk.
We shall require you to produce your original passport and visa / residency permit (if relevant) which we shall photocopy, verify and retain for our file. Copies of your identification will then be confidentially destroyed within 12 months.
Unfortunately, if you do not have the ‘right to rent' we cannot proceed with your application.
Tenancy agreement, payment of deposit and the 1st month's rent: once your references have been received, we shall email or post your tenancy agreement to you.
An invoice for the first month's rent and deposit of 5 weeks' rent (less any holding deposit) will be included with our bank details to arrange payment. Please note all funds must be cleared before the start date of your tenancy and when keys can be released to you.
The deposit is a sum of money held by the Deposit Protection Service Ltd (DPS). This is security against the property being left damaged or rent not being paid. Further information about the DPS is available in the tenancy agreement or on their website www.depositprotection.com
Our tenants welcome pack will also be sent to you which includes the following documents for you to retain during your tenancy:
- Gas safety certificate (if the property has a gas supply)
- Electrical safety certificate
- Energy performance certificate
- DPS terms and conditions
- How to rent March 2023 document
- Instructions for new and vacating tenants
- Information about maintenance and your responsibilities as a tenant
Moving into your new home: when your move in date is agreed, we give you the option of meeting at the property or collecting keys from our office.
Inventory
On moving into your new home, you will receive either an electronic or hard copy of the inventory for the property. The inventory is a professional report which lists everything in the property and its condition when you moved into the property. You must check that the inventory is accurate, add any additional comments you may have and sign the inventory within 7 days of receipt.
Property Management
If the property you are renting is managed by Oxfordshire Estates you are required to pay your rent direct to us. We shall also organise regular inspections of the property and act as your point of contact for any maintenance issues or other queries you may raise during your tenancy.
Tenancy Renewals
Three months before your tenancy comes to an end, we shall contact you to find out if you want to renew. We shall arrange a meeting, then contact your landlord to discuss your plans and their objectives. Subject to your landlord's approval, we shall draw up a new tenancy agreement. You may also have the option of continuing your tenancy on a month by month (periodic) basis.
Check Out
When you leave the property, we shall carry out a final inspection/check out. We recommend that you are present during this appointment. We shall refer to the inventory and check that the property has been left in good order.
Deposit Refund
In accordance with the terms of your tenancy agreement we shall inform you within ten working days of the end of the tenancy if we propose to make any deductions from your deposit. Payment of the deposit or any balance will be made within ten working days of the landlord and yourself agreeing the allocation of these funds.
All deposits are registered and protected through Client Money Protect. View our CMP certificate.
Interested In Letting
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