RENTING PROCESS

Property Search

Start by considering your priorities, including location, number of bedrooms, commuting times and lifestyle needs, whether that’s a garden, proximity to schools or access to transport links.

It’s also important to consider your budget before starting your search. Make sure you have a clear idea of how much rent you can comfortably afford, taking into account your regular monthly outgoings and other financial commitments.

You can view our available properties by clicking the button below. If we don’t currently have anything suitable, you can register your requirements with us and we’ll let you know when a matching property becomes available. Alternatively, you can browse property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket.

Arrange a Viewing

Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in, contact us as soon as possible to arrange a viewing, as properties can let very quickly. Viewings are available Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm, so try to be as flexible as possible with your availability.

Where possible, we recommend viewing the property in person. This gives you the opportunity to get a proper feel for the condition, space and location, ask us any questions and make sure the property is right for you before deciding to proceed.

Securing a Property

Once you’ve found a property you would like to rent, you’ll need to submit an application. This is your opportunity to provide us with some further information about yourself and your circumstances, including who will be living at the property, your employment situation, preferred move-in date and how long you are looking to rent for.

We often receive multiple applications for our properties, so all applications received will be put forward to the landlord for consideration. This information helps the landlord make an informed decision about which application they would like to proceed with.

If your application is successful, we’ll contact you to request a holding deposit equivalent to one week’s rent. Once this has been paid, the property will be secured for you while the referencing process is carried out.

Referencing

Once the holding deposit has been paid, we’ll carry out reference checks through our preferred referencing provider, Goodlord. Applications are completed online and the checks will include:

• Credit check
• Employment reference
• Affordability check (based on a minimum annual income of 30x the monthly rent)
• Previous landlord’s reference
• Proof of identity
• Right to Rent check (to confirm your eligibility to rent in the UK)

If you have any credit issues or believe there is any other information that may affect your referencing, it’s best to tell us straight away. If an issue does arise, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tenancy cannot proceed and, depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to proceed by providing a suitable UK-based guarantor.

Please note: All tenancies are subject to satisfactory reference checks, and prospective tenants will not be able to move into the property until these have been successfully completed.

Tenancy Agreement & Legal Documents

Once your references have been successfully completed, we’ll prepare your tenancy agreement and email it to you to sign electronically. Please review the agreement carefully and make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing.

You’ll also receive the relevant legal and property documents, including the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), Gas Safety Certificate (where applicable) and deposit protection information.

Once the tenancy agreement has been signed, you’ll enter the pre-tenancy period. Before your tenancy begins, you’ll need to pay your first month’s rent and the remaining deposit balance, ready for move-in day.

Move-in Day

On the day your tenancy begins, please come to our office to collect your keys, remembering to bring photo ID and any other documents we have asked you to provide. Please also ensure that all required payments have been made beforehand.

We’ll provide you with a detailed inventory and schedule of condition, including meter readings, along with any final information or instructions you may need.

You’ll be asked to sign the inventory to acknowledge receipt, but will then have 7 days to check it thoroughly and let us know of any amendments before it is deemed accepted.

Help & Support During Your Tenancy

If your property is managed by Trueman Estates, our dedicated and friendly team are here to support you throughout your tenancy. Whether you need to report a maintenance issue or have a general query about your tenancy, we’re always happy to help.