Redfern Property is open from 9am to 5pm daily, Monday to Friday. We are available for viewings from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5pm with prebooked appointments, and can also do evening appointments when prebooked also.
In short, yes. Viewing not only makes sure you actually like the property and it’s suitable for your needs, but it also gives the chance for the landlord or letting agent to assess your suitability for the property as well. It’s a chance for both parties to make sure that this really is the right, or wrong, property for you.
Properties that are fully managed by Redfern Property mean that we are responsible for them. If you are renting from us and in a fully managed property, please report any issues or faults to us directly. We have already agreed authorisation up to a set budget with each landlord, and can authorise repairs and so forth quickly. In some cases (for example a new fridge needed) we will need to authorise spending of funds with the landlord.
It is common for the majority of our properties that are fully managed for tenants never to come into contact with their landlords - it might be that the landlords don't live locally.
If the rent doesn’t include the bills, we will inform the utility companies when you move in and take meter readings on your move in day. They will then be able to contact you (hopefully with a lovely letter welcoming you to your new home) and you can discuss with them directly.
In most cases yes, but in all cases you will need express permission from either Redfern Property or your landlord. In some cases, a landlord with a large portfolio of houses may have a special deal with a certain supplier, and they may not be able to get out of their own contracts.
This all depends on your credit score and also your affordability. We do ask for proof of income/proof of wage when we run our initial checks, however if we’re unsure that you will be able to cover the rent throughout the length of your tenancy, or if you credit rating is a little lower than we would like, then yes we will ask for a guarantor. The guarantor doesn’t have to pay anything, but is responsible if your account falls into arrears. We will ask the guarantor for proof of income also.
We consider applicants with housing benefit in a good chunk of the properties on our list, but we would need a guarantor who can cover the rent in all cases.
This has to be one of the most common questions we get asked – and yes in some cases this isn’t a problem. Unfortunately, not all landlords are happy to be letting their houses and properties to pet owners, but we do try our best to ensure we have suitable properties for those who do have pets. You can read more about being a landlord and tenant with pets by clicking here.
No one! The deposit is registered straight away with the DPS, the Deposit Protection Scheme which is set up by the Government to make sure that landlords and letting agents don’t pocket the money and get interest too! An agent or landlord has 30 days to register your deposit, and you’ll get an email from the DPS confirming it has been done.
On the move in day you will need to have booked an appointment with Redfern Property to collect your new keys! You will also need to make sure that by this date you have paid your deposit, and also the first rent that is due (this may be for one month or perhaps a term if you are in a student property).
In the event that you are looking to move out of the property (be that a property you rent from us as an individual or within a house share), one of the options available to you is tenant swapping. This means that if you are looking to leave before your contract ends, you can find a replacement tenant to take over your agreement and responsibilities. We are happy for this and will help you in anyway that we can, however for any potential tenants you do find would be subject to our usual application fees, references and credit checks. We would also take them for a viewing around the property.
Our standard tenancy agreement is 6 months in length. After this, the majority of our contracts then run on a "Monthly Rolling Basis", which means that the contract is valid month to month. We can on request provide a new contract for a set length of time, but have found that the rolling contracts suit the tenants.
There are a few options here, but first thing first please do come and speak to us as soon as you know. We’re here to help as much as we can, and can offer you some advice! Our role as a letting agent is to negotiate between landlord and tenant in order to find a suitable resolution. Please do bear in mind that it depends on the situation and also the landlord completely - we cannot decide fro the landlord to release or not release you from the contract.
Pop in for a chat if you’re looking for some advice in regards to this.
If you are coming to the end of your fixed tenancy and don't wish to renew, or you are on a rolling tenancy and wish to leave, we would require 30 days written notice. This gives us some time to inform the landlord, draw up a new advert and take viewings for the property. Ideally, we'll have a new tenant lined up as soon as possible from your move out date.
Notice should be written to us, and not provided verbally. Verbal notice will not be accepted.