As a tenant it is vital that you choose a landlord and letting agent that you can trust. Roberts operate under strict standards of professional and ethical practice with complete transparency so you can avoid unwelcome fees or legal hiccups throughout your tenancy.

Narrow your search. When you start the search for your ideal home it is worth considering your requirements:

1. Think about the location you’d like to live in
2. Consider your ‘must have’ list- what do you really want?
3. What’s your budget? Would you pay more for the right property?
4. How long do you need the accommodation for? Is it a stop gap or a long term solution?
5. When would you like to move in? Work backwards and start your search around six to eight weeks before this

Our top tip:

Budget carefully – allow for council tax and the cost of all utilities, which you’ll normally have to pay for.
Whether you have begun your search online or in the office of your letting agent, once you have found one or more properties which meet your requirements, a lettings consultant will take you on viewings so you can see the property in person.

Our staff are trained to keep up with the trends of the local markets in Bournemouth so we will be able to advise you on how to get the most out of your money in the location of your choice.

Our top tips for viewings:

1. Check out the space inside cupboards and wardrobes for storage space but remember if the property has a tenant you should respect personal property and ask before delving into cupboards
2. Remember to advise us on any maintenance issues prior to moving in
3. You’ll need more than just an emotional connection – Enquire about mobile phones reception, cable/ satellite dish, broadband availability and electrical sockets to stay connected in your new home

As of October 2008, every landlord is required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for any new tenancies in each property they rent out. This certificate gives the property a rating based on such factors as loft insulation, double glazing, boiler age, efficiency etc and more, and is valid for 10 years. The level of energy efficiency of your property will affect your energy bills so it is worth checking this out.

The rental market moves much faster than the sales market so if you see the perfect property, you may have to act quickly to secure it.

We recommend always being prepared with the relevant documents such as a form of identification and confirmation of your address.

Once you have found the right flat or house you’ll need to put a deposit down to state your intention.

You will be asked to give references to your prospective landlord and letting agent to confirm that you have rented in the past without any major problems. As part of this process Roberts may also request further details:

Referencing criteria

1. Three years’ address history
2. Landlord details for any property rented in the last three years
3. Confirmation of earnings per annum that are equal to the monthly rental fee multiplied by 30
4. If you’re retired, then your (joint) pension per annum will also need to equal 30 times the monthly rental
5. No adverse credit in the form of a county court judgment, bankruptcy order or similar
6. If you’re self-employed, either an accounts reference or to provide evidence of the last three years’ tax return

The deposit is now calculated as the equivalent of 5 weeks rent at a maximum. This deposit is held as the landlord’s cover for any excessive damages that need to be repaired at the end of the tenancy. If Roberts are managing the property on behalf of the landlord, the deposit will be registered with a government approved deposit scheme. However, if the landlord manages the property themselves, we’ll inform you what deposit scheme the landlord will be using and the terms and conditions of that scheme will form part of your Tenancy Agreement. At the end of the tenancy, once the tenant has vacated, the landlord and tenant have to agree any deductions before the monies are released. If an agreement cannot be reached the scheme can provide arbitration.

A Tenancy Agreement is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy and is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of both the tenant and the landlord are adhered to. All relevant parties will be asked to sign this document, which agrees the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant. This may include such responsibilities as; you must tell your landlord if you are going away for longer than 14 days, you must not use the property as a business.

Our top tip: The date on which the contract starts will become your rent’s due date. You’re unable to change this at a later stage, so please do bear it in mind when you reserve a property.

By choosing Roberts, it is our duty to keep up-to-date with the latest lettings industry legislation. Also we should add a sell here along the lines of Roberts have access to insurance policies and are able to provide quotes.

At Roberts, when the landlord accepts your offer, your lettings consultant will put all the details together and personally hand it over to our dedicated Administration Department. They will call you to confirm all the arrangements and will draw up your tenancy agreement and other important documentation.

Remember to inform your utilities provider and the local council of your move.

The Inventory
The Inventory is a detailed list of the contents and condition of the property at the point that you move into it. By both parties agreeing that the Inventory is correct at the start of the tenancy, any risk of disputes at the end of the tenancy will be minimised. We recommend therefore that you thoroughly check the Inventory before you sign. At Roberts an Independent Inventory Service will prepare this document for the landlord.

The property you are renting is a large investment for your landlord, so they will arrange visit days to meet with you at the property and check that everything is in order, usually only a couple of times a year.

Of course, if anything breaks down or needs repairing then the landlord will visit the property more often to ensure the property maintains in good condition for you to live in.

If your property is professionally managed by us, we will be your main point of contact during the course of your tenancy. A managed property will also receive regular inspection visits.

Once you are nearing the end of your tenancy period you will need to decide whether to extend your stay or move out (remembering to give two months’ notice in writing).

1. Staying put
If you do want to renew the tenancy, we will liaise with you directly and send you all the necessary paperwork to complete. If your circumstances have changed, some new checks may be needed, but this will be advised on at the time.

Our top tip: Remember the landlord at this stage will be within his/her rights to serve notice on your tenancy if they need the property back or there have been any persistent issues.

2. Moving out
If we manage the property on behalf of the landlord, we’ll arrange a check out with an independent inventory company (carried out on the next working day after the expiry of the tenancy and after all keys have been returned). If the landlord manages the property, you’ll need to liaise with them directly in order to arrange a time and date to meet there, complete a check out and hand the keys back.

Deposit
After serving your notice you’ll need to ensure that the property is left in good condition in order for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions or disputes and all the necessary forms are filled out correctly by you and by the landlord, your deposit should be returned ten days after the deposit release agreements have been received.