Renting Guide

step 1

WHAT MONTHLY RENT CAN YOU AFFORD?

Affordability applies as much in lettings as it does in sales, so it's important to establish what you can comfortably afford to pay each month. Our lettings staff will work this out for you using your salary and other financial details. As well as the regular rental payment, there are some set up and administration fees, including a holding deposit - payable in advance to secure the property and stop other viewings and a six weeks security deposit – paid against any damages or losses to the property.

step 2

REGISTER YOUR REQUIREMENTS

Once you know how much you can afford, the search process can start. Register with us today and you'll find out about the latest properties to rent in Cockfosters, Hadley Wood, Southgate, Oakwood & Barnet before they reach the internet. Tell us your budget, your desired location and your 'must haves', and we'll send you details of properties that match your requirements.

step 3

SECURING A RENTAL PROPERTY

You'll need to conduct viewings in person, to establish whether you like a property. Ask the landlord, tenant or letting agent (whoever is conducting the viewing) about commuting times, establish how much the annual utility and council tax bills are and find out about any parking restrictions. It's these questions that will prepare you for the additional financial commitments attached to living in the property you are viewing. It's also wise to visit the property and the area more than once and at different times of the day - during rush hour/the school run, after dark and at the weekend. Once you have found a property you like, contact your letting agent to make an offer.

step 4

MAKING AN OFFER

Any offer must be submitted in writing, at which point it will be discussed with the landlord. Jason Oliver letting negotiator will take you through the renting process which will include paying a holding deposit in order to secure the property, referencing fees, collecting references and signing the tenancy agreement.

step 5

TENANCY APPLICATION AND REFERENCING

We will need to verify who you are in order to proceed with your tenancy application. This means providing photographic ID and examples of recent utility bills. You'll be asked to fill in and sign a tenancy application form, and pay the referencing and administration fees. An independent third party will pursue your references - following up with previous landlords and your employer - as well as undertaking a credit check.

step 6

SIGNING THE TENANCY AGREEMENT

Once your offer on a rental property has been accepted and your referencing has come back as acceptable and satisfactory you'll be required to pay the outstanding balance and sign the Tenancy Agreement. If you are renting a property from us that is professionally managed, your deposit will be secured with DPS (Deposit Protection Scheme) - a Government authorised protection scheme. If there is anything in your agreement that you don't understand - just ask. We want every tenant to move in knowing what is expected of them, of their landlords and of us, if we are managing the property.

step 7

MOVING IN

Once all the fees and deposit have cleared and the Tenancy Agreement is signed, the keys to your new home will be available for collection on your moving in day. Make sure you have checked the inventory and advised us of any discrepancies within 7 days of your tenancy commencement. Please contact your local council and all utility providers with metre readings provided in your inventory in order to set up payment options.

step 8

COLLECTING THE RENT

Your rent will normally be payable on a monthly basis. Please instruct your bank to set up a standing order with the banking details provided by Jason Oliver. The rent will be collected automatically from your bank account.

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Letting Fee Information

Tenant charges

VAT is charged @ 20%, where applicable

To be paid when making an offer for an AST
Holding deposit *per tenancy - equal to one week's rent

To be paid when making an offer for a non-AST
Holding deposit *per tenancy - £500
Referencing charge:
- per individual applicant (including 'right to rent' check) and/or guarantor - £180 (inc. VAT)
- per company applicant and/or guarantor - £180 (inc. VAT)
Preparation of tenancy agreement, per tenancy - £300 (inc. VAT)
Inventory check-in, per tenancy - £150 (inc. VAT)
*Please ask to see the conditions on the holding deposit receipt form as to whether all or part of the above will be refunded should the tenancy not proceed.

To be paid prior to tenancy starting
Initial rent (less holding deposit** above) as per tenancy agreement
Tenancy deposit:
- For ASTs with an annual rent of under £50,000 - equivalent of 5 weeks' rent
- For ASTs with an annual rent above £50,000 - equivalent of 6 weeks' rent
¿ All other tenancies - as agreed between parties
**The holding deposit will be offset against the initial rental payment if the application is successful.

Rechecking 'right to rent' ID verification
To be carried out as and when necessary during an initial Tenancy, renewal or periodic tenancy, per tenant or adult occupant (other than for AST tenants) - £30 (inc. VAT)

Addendum
Change or amendment to terms during tenancy, requested by tenant (ASTs) - £50 (inc. VAT) or reasonable costs
Change or amendment to terms during tenancy, requested by tenant (all other tenancies) - £150 (inc. VAT)

Change of sharer during a tenancy (ASTs)
(this is subject to landlord agreeing and treated as a new letting)
For new tenancy (ASTs) - £50 (inc. VAT) or reasonable costs

Change of sharer during a tenancy (all other tenancies)
Referencing charge per individual applicant and/or guarantor - £180 (inc. VAT)
Preparation of tenancy agreement, per tenancy - £300 (inc. VAT)
Inventory check (if required by the landlord), per tenancy - £150 (inc. VAT)
Tenancy deposit protection administration, per tenancy - £150 (inc. VAT)

Late rental payments
Arrears charged at 3% above Bank of England Base Rate
(levied from 14th day of arrears period but charged from 1st day of arrears period)

Visit our website at for further details of the above charges and of any penalties you may incur should you break the terms of your contract.

Jason Oliver Properties is a member of the Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme, and also a member of the Property Ombudsman, which is a redress scheme. More details can be found at or by contacting your local branch directly.