Tenants' Information and Charges

Tenants' Information and Charges

New rules on Right to Rent Checks!

From 1st February 2016 landlords are required by law to check that their tenants have a right to live in the UK. The new rules apply to any tenancy starting on or after 1st February. This means that Michael Hardy Lettings will be carrying out the necessary checks on behalf of all landlords for tenancies that are due to start on or after that date. The checks have to be made against ALL occupiers of the property (excluding anyone under the age of 18) and this applies whether or not such occupiers are named as tenants in the tenancy agreement. The checking process will be very straightforward in most situations - simply a case of checking the occupiers' passports. Please note that the occupier will have to produce their ORIGINAL passport and this must be checked by Michael Hardy in the physical presence of the occupier. Michael Hardy are required to make a copy of the passport and retain it on file for the duration of the tenancy.

There will be some cases where different checks will have to be made (for example, if the proposed occupier does not have a passport) and in this situation we will be happy to discuss the documentary requirements for establishing the occupier's right to live in the UK. Broadly speaking, holders of UK passports, holders of EEA passports, holders of Swiss passports and others holding documents showing a right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK will meet the new requirements.

For the avoidance of doubt, occupiers who are renewing a tenancy that started before 1st February 2016 are not required to satisfy the new checking regulations provided the parties to the original tenancy are the same as the parties who are renewing the tenancy.


Michael Hardy Lettings understands that to deliver to our Landlords, we need to take care of our Tenants. To ensure we look after you, one of the fundamental differences between Michael Hardy and its competitors is the maturity and professionalism of the Lettings team coupled with the company's attitude towards service.

  • We have an extensive range of properties for you to rent.
  • We protect your deposit in a government approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
  • We have easy to read agreements that comply with the latest legal regulations.
  • We accompany viewings.

To make it as easy as possible for you to find a property that meets your needs, we have developed an easy to navigate website which allows you to:

  • Search for a property in your area, within your price range.
  • Easily find contact details for your local Michael Hardy Lettings office.
  • Register with Michael Hardy.
  • View a Google map of the area.

Viewing

Once you have identified a prospective property, Michael Hardy Lettings will arrange for you to view the property, at a time to suit you which may be an evening or weekend subject to the permission of the Landlord and tenant in residence. The majority of the viewing appointments are accompanied by us, so that we will be able to provide immediate advice and answer any questions you may have.

Application

Having selected a property any details or requirements can be agreed, including occupancy date and duration of the letting etc.

References

Once you have made an offer for a property, you will be required to pay a holding deposit of one week’s rent. You will then pay a further 4 weeks rent as the deposit and one months rent in advance prior to check in. Once the holding deposit has been paid, the property will be removed from the market. Each applicant over the age of 18 will be required to complete a reference. Michael Hardy Lettings will arrange for the referencing application forms to be forwarded to you via a link, enabling you to complete your reference information online. Should you fail referencing or withdraw from the proposed agreement, then Michael Hardy Lettings will retain the one weeks holding deposit.

Deposit

Once you have signed the tenancy agreement you will be required to pay the first month’s rent in advance and the security deposit of 5 weeks rent, less the holding deposit already paid, one week before the start date of your tenancy.

Rent

Rents are normally quoted on a calendar month basis. Your rent is paid by standing order in advance and is calculated per calendar month. Michael Hardy will request that the Standing Order Mandate provided is completed on or before the commencement day of your tenancy. Standing Order Mandate 

 

Fees

You can download information about our Tenants Fees here.

Client Money Protection

We have Client Money Protection Insurance (CMP) provided by PropertyMark. Click here to view member requirements

View our CMP certificate.

Lettings Credentials