This information has been created to inform you of the processes and possible charges involved when renting a property through The Lettings Boutique. Some fees listed below are only valid for properties managed by The Lettings Boutique whilst others are valid for both managed properties and let only properties. The document also lists the documents required from you to enable us to reserve a property subject to references. It is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute a contract between the applicant and landlord or The Lettings Boutique.

 

Your responsibilities and obligations as a tenant are detailed in the Tenancy Agreement. You will need to sign the Tenancy Agreement within 7 days of receipt of the holding deposit or first application form, whichever is sooner. A sample copy of the Tenancy Agreement is available to be e-mailed across to you free of charge upon your request so that you can see in advance what these responsibilities and obligations are. It will also give you the opportunity to ask us anything you do not understand. Alternatively, you may wish to speak to the Students Advice Centre.

 

The Property

 

The properties are let as seen. Any special requests regarding re-decoration, furniture, etc. must be made and agreed between the landlord and tenant before the application process commences. Please ensure that any requests agreed are written into your Tenancy Agreement. Basic items of furniture are included in your tenancy, as the properties are occupied on viewing please ask for clarification on any additional items of furniture/appliances to avoid any misunderstanding or disappointment.

 

Joint Tenancies

 

Where there is more than one tenant, all obligations, including those for rent and repairs can be enforced against all of the tenants jointly and against each individually.

 

The application process/reserving a property:

 

To reserve a property all tenants are required to pay a holding deposit of one weeks rent. You will also be required to complete an application form and provide the following documents/ID:

 

• Passport and/or Visa proving the right to rent in the UK

• Driving licence

• Student Card

• Proof of home address dated within the last 6 months

• Council tax exemption form

 

Holding Deposit

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The holding deposit is equivalent to one weeks rent and is payable to reserve the property. For example, if the rent is £85.00pppw each of you will be require to pay an £85.00 holding deposit. This holding deposit will then be transferred to the deposit for the property.

 

Should one or all of the applicants withdraw from the proposed Tenancy prior to signing the Tenancy Agreement, or the landlord is forced to withdraw as a result of references which are not forthcoming, or which could not reasonably be considered as satisfactory, or if fraudulent information is provided, or if one or more tenants fails the right to rent checks, you will forfeit the holding deposit.

 

Should the landlord withdraw from the proposed tenancy prior to entering into the Tenancy Agreement for reasons other than those described above, you will be entitled to the return of your holding deposit. The holding deposit or balance as applicable is only refundable via bank transfer.

 

Deposit

 

A deposit of £200.00* per person is payable on signing the tenancy agreement. The Lettings Boutique are members of The Deposit Protection Service. All deposits required to be protected under the Housing Act 2004 will be registered with the DPS unless otherwise requested by the landlord.

 

For joint tenancies a lead tenant will need to be nominated to act on behalf of all tenants.

 

Please note that interest isn’t paid on the deposit.

 

Any holding deposits paid will be transferred to the deposit. For example if the deposit for the property is £200.00 and if you had previously paid an £85.00 holding deposit the remaining deposit payment would be £115.00.

 

*Some landlords may charge more so the amount may differ.

 

Tenancy Agreement/Renewals

 

You are required to sign the Tenancy Agreement within the next 7 days. The tenancy agreement will be sent as an e-sign document for you to review and sign.

 

Once the Tenancy Agreement is signed and executed all parties will be legally bound and the Tenancy must continue until the end of the agreed fixed term unless all parties expressly agree otherwise.

 

In the event of any tenants not signing the agreement within 15 days of receipt of the holding deposit, The Lettings Boutique remains the right to re-market the property and if that should occur the holding deposit would not be refunded.

 

From time to time tenants do drop out of University and no longer require their room in their student house. In these circumstances you can advertise for a new tenant yourself. Upon finding a suitable replacement tenant a Deed of Assignment can be drawn up to assign your liability to the new tenant. You can instruct a solicitor to draw up the Deed of Assignment for you which will need to meet the requirements of the landlord. Please note that you will be liable for the cost of drawing up this document.

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There is an additional charge if you instruct The Lettings Boutique to advertise the room for you.

 

In the unusual event that the full house no longer requires the property after signing the tenancy agreement then the landlords re-letting fees would apply.

 

A list of our letting fees are published on our website, link below:

 

The Lettings Boutique Student and Residential Letting Agents

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(Please note that you will still be liable for the rent until a new tenant, who meets ours and the landlords requirements, moves into the property. There are additional charges if you would like us to conduct viewings on your behalf).

 

Other Charges

 

Other possible fees and charges are listed below and are generally only applicable to our managed properties. Let only landlords will generally decide their own call out fees:

 

Variation of Tenancy: £50.00 including VAT per agreed variation. This includes:

 

• Permission for pets letter

• Permission to sub-let

• or any other amendment which alters the obligations of the agreement

 

Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s): Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). Lock change due to lost keys: as per locksmith’s charge (2 spare keys must be provided for The Lettings Boutique and the Landlord)

 

Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy. Please see our re-let fees on the link below:

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The Lettings Boutique Student and Residential Letting Agents

 

Payment of any utilities, communication services (eg. telephone, broadband), TV licence and council tax.

 

Payment for any contractual damages in the event of the tenant's default of a tenancy agreement. Any other permitted payments under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

 

Emergencies

 

Please only contact The Lettings Boutique after office hours in the case of emergencies. If you contact us after 5pm or at weekends for non-emergencies then you may be charged £15.00 per hour.

 

Please note that if you lock yourself out of your room/property you will be required to call the locksmith for access and the call out charges are as follows:

 

Monday – Friday Call Outs:

 

£40.00 + VAT (between 8am and 6pm), £50.00 + VAT (between 6pm and 9pm), £60.00 + VAT (between 9pm and midnight), £80.00 + VAT (between midnight and 8am).

 

Weekends and Bank Holidays:

 

£60.00 + VAT (between 8am and 6pm), £75.00 + VAT (between 6pm and 9pm), £90.00 + VAT (between 9pm and midnight), £120.00 + VAT (between midnight and 8am).

 

If you lose keys or get locked out of your room the above call out charges will apply unless you can wait until the next working day to gain access to your room in which case you can borrow the spare key from the office if it is available. If any damage is caused by breaking into rooms then you will be charged.

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We do recommend keeping a spare room key in a safe place in the house so that in the event of accidently locking your key in your room you will still be able to gain access. This way you will save any unnecessary call outs. It’s fine to have additional room keys cut as long as they are returned to The Lettings Boutique at the end of your tenancy.

 

Rental Payments

 

Tenant rental payments must be paid on the dates as stated in your tenancy agreement. Payments must be made by standing order.

 

Should you be reliant on your student loan to pay your rent you will need to request an extension on your rental payment dates at least one month before the due date as all payments need to be agreed with the landlord in writing. Should you wish to request a rent payment delay for this reason, please submit your request in writing to admin@thelettingsboutique.co.uk and scan in a copy of your student loan finance document showing the anticipated arrival time of your loan monies.

 

Please note if we don’t receive this request at least one month prior to the payment date that you will be charged interest, as stated below, if the payment of your rent isn’t made on the date stated in your tenancy agreement.

 

Where rent payments are late for any reason interest will be accrued at a rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate, per day from the date your rent is due.

 

End of Tenancy Charges:

 

Any cleaning/damages will be charged to you at the rate charged by the contractor who has completed the work. Cleaning prices start at £90.00 for a one bed property excluding ovens and carpets. Other contractors’ prices vary between £10.00 to £65.00 per hour depending on the type of work/skill required.

 

As we have to use licenced waste removal companies to remove any items left at the property the minimal call out charge is £50.00 even if it is just for one bag of rubbish!

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Disclaimer 

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The information in these Terms & Conditions is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing but is subject to change without notice.

 

For up-to-date pricing on call outs, please contact the locksmith directly (his contact number is provided in your welcome pack).

 

For up-to-date pricing on re-advertising, please visit our website.

 

Please note that cleaning and contractor charges vary, and these are just example costs.

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