Tenant Referencing

All prospective Tenants are interviewed before being recommended. If accepted, full referencing will then take place via an independent referencing agency or alternatively, a manual referencing system will be used, where the following references will be obtained and checks made:

• Employers and Income
• Affordability of Rent
• Identity Authentication
• Previous Landlord (if applicable)
• Credit/Adverse Data Check
• Fraud check
• Bank Validation

Deposit

Arrangement will be made to collect a deposit from the prospective Tenant at the start of the tenancy to cover for any dilapidations and damage, plus for any other breach of their obligations under Tenancy Agreement. This is usually equivalent to one month’s rent. Accord will hold the deposit on behalf of all parties as Agent. It will be registered with Accord’s tenancy deposit scheme, The Dispute Service, in accordance with legislation.

At the conclusion of the tenancy, the Landlord and Tenants must provide Accord with written confirmation of any amounts that are to be passed to the Landlord to cover any dilapidations. The deposit will then be apportioned accordingly. Any disputed amounts must be forwarded to the tenancy deposit scheme who will adjudicate on the dispute.

Rent Payments

The first month’s rental is collected in advance. A standing order mandate will be put in place for the collection of future rental payments, either directly to you, the Landlord, if the Letting Service is used or to Accord’s client account if Full Management is used.

If you chose the Full Management Service, the rent is paid into your bank account promptly, usually the first working day following receipt of the rent or the rent due date, whichever is later. Payments can be made by cheque if preferred.

Tenancy Agreements and Notice(s)

A Tenancy will be prepared for all Tenants to sign before moving into the property (except where the Landlord provides his own). The Agreement will include comprehensive terms for Tenants to adhere to. Under the Housing Act 1988 (amended) an Assured Shorthold Tenancy will be used, except in cases of a company let or high rent tenancy, when the relevant Agreement will be drafted. The standard Notice for Repossession will be drafted to bring the tenancy to an end at the expiry of the Agreement.

Inventory and Schedule of Condition

A comprehensive Inventory and Schedule of Condition should be prepared to ensure that a detailed, accurate description of the property and its fixtures, fittings and where applicable, furniture, is in place at the start of the Tenancy. It is this document that will form the base line for any disputes at the end of the tenancy over damages and dilapidations and it will be used as evidence by the adjudicator of the relevant tenancy deposit scheme should a dispute arise. In view of this, Accord recommends that a professional, independent Inventory Clerk is appointed to carry out the preparation of the Inventory. Accord can arrange this on your behalf and prices start at £60, depending upon the size of the property and its furnishings.

Energy Performance Certificate

From 1st October 2008, before a property is offered to let, it must have an Energy Performance Certificate. The Certificate gives premises a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, where ‘A’ is the most efficient and with the average being ‘D’. Prospective tenants will be able to compare the energy efficiency of different properties. The property will need to be surveyed by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor and the report provided includes suggested improvements. EPCs are valid for ten years although if any significant changes are made to the property which may enhance its rating, it may be beneficial to have the property re-inspected. Accord will happily recommend a local qualified independent Domestic Energy Assessor and charges start from £65.