Approved Tenant Charges

The only payments you can expect in connection with a tenancy are:

1. The rent
2. A refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than five weeks’ rent. This will be held in a Deposit Scheme as security for the performance of all obligations in connection with the tenancy for example in the case of any damage at the end of the tenancy or a charge to an independent company providing a deposit alternative service, if offered.
3. A refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than one week’s rent. Example - equivalent to One Weeks Rent – i.e. £1,000.00 p.c.m rent equates to £230.76 holding deposit).
   We can retain in this holding deposit if you:
   • Provide false or misleading information which reasonably affects our decision to let the property to you (i.e. calls into question your suitability as a tenant, this can include your behaviour in providing the false or misleading information).
   • Fail a right to rent check
   • Withdraw from the proposed agreement (decide not to let) or
   • Fail to take reasonable steps to enter an agreement (i.e. responding to reasonable requests for information required to progress the agreement) when the landlord and / or agent has done so. Where we wish to retain the holding deposit, we will set out in writing the reason for this within 7 days of deciding not to enter the agreement or the ‘deadline for agreement’. The ‘deadline for agreement’ for both parties is usually 15 days after a holding deposit has been received by a landlord or agent (unless otherwise agreed in writing).
4. Payments to change the tenancy when requested by the tenant (e.g. a change of sharer or permission to keep pets at the property) capped at £60.00 inc. VAT.
5. Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant and agreed by the landlord. This would not exceed the financial loss that a landlord will suffer in permitting, or reasonable cost that have been incurred by the agent in arranging for, the tenant to leave early.
6. Payments in respects of utilities, communication services, TV licence and council tax.
7. A default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of lost key/security device.

Terms & Conditions

1. Upon receipt of your signed application form, an offer letter or email will be sent to you detailing the terms of the tenancy and confirming an agreed move in date (subject to contract). The letter will also request that you provide details of a post tenancy forwarding address (if not already provided), which is a requirement for the tenancy deposit schemes and prescribed information. Any requests to change the move in date must be received by Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd no less than 24 hours in advance of the agreed move in date, otherwise the date may need to be altered or amended.
2. The deposit is payable to Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd five working days before the move in date after receiving satisfactory references for all tenants, and will be held in accordance with the mydeposits Deposit Scheme. You will be notified in writing when the deposit due to be paid and how much it relates too. If we do not receive the deposit within the period mentioned, your application will cease, and you could lose the holding deposit already paid.
3. It is a requirement that Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd receive two forms of identification for all tenants and guarantors prior to the signing of the tenancy agreement. One form of ID must have a photograph (Passport/Driving Licence), and the other must show proof of your current address (bank statement/utility bill). The address shown must be the same as the current address that you have provided on your application form. We require sight of the original documents, we will take copies of these to hold on file in line with the anti-money laundering legislation and GDPR’s. If we do not receive these by the tenancy start date, the move in will need to be postponed. Any new agreements will be issued at a cost of £60 (inc VAT).
4. Right to rent – In addition to the above, we have a duty to ensure that tenants have a legal right to rent in the UK. Please see the attached guide to see what checks we must undertake to ensure compliance.
5. Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd will provide the tenant(s) with a standing order mandate at the start of any tenancy which details the payment due date, amount, and reference. It is the tenants’ responsibility to ensure that they arrange this standing order with their bank immediately after the start of the tenancy. It is also their responsibility to ensure that no payments are made after they have vacated the property.
6. An Assured Shorthold Tenancy is typically for twelve months.
7. Failure to attend any inspection (where we do not hold keys to the property) or to attend any appointment will result in a fee of £12 (Inc. VAT). The tenant will be advised of any inspections/appointments in writing or via email by Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd with at least 48 Hours’ notice. This fee also applies if we have not been provided with up-to-date contact information by the tenant and you do not receive our correspondence (see section 8 below)
8. Most correspondence sent to you by Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd will be electronic (email). If you change your email address or phone number from the details provided by you on your original application, and do not inform us, you could become liable for costs as referred to above, where we have tried to contact you on the details we hold on file.
9. We do understand that sometimes people’s circumstances can change suddenly. If you request early release from any tenancy agreement, and the Landlord is agreeable to the release, then you agree to the following;
10. Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant and agreed by the landlord. This would not exceed the financial loss that a landlord will suffer in permitting, or reasonable cost that have been incurred by the agent in arranging for, the tenant to leave early. We can only start advertising the property for you once this has been paid.
11. To continue paying the rent as agreed at the start of the tenancy until the date that any new tenant takes possession of the property.
12. When you vacate the property, Town & Country Southern Lettings Ltd will arrange a check out procedure to assess the condition of the property and to take any relevant meter readings.
13. We will advise you in writing when any check out inspection will take place and you are welcome to be present if you desire. You must ensure that all keys listed in your original inventory are returned to us before 6pm on the last day of your tenancy or we will not be able to perform the checkout. Please also be advised that you will be charged a full days rent for each day, or part of, after the end of tenancy date that the keys are not returned. If any listed keys are not returned, you agree to be liable for the cost of replacing all associated locks.
14. All of our properties have a strict no smoking policy throughout. If any evidence is found to indicate that you as tenant are smoking in the property, or allowing anyone else to smoke in the property, then by signing this agreement you are agreeing to contribute towards the cost of re-decorating the property throughout.
15. Any reports of anti-social behaviour will be treated very seriously. Please ensure you adhere to the terms listed in your tenancy agreement. In the event of any complaint being made against you, it is unlikely that your tenancy will be renewed, and we may take steps to end your tenancy.