Tenant FAQs

How do I find out the electricity or gas supplier for a property?

To find out who supplies your gas call National Grid on: 0845 608 1524. To find out who supplies your electricity call EDF on 0800 028 0247.

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Who pays for utilities � are these included in the rent?

Normally the tenant takes over all of the utilities including water and council tax, which are not included in the rent.

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How do i pay rent?

Rent is paid monthly by standing order from your bank and is normally set up to leave your account 3 days prior to your rent due date (this is typically the date on which you moved in, although not always). Be sure to tell us if your circumstances change, for instance you change banks or your employment situation changes as we can give you advice.

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How long does a rental tenancy last?

Most rental tenancies are for 12, 18 or 24 months. Where the Landlord has instructed or accepted a break-clause, this normally provides a right for either the Landlord and/or the Tenant to terminate the Agreement 6 months prior to the end of the tenancy - but with 2 months notice period (thus terminating the tenancy 4 months prior to the natural expiry of the tenancy). This notice has to be served in writing by the party giving notice.

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What type of rental agreement is used?

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is used for the majority of residential tenancies. This is normally a standard contract between Landlord and Tenant.

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What are the different Tenancy Deposit Schemes?

There are three authorised providers, two custodial scheme�s one administered by �The Deposit Protection Scheme�, the other by �The Dispute Service�, and an insurance based scheme operated by �Tenancy Deposit Solution Ltd�.

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Who pays for check in and check out inspections?

The Landlord pays for the Inventory and the check-in at the start of the tenancy and the Inventory check out at the end of the tenancy. To ensure proper compliance with the tenancy deposit scheme it is important that the inventory, check-in and check-out are carried out properly to provide documented proof of condition at each point.

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Can I rent a room to a flatmate or flatshare?

All occupiers of a property must be declared on the tenancy agreement. If not this would be breaking the terms of the tenancy agreement. Where several people are sharing a property the tenants are �jointly and severally� liable, and as such as listed on the AST. This expression means that each tenant is liable to for any breach of agreement and to pay all of the rent.

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Who should arrange and pay for repairs at the property?

The landlord is generally liable for repairs or maintenance to the property and this will either be arranged through your property manager or directly with the landlord if they manage the property. However tenants are responsible for breakages and damage which is not deemed fair wear and tear. If these are not repaired this would normally be deducted from the deposit unless otherwise agreed. A tenant should report repairs and breakages as soon as they occur.

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Who do I deal with - the landlord or the letting agent?

The letting agent will handle viewings, references, preparing agreements and getting you moved into your property. From that point if the property is managed you will report any repairs or queries to you Square Quarters dedicated property manager or the landlord manages the property they will be your point of contact.

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If I want to leave the property can I give notice at any time during the tenancy?

If you leave a tenancy earlier you will be liable to pay the rent up until the end of the tenancy. However whilst in negotiations you may be able to ask for a break clause in the contract that will give you the possibility of getting released from the contract 4 months early with two months notice.

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What do I do if I lose my job or need to move out before the end of the tenancy?

If you urgently need to move out of a property due to a change of circumstances, it would be best to contact us to find out if the landlord would be happy for you to be replaced on the tenancy. The new tenant will need to pay the administration fee incurred for the referencing and drawing up a variation to the original tenancy agreement subject to the landlord�s agreement. The outgoing tenant will still be liable under the tenancy agreement until the replacement has actually signed the tenancy agreement and paid there share of the move in monies.

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What happens if the landlord won�t return my deposit?

Landlords are required by legislation to pay a tenant�s deposit into a separate custodial or insurance based Deposit Scheme. If only part of the deposit is in dispute, then the remainder that is not in dispute must be returned to the tenant within a maximum of 10 days of the tenancy ending. Deposit schemes vary but they all act to protect a tenant�s deposit. If you rent a property through Square quarters the landlord is likely to use Tenancy Deposit Solutions scheme � to find out more see http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/tenants/how.aspx

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