Renting Through Us

We know that many people have had a bad experience renting. Here at George Edwards we do what we can to make that experience as easy and smooth as possible. The flowing guide is designed to help you through renting with George Edwards.

1. Searching for a rental property

Although it is never too early to start looking, we would recommend waiting until six to eight weeks prior to when you want to move in, unless you are looking for student accommodation. The rental market is fast moving, and you are unlikely to be able to secure a property before this.

2. Finding a Suitable property?

Once you have found a suitable property you will need to fill out our registration of interest form, a copy of which can be found here (Link to registration of interest form – Still to come). On the form there will be several questions:

  • George Edwards will need to know the full names, current residential address’ and date of birth for all adults wanting to move into the property, this includes anyone over 18, along with the number of children.
  • It is important to establish if you can afford the rent of the property, therefore at this stage George Edwards will ask you to self-declare the income for each adult, this includes any benefits you are entitled to. We would also ask you to declare any adverse credit you may have. If you do not have a high enough income or suffer from bad credit this does not stop you renting the property, it simply means that we may ask you to supply a guarantor. In most circumstances we will expect any guarantor to be a homeowner. Please be aware if you are accepted for a property and place a holding deposit and you later fail to secure the property due to false or misleading information provided, any holding deposit you have paid will be forfeited.
  • Details of any pets you intend to live at the property. Please be aware you may be asked to pay a higher rent, or deposit depending on the property to cover potential damage to the property.
  • Details of the property you wish to rent.

3. Securing your rental property

Once you have been accepted for a property you will be asked for a holding deposit which will be equal to one weeks rent. Only once the holding deposit has been paid will the property stop being advertised. We will then check that the information we have been provided is accurate. This includes running checks against your income, previous landlords and your credit file. George Edwards will do what we can during this process, but it is your responsibility to make sure that you supply the information requested in a timely manner. In England, we will also establish your right to rent within the UK at this time.

4. Let Agreed

Once you have passed references, we will go through the legal process of signing the tenancy. It is at this point you will be supplied with all of the appropriate documentation and will be asked to supply the remaining four weeks deposit. This will take your deposit up to five weeks which will be secured in an appropriate deposit protection scheme.

5. Move in

The moment you have been waiting for – moving in day! A representative from George Edwards will arrange to meet you at the property. They will give you keys as well as run through the property and the inventory. The inventory is a record of the condition of the property at the time you moved in. This is for the benefit of both yourself and the landlord and will be used to determine any disputes at the time your tenancy ends so it is important you agree with the report.

Tenant Fees and Terms

Holding deposit – One Weeks Rent

To reserve a property, a deposit is required of one week’s rent. This will be withheld if you withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide false or misleading information, or fail to sign your tenancy agreement within 14 calendar days.

Security deposit – Five Weeks Rent

This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Late / Unpaid Rent – 3%

Interest will be charged at 3% above the Bank of England base rate from the rent due date until paid, in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please note this will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.

Lost Keys or Security devices

Tenants are liable for the cost of replacing any keys or security devices. The cost of a new key will be £15 per hour of staff time plus 45p per mile if George Edwards have to travel to you, along with the cost of cutting a new key. If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant along with staff time at the above rate

Change of Sharer - £50

If you need to change the names of your tenancy agreement, a standard charge of £50 will apply for the first change, along with an additional £25 per person to cover referencing and associated costs.

Chargeable Costs to Tenants Amount
Holding Deposit One weeks rent
Security Deposit for rent under £50,000 pa Five weeks rent
Late or unpaid payment 3% above bank of England base rate applied after 14 days
Change of Sharer per person £50 + £25 for additional changes
Keys / Security devices From £15 per hour + mileage and key cost

TENANT RESERVATION FORM