Tenants Guide

Renting Through Villager Homes

At Villager Homes, we understand that becoming a tenant can come with a lot of questions and responsibilities. That’s why we believe it’s important to understand the legal aspects of being a tenant before you start your property search.

Tenants Responsibilities

As a tenant, you will have certain responsibilities for the property. These may include paying council tax, utility bills such as water, gas, and electricity, TV licenses, telephone bills, and subscriptions such as Sky or broadband. Your tenancy agreement will outline exactly what’s expected of you, and we encourage you to read it carefully. However, our dedicated lettings team is always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We hope this guide will provide you with the advice and information you need to secure a rental property and understand your tenancy agreement. Our team is committed to helping you navigate the rental process and making your experience as a tenant as smooth as possible.

Contact Villager Homes today to learn more about our available properties and how we can help you find the perfect rental home.

Searching For Your Property

At Villager Homes, we understand that finding your ideal rental property can be a daunting task. That’s why our lettings team is here to help.

We manage an extensive range of properties throughout the region, with something to suit every preference and budget. Simply talk to our lettings team and let them know exactly what type of property you are looking for. We’ll work with you to find your ideal home and make the rental process as smooth as possible.

Once you’ve found a rental property you like, it’s important to book a viewing as early as possible. With high demand in the rental market, properties can be snapped up quickly. If you find a property that feels like it’s meant for you, it’s best to move fast to secure it. Contact us, and we’ll arrange a convenient viewing for you.

Application for Property

Once you have found a suitable property, it’s time to apply for the home along with a holding deposit, which is equivalent to one week of the monthly rental amount. The landlord will require information about who will be living at the property, the proposed moving-in date, the length of the tenancy, and any other specific requirements you may have.

The decision to accept your application or not lies with the landlord. They will review all elements of your application, so it’s crucial that you provide all relevant information at this stage. If you plan to keep pets at the property, you must declare this as part of your application. Please note that any changes or requests made after your application has been accepted may not be considered, or may be rejected outright. Our lettings team is always available to assist you in the application process and answer any questions you may have.

Rental Agreed

Once we have successfully agreed terms with the landlord, at Villager Homes, we will guide you through the credit checks. It is our responsibility to ensure that you are a suitable tenant and are able to proceed with the tenancy agreement. As part of this process, you may be required to provide the following:

Three years’ address history
Previous landlord details for any properties rented in the past three years
Confirmation of earnings, to ensure that you meet the criteria
Employment details
Evidence of the past three years’ accounts if you are self-employed
Your bank details
You may also need to provide proof of your “Right to Rent” under the immigration act.

We will keep you informed throughout the process and our lettings team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Your Deposit Payment

Once you have found your ideal rental property with Villager Homes, a deposit equivalent to 5 weeks’ rental amount will be required to cover any potential excessive damages at the end of the tenancy, on behalf of the landlord.

If Villager Homes is managing the property on behalf of the landlord, the deposit will be registered with The Deposit Protection Service (DPS). This scheme was introduced as part of the Housing Act 2004 for all assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales. By law, all deposits must be held in an independent account to protect both you and the landlord in the event of any disputes at the end of the tenancy. If the landlord manages the property themselves, Villager Homes will inform you of the deposit scheme that will be used and the terms and conditions of that scheme will be included in your Tenancy Agreement.

At the end of your tenancy, you and your landlord will need to agree on how your deposit will be repaid. If you’re unable to agree, the free independent Alternative Dispute Resolution service, provided by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), can be used to help resolve any disputes.

Tenant Fees During A Tenancy

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, there are certain fees that may be payable during a tenancy:

If a tenant requests a change to their tenancy, such as a change of sharer or permission to keep a pet at the property, a charge of £50 including VAT will be applicable for the amendment of a tenancy or addition of an addendum. Additional charges may apply in certain circumstances. Tenants are responsible for paying utility bills in accordance with their tenancy agreement, which could include council tax, utility payments such as gas, electricity, and water, and communication services like phone, TV, and broadband. A default fee for late payment of rent will be charged if outstanding rent remains unpaid for 14 days or more, at a rate of 3% above the Base of England’s bank rate for each day the payment remains outstanding. If a tenant loses their keys or security devices, they will be charged at the cost of replacement or changing of security locks to prevent a security breach. If an agreement is reached for early termination of a tenancy, a charge will be made equal to the loss of rent plus any landlord’s costs for re-marketing and paperwork to allow the change of tenant.

Moving In

Once all the formalities have been completed and your deposit and payments have cleared, it’s time to move into your new home with Villager Homes. Our expert lettings team is always available to help you through the process, so you never have to figure it out on your own. Now that you’ve made it this far, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new home!

Don’t settle for less than your dream rental property.

Trust Villager Homes to help you find your perfect home. Contact us today to learn more about our available properties and how we can help you.

Search for your dream home