Tenants - FAQs
If you’re looking to rent you may have many questions about how to secure a rental property, tenancy agreements or perhaps you just want to know what should happen with repairs. As North London’s most trusted agent, we’re here to guide and help you through the process of becoming a Tenant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I register with an Estate Agents?
Q: What options do I have for renting a Property?
Q: Where can I search for your available properties?
Q: What references do I need to get?
Q: What does referencing involve?
Q: How long is your minimum contract?
Q: How do I arrange viewings?
Q: What happens on a viewing?
Q: Do I need to pay a deposit?
Q: What does the Inventory process involve?
Q: If I have any problems during my tenancy who do I speak to?
Q: Why do I need a guarantor?
Q: What will my guarantor need to do?
“How do I register with an Estate Agents?”
To register with Princess Park Estates, you can simply visit us at your local branch, request a call back from our expert agents or complete our online registration form.
Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll start searching for properties that meet your criteria.
“What options do I have for renting a Property?”
Princess Park Estates offer a number of options for renting a property, ranging from a house, flat, or a studio.
“Where can I search for your available properties?”
Our Client Managers are always available to help you to find your perfect home. We invite you to our office to have a coffee and a chat with our consultants and search for your property. You can also search for properties online and use our mobile website as well. You can also find us on: Rightmove, Zoopla, Primelocation, Globrix.
“What references do I need to get?”
When you have found your perfect home, you will need to put down a holding deposit to secure your new home. Once the holding deposit is obtained, we will contact the landlord and inform them that we have found a tenant for their property. Once the landlord confirms they are happy with the choice of tenant, we will then take the property off the market.
We would now be required to carry out the following reference checks:
- Employer letter – indicating salary and job status
- Landlord letter – if managed by the agent we will require letter from the agent, if not then landlord.
- 3 months up to date bank statements
- 3 months up to date payslips
- Photo identification (passport, driving license)
- Professional Credit Referencing
Once this is all agreed and the landlord is happy with your references, you are ready to move into your new home. You are advised to pay 1 month’s rent in advance and 6 weeks as a deposit which will be kept in a deposit protection scheme (DPS).
“What does referencing involve?”
It is standard practice for an Estate Agency to check their tenant’s references. It involves checking information that you provide about your employer, your previous landlords and history.
“How long is your minimum contract?”
The minimum tenancy agreement is for a 6 month period.
“How do I arrange viewings?”
Once you have registered with our Lettings Team, please visit our office at the Friern Barnet branch.
We can then start searching for the right property and arrange viewings for you.
“What happens on a viewing?”
We provide accompanied viewings 6 days a week, from early morning to late into the evening. You will be chauffeured – allowing you to sit back and relax, or you can meet our agent at the property if that is more convenient.
You will have plenty of time to ensure you’re happy with the space, appliances and décor of the property, whilst your Sales Consultant or Lettings Consultant will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about the property or local area.
Should you have any questions that can’t be answered on the spot, we will follow up so you are able to make a fully-informed decision about the property.
“Do I need to pay a deposit?”
A deposit equivalent to 5 weeks rent (or in the case of rental income of more than £50,000 per annum, then 6 weeks rent) must be paid in clear funds when you sign the tenancy agreement and is held by Princess Park Estates as Stakeholder for the duration of the tenancy agreement and where applicable Princess Park Estates will register the deposit monies with a deposit protection scheme on the landlord’s behalf.
“What does the Inventory process involve?”
This is a list of every item contained within a property and its condition. It is advisable for tenants to check each item on the list before signing any contracts, and often people take photographic evidence to give extra protection and avoid unnecessary disagreement further down the line. The inventory will be key in determining how much of your deposit you retain at the end of a tenancy.
Landlords will typically schedule regular quarterly checks to assess the condition of the property and the items contained.
When you leave the property, you will have the option to run through the inventory checklist. If any damage to items has occurred since the beginning of your tenancy, then you will need to agree on repair costs or replacements.
You should have no problem retaining your full deposit if you are up-to-date with your rent and your Landlord is satisfied with the condition of your property.
“If I have any problems during my tenancy who do I speak to?”
If any problems arise for any of our management properties please give us a call or visit our office.
“Why do I need a guarantor?”
On occasion, we may ask for a guarantor as your earnings may not be considered enough to pay the rent, or you may not achieve the appropriate rating set by the Referencing Agency. We will explain all of the details to you, but rest assured this is not an uncommon request.
“What will my guarantor need to do?”
They will be required to have sufficient earnings to cover your rental commitment, as they will be responsible for paying any rental arrears if you cannot, or damages costing more than the deposit.
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