Tenant Fees
Services and Fees to Tenants
Applying for a rental property through Harrison-Lavers & Potbury’s is straight forward. From your initial contact to viewing property and applying for property, we will guide you through the process to ensure that you are informed and to make the process as trouble free as possible.
When we have located a property that you feel is suitable, we will need you to complete an on-line application via our independent referencing and credit checking company – Rentshield Direct. We will take a reservation fee from you which is equivalent to 1 weeks rent, agree a moving in date and will require you to sign a consent form and provide photographic identification to enable us to undertake a ‘right to rent’ check in order to verify your identification and eligibility to rent in the UK.
Tenancy deposits for AST agreements are now capped at a maximum of 5 weeks rent. You will also be required to pay one month’s rent in advance. Future rent payments are then due on the anniversary of the tenancy each month by standing order. We are regulated by the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and tenants deposits are held in our clients account (Harrison-Lavers & Potbury’s Ltd client deposit account). This account is non interest earning and is regulated and monitored by the RICS. Clients money is protected by the RICS and information regarding the deposit scheme can be found on the RICS website.
Harrison-Lavers & Potbury’s are also regulated by the TPO (The Property Ombudsman for lettings) and as a registered agent we are required to follow a strict code of practice which sets out the framework within which registered agents must operate and the standards of the service they must provide for both tenants and landlords alike. Further information provided can be obtained from our agency or alternatively from the TPO website which is www.tpos.co.uk
Our fees to tenants have changed considerably since the implementation of the tenant fee ban (1st June 2019). We are now permitted to make the following charges, where the situation allows us to do so.
- A default fee for late rental payments, chargeable once 14 days of arrears have arisen at an interest rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate, for the late payment of rent for each day the payment is overdue.
- Loss of keys/other security devices to the property. Letting agents (and landlords) can impose a charge to a tenant to cover the cost of replacing lost keys, security devices which includes door entry access control and garage door or electric gate remote controls. Payments are varied depending on the device and key.
- Deed of Surrender. The termination of a fixed term tenancy, subject to landlord and tenant’s agreement. If you submit a request to terminate your tenancy before the end of the fixed term, we will contact your landlord in order to discuss this request. If the landlord is agreeable subject to a new tenancy being secured before the surrender of tenancy can be granted, we may charge you an early termination fee, which is capped at the landlord’s losses or the agency’s reasonable costs incurred.
- Deed of Addendum. Deed of Assignment. Variation of tenancy – during the course of your tenancy it is possible that you may wish to change or vary the terms of the written agreement. On occasions this can be adding, amending or removing a party, which will require us to administer a replacement tenancy agreement. Our fee for doing so is £50 inc VAT, or our reasonable costs if higher than this amount.
Tenant charges for non-assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
Holding deposit - One weeks rent
Tenancy deposit - 1.5 times monthly rent
Referencing check - £90.00 inc VAT per adult
Company check - £120.00 inc VAT
Administration fee - £160.00 inc VAT