So you’re looking to move home? Read more about how we run our application process here at Redfern Property in Aberystwyth.
- View a property – get in touch with us to book a viewing. While it isn’t 100% necessary, we do prefer that where possible you view the property before applying. You can get in touch with us for a viewing by social media, our website, email or telephone.
- Applying for a property – you liked the property, and now you want to apply. You can apply (and only apply) online! You’ll also need to know the following:
- References: There are many reasons we take references, and these can be either from your current landlord, a general reference of a person who knows you or from your employer. At the end of the day, we want to make sure you can meet the demands of your contract, and it would be unfair to have you sign knowing you might not be suitable for the property or able to afford in the long run. We would never share the information we are given during a reference, and only use it following on from your application.
- Read the tenancy agreements: You’ll also get to read over the draft tenancy when you apply online. The tenancy is often referred to as an AST – an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and generally they run for 6 months and are then rolling on a monthly basis. Be sure to read over all of the points in the agreement, and seek legal advice if you have any questions. We’re obviously happy to help if you have any queries, but at the end of the day we do work for the landlord.
- Signing the agreements: We do our whole application process online, and as such, you can now digitally sign your Tenancy agreements, meaning you don’t need to arrange an appointment to see us. We also make sure that our landlords also view and sign the Tenancy agreements as well, so you can be rest assured and safe in the knowledge that they won’t be changing their minds part way through the tenancy.
- Paying the deposit: The deposit is usually equal to the first months rent (but do check as it can vary for student properties), and is used to protect the landlord against any damages that might happen during the tenancy. With all of the deposits we accept, they are registered directly with the Deposit Protection Scheme – a government run scheme to ensure deposit money is looked after correctly and not spent during your tenancy. When we register a deposit with the DPS, we are asked to nominate a Lead Tenant – this tenant is responsible for the DPS account and dispersing the deposit at the end of the tenancy.
- Initial rent payment: The first rent payment is made when you sign the contract for your new property. This is made to Redfern Property in most cases, if not we’ll give you the right details to make sure you pay the deposit to your new landlord. The rent payment needs to be cleared into the account by the move in date.
- Collecting your keys: Keys will be available to you on your move in day – this is usually the first day on your contract. We won’t be able to release keys if the deposit and first months rent have not been paid/not cleared in our account. We keep a spare of each key for when we require access to the property – if you lose a key we can replace for £7.50, and if you need to call us out if you lock yourself out, a call out fee of £20.00 applies.
- Receiving and checking your inventory: When you move in to one of our fully managed properties (and sometimes the tenant find properties) you will be given a dated and detailed inventory of the property prior to your contract starting. The purpose of the inventory is to ensure that the property is returned to the landlord in much the same condition at the end of the tenancy – it also covers tenants for example for any aesthetic damage that may already be on items of furniture. It is important you check the inventory thoroughly within 7 days of moving into the property.
- Paying rent after moving in: For any fully managed properties, rent payments during your tenancy will be made to Redfern Property. For any other properties that we advertise the first rent will usually be paid to us at Redfern Property, and subsequent payments to the landlord direct.
- Enjoy your new home!