Once you have found a suitable property, you will be in a position to make an offer to the Landlord for consideration. Please note that any offer made will be subject to you fulfilling reference criteria.

Once an agreeable offer has been accepted and the Let agreed, you will be required to complete a Tenants Application Form and provide a non-refundable administration fee per adult. At this point you will be asked to formally identify yourself to comply with Anti Money Laundering Legislation and 'Right to Rent' checks. Photocopies of your passport, or photo driving license and birth certificate will be taken to identify you.

References will then be applied for and the tenancy agreement will be drawn up, which will form the basis of the agreement between you and the Landlord. There are generally three types of references that are undertaken: -

1. Credit Check - A Credit Check will look into your past addresses and credit history. The results of which determine whether you are considered eligible to rent the property.
2. Employment Reference - Your existing employer will be contacted to confirm your employment status (temporary or permanent), length of service and current salary.
3. Landlord/Agent Reference - If you are currently renting a property, your existing landlord/letting agent will be contacted to confirm your current monthly rent, if the property has been well maintained and that the rent has been paid on time consistently.

You will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the property. This needs to be paid in cleared funds by either a bank transfer or a cash payment. Rent is to be paid monthly in advance commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter by a bank standing order. Money must reach the landlord or Agent bank account by the rent due date. The deposit is held for the full tenancy against loss, dilapidations or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy. Whilst this is usually the equivalent of 1 month's rent, this may vary due to individual circumstances. It is returnable at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property. Deductions may also be claimed from your Deposit via the Deposit Protection Service for any damage that has occurred during the tenancy, as well as cleaning charges should the property and garden areas not have been left in a satisfactory condition.

If a Landlord has agreed to take a pet at the property you wish to rent, you will be liable to pay an additional deposit for any damage caused to the property by the animal, this usually amounts to 1 weeks rent, however this amount may vary depending on the type of animal.

Sample Mills are members of the Deposit Protection Service, and all security deposits are sent away and held in accordance with Financial Conduct Authority client money regulations.

The tenant is legally responsible for the rent for the full term of the tenancy, which is usually 6 months. However, if special circumstances mean you have to leave the property early, we will always try to find another tenant as soon as possible, however you will still remain responsible for the rent until the new tenant takes over.

All utilities such as gas, electricity, water, telephone and council tax are the tenant’s responsibility. When you move into the property, we will provide you with a list of useful numbers to help you get set up with the relevant providers.

Your possessions will not be covered by the landlord’s contents insurance. You may wish to consider arranging your own insurance.

Unless you have prior, written permission from your landlord you cannot redecorate the rental property.

As a general rule, your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the fixtures and fittings included the rental of your property. Very rarely landlords insert exceptions into an agreement. If there is an exception, make sure you are aware of this and you agree to it before signing your tenancy.

Sample Mills are members of Client Money Protect (CMP). More Information can be found at www.clientmoneyprotect.co.uk. A copy of our CMP certificate can be found underneath the logo section at the bottom of our website. (Sample Mills & Co is the trading name of M & S Enterprises (Devon) Ltd and M & S Enterprises (Devon) Lettings Ltd.)

You will be required to pay a 'holding deposit' which is a maximum of 1 weeks rent (per tenancy). The holding deposit will be used towards the first month's rent due if the tenancy is acceptable. However, the deposit may be a non-refundable payment:-

• Should you decide not to progress your application/sign your tenancy agreement within 15 calendar days (unless otherwise mutually agreed) or;
• If you have given false/misleading information on the application form or;
• If any applicant fails a 'Right to Rent' check.

It will be returned to you in the event the landlord is unable to proceed.

You will need to pay the rent and a tenancy deposit which is normally equivalent to 1 month's rent or as agreed between all parties, and not exceeding the limit as shown below.

From 1 June 2019 landlords in England are limited to the equivalent of 5 weeks rent for new and renewed tenancies (or 6 weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more). This is calculated by dividing the annual rent by 52 and multiplying by 5 (or 6 if rent is £50,000 or more) and will be required to be paid at the start of the tenancy, and is subject to referencing.

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 permits certain fees / charges to be made as set out:-

Default fee for late payment of rent

Chargeable from 14 days arrears calculated on the interest at 3% above Bank of England base rate on the late payment of rent for each day that the payment is outstanding.

Loss of a key or other security device

Landlords and letting agents can charge a tenant a fee to cover the cost of replacing the lost key or security device (e.g. fob, electronic device for security gates/garage doors etc).

Payment on variation, assignment or replacement of a tenancy - £60.00

This is when a tenant has requested it, landlords and letting agents can charge to vary, assign or replace a tenancy.

Payment on termination of a tenancy

Landlords and letting agents can require a tenant to make a payment for an early termination of the tenancy agreement at the tenant's request.

Company application fee - £100.00

Please see below our Permitted Tenant Fees under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 transitional provisions, where fees are written into existing tenancy agreements. These apply to all tenancy agreements granted or signed and executed before 31st May 2019 and can be charged up until 31st May 2020:

Negotiating and Agreeing a Renewal/Extension to your Tenancy - £60

A one-off charge for each renewal/extension. Includes negotiating and agreeing a tenancy renewal between the tenant and landlord. Production of a new tenancy agreement signature. This is your tenant's cost, payable upon renewal (the total cost is split between the landlord and the tenant).

Change of Sharer - £60

Fee to be paid where a landlord agrees to an existing joint tenant's request to leave the tenancy and be replaced with a new joint tenant. This covers the cost of referencing a new tenant and replacement tenancy agreement.

The Property Ombudsman Ltd (TPO):
www.tpos.co.uk

The Deposit Protection Service (DPS):
www.depositprotection.com

Client Money Protect:
www.clientmoneyprotect.co.uk