[Reserving a property] [Applying for a property] [Lease procedure] [Move in procedure]

Reserving a property

Having selected a property with Key-Lets you will be asked to fill in an application form. In order to reserve the accommodation an Application Fee will have to be paid with the application form. Please ensure that the first page of the application is signed together with the declarations found within the application.

Key-Lets use referencing agencies to carry out a full credit check, employers and landlord reference.

Please note that on the first page of the application form we ask for the sum of £35 (inc VAT) for the first applicant and £25 (inc VAT) per additional applicant. These fees are to be sent with the completed applications to our Lochwinnoch office for processing.

If we require a guarantor to support your application we will require an additional £25 (inc VAT) fee per guarantor application.

Until the Application Fee is paid Key-Lets is unable to reserve the accommodation, and the property will continue to be advertised.

At the application stage the following information is agreed with the landlord via Key-Lets: -

• The rent and surety deposit is confirmed.
• The date of the commencement of the tenancy.
• The duration of the Tenancy i.e. 6 or 12 months.
• Additional facilities in the property if required.
• Any other questions you may have relating to the Tenancy.

If I later decide not to take the property will I lose my Application Fee?

Yes, application fees are non-returnable.

Applying for a property

REFERENCING

Key-Lets will take up full references for all prospective tenants. The application form is referred to for the following information:

Employer Reference
Landlord Reference
Character Reference
Credit Check and/or Bank Reference

What if I cannot provide references?

Where the tenant is a student, where there are other doubts over an ability to pay the rent or where references are unobtainable (for example through the applicant returning to the UK from abroad) then a Guarantor will be required

Your Guarantor will underwrite the lease obligations for the full life of the contract and will therefore be required to sign your lease. Moreover your Guarantor must have been in full time employment for a minimum of one year and have a clean credit record.

Normally the Guarantor would be the applicant’s parent, other relative or possibly an employer. The Guarantor will be responsible for paying for any monies outstanding as a result of the Tenancy. Therefore it is very important for the tenant not to over stretch himself or herself when looking for a property to avoid any liabilities on the Guarantor.

What if I claim help with my rent?

Where the tenant is in employment and in receipt of working families tax credit the tenant is referenced in the same way as any other working tenant. However a Guarantor may be sought to support the lease.

Tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit will require a Guarantor to support the lease for those properties that will consider DSS assistance.

Lease procedure

What will I have to pay when signing the contract?

Rents are quoted on a calendar month basis (i.e. £ 40.00 per week x 52 * weeks a year / 12 months = £ 173.33 pcm). When signing the contract the tenant will have to provide one month’s rent in advance along with the balance of the deposit payable only in cash. You will be required to pay your subsequent rent either by standing order or by pre-dated cheque (pre-dated seven days before your rent due date) to allow for cleared funds when your rent is due. Tenants will not be able to move into the property without cleared funds.

What kind of contract will I sign?

A Short Assured Tenancy Agreement is the commonest form of arrangement used by Key-Lets for the letting of rented property. These tenancies were introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988. Initially the contract is for six months, however longer leases can be agreed depending on the Landlords requirements. Most Key-Lets properties are long-term lets.

The tenancy can be extended after the initial six-month period on a monthly, six-monthly or annual contract. In Scotland the principle of ‘tacit relocation’ exits where tenancies automatically renew themselves on the same terms and conditions of the original lease if the tenancy is not formally renewed. If you choose to follow a monthly extension to the lease then the contract renews itself automatically on a month by month sequence. This allows greater flexibility after the initial six months and removes the need to sign a new lease every month.

Once you have entered into a Tenancy Agreement you are legally bound to the contract until the end of the Tenancy Agreement.

What is a Joint Tenancy?

Joint tenancies can be agreed with two or more people from the outset of the tenancy. Each tenant is then responsible jointly and individually for meeting the terms of the tenancy in full, including paying the rent. Therefore if one joint tenant leaves the property before the end of the tenancy without the Landlord’s agreement and you cannot recover the rent due from them, the remaining tenant/s will be responsible for paying the full rent and any other subsequent costs. Under a joint Tenancy, all the tenants have equal rights under the Tenancy.
Therefore if you have any doubts about sharing your tenancy with anyone you should not proceed as you and/or your Guarantor will be jointly liable for the full rent.

Can the tenant leave during the tenancy?

As a tenant, you wish to terminate your tenancy before the expiry of the contract, you have two following options:

• Continue to pay the rent until the end of the tenancy
• Continue to pay the rent until a suitable tenant is found to release you from the contract, subject to the Landlord's permission

In the majority of cases, Key-Lets Landlord’s are protected through rental and legal insurance. Failing to meet your obligations under the lease can have expensive repercussions. It is always advisable to discuss any problems with Key-Lets well before a small problem becomes a major issue.

Move in procedure

SHORT ASSURED TENANCIES

1. Firstly tenants will need to make an appointment to be check into the property.
2. Please book an appointment as far in advance as possible, so as not to be disappointed, as certain dates of the year become fully booked very quickly.
3. Each tenant and/or Guarantor will need to be present at the sign in.
4. The tenants will meet at the property and will need to bring along their signed pre-tenancy notices that will have been posted out prior to any sign in.
5. Tenants will all be issued with the keys for the property and will be required to sign a confirmation sheet at the sign in.
6. An Inventory will be provided for the property which will give in detail a list of fixtures and fittings, with a schedule of conditions.
7. Check the inventory carefully as you will need to sign this document which is a legally binding (click here to inventory section for further information)
8. Please take this opportunity your ask any questions you may have regarding the property
9. The meter reading will be recorded for Gas and Electricity and Key-Lets will notify the utility suppliers, together with the Council Tax authority of your occupancy.
10. The balance of the surety deposit and your first month’s rent in advance will be paid in cash. A receipt will be issued for this money.
11. Your rent is either paid by standing order or pre-dated cheque and as such your bank’s confirmation or the cheque is usually deemed suitable for receipt purposes. A charge of £10 payable in advance is required for subsequent confirmations of rental payments to Key-Lets.