Tenant services & information

When you start your search for a property, register your details with Ridgewater for property alerts and let us do the work for you. It is quick and easy, and is the best way ensure you get all the information you need on a new property that meets your requirements, as soon as they come on the market. You can also register by phone or in person at our office. Once registered, our lettings negotiators will also keep in touch with you regularly.

If you would like to view any of the properties we have available, just contact the office and we will arrange an appointment which is convenient to you. One of our lettings consultants will always accompany you and provide full property particulars and answer any questions which you may have.

We understand that everyone has different work or lifestyle commitments, and we will always try and make an appointment for a viewing that suits you. Viewings can be arranged between the hours 9am-6:30pm Monday to Friday and 10am-12pm on Saturdays. We try to be as flexible as possible when it comes to viewings and we are on call at short notice if a there is a property that you would like to view. We may be able to offer viewing outside of these time by arrangement.

In order to reserve one of our properties you will need to place an application fee which will be deducted from your total balance of monies due before you move in. At this stage you will also need to fill out a tenancy application form in order for us to carry out the relevant credit/reference checks. The property will then be reserved for you and a move in date agreed with the landlord subject to satisfactory references and contract and a deposit being paid.

If for any reason the landlord declines your application your holding fee will be refunded in full. However if you decide not to proceed or if you fail to provide full and accurate information or you fail references your holding fee will be retained and the property will be re-marketed.

We are contractually obligated to all our Landlords to carry out full referencing checks on all of our applicants. It is essential that you provide all the information we need in order to carry out all the relevant reference checks. We will require satisfactory references from your:

• Employer to verify your salary and your status as full time employed.
• Landlord to check that your rent was paid on time, and that your last property was well looked after and the tenancy was conducted in a satisfactory manner.
• In addition we will also carry out a credit check.

In some instances we may need a guarantor, this is usually if your credit score is low or you do not meet the affordability criteria. Self-employed tenants may also need a guarantor. Guarantor's need to be a UK based employed person with a salary that is equal to 36 times the monthly rent. i.e. for a property at £600 pcm they would require an income of £21600 pa.

When you find a suitable property, you will need to pay a holding fee equal to 50% of the rent to hold the property until you move in. This will be deducted from your final move in balance. If you decide you no longer want the property, the holding fee will be retained and passed to the Landlord.

Once the referencing process is complete, and a move in date has been confirmed, we will send you a tenancy agreement. Most contracts will be a six month assured short hold tenancy.

You should read the tenancy agreement thoroughly and only sign it once you fully understand all the clauses. If you are unsure of anything, you should seek legal advice or contact us before you sign it, as it is a legally binding document that can not be changed at a later date.

Your deposit is placed with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service) and is usually one month's rent for unfurnished properties. This deposit is held in case the property suffers any damage and cannot be used by the tenant to pay rent.

You will receive written confirmation from the DPS within 30 days that your deposit has been registered with them.

For more information on deposit legislation visit: https://www.depositprotection.com

When you move into a property, you will be provided with a comprehensive Inventory and Schedule of Condition. You will be given a copy for your own records. This document will have to be referred to at the end of your tenancy to make sure the property is left in the same condition as when you first moved in.

The rents quoted for each property are exclusive off all bills and utilities unless stated. You would be required to arrange payment for all utilities (Water, Gas, Electricity, TV License etc) during your tenancy.

Rents are collected on a monthly basis. We will provide you with a standing order mandate during the move in process which you will be required to set up with your bank.

All our tenancies have a minimum period of 6 months for the initial fixed term. If you require a longer tenancy, then this can be discussed with your Landlord.

If you like a property and want to reserve it, you can place an initial administration fee against the property. This fee covers your contribution towards the referencing, Inventory, and Contracts. We also require 50% of the deposit as a holding deposit.

In most cases an employer reference will be required, a landlord reference (if applicable) and a credit check will also be carried out. We also require 2 forms of ID (1 photographic such as a passport or driving licence and one with current address such as a utility bill or bank statement)

If you fail your references due to a poor credit score or insufficient income, you would need a guarantor. If you fail your references because of a poor Landlord/Letting Agent reference, the Landlord may decline your application. In this instance, £120 of your application fee will be refunded

If a landlord declines the tenancy we will try to find a suitable alternative for you. If we can't source an alternative property your administration fee and deposit will be refunded in full.

It is best to start looking for a property 1 month to 6 weeks before you want to move as most of the properties on the market will be available immediately or within 1 month.

Landlords and letting agents have a legal obligation to register tenant deposits with a government backed scheme within 30 days of receipt.

If your property is managed by Ridgewater you can contact the office to report any issues. We also offer a 24 hour emergency line. If your property is unmanaged you will have to report your concerns to your landlord.

If your property is managed you will have to contact the office directly. If your property is unmanaged you will have to contact your landlord directly.

If you are on a periodic tenancy (month by month) you can give one month's notice at any time on your rent due day. You do not need to serve notice if you wish to vacate the property at the end of a fixed term period tenancy.

If you are living in one of our managed properties we will write to you before your tenancy ends to determine what you intend to do at the end of the tenancy. If you wish to stay at the property and your landlord agrees to this we will draft a new tenancy agreement unless you decide to go onto a periodic tenancy. If your property is unmanaged you will need to consult your landlord before your tenancy expires.

If you are living in one of our managed properties we will conduct a checkout at the end of the tenancy and if make a submission to the DPS to return your deposit within 10 days. If there is damage with no dispute we will return your deposit minus costs within 10 days. If there is a dispute we will return the deposit within 10 days minus the disputed amount which will be dealt with by an independent adjudicator from the DPS. If you are living in an unmanaged property and your deposit is held and registered by the landlord you will need to deal directly with your landlord.

You can if the landlord agrees to the changes. Any requests will have to be sent to us in writing so we can obtain written authority from the landlord. If you're living in an unmanaged property you will have to contact your landlord directly.

You will be legally liable to pay the rent until the end of the fixed term agreement even if you aren't living at the property. The alternative, if your Landlord is agreeable, is to find a suitable replacement tenant and you will need to pay our fees for finding a new tenant on behalf of the Landlord. You would be required to pay any rent up until the date that the new tenant is due to take possession.

A landlord is required by law to provide you with 2 month's written notice by serving a section 21 notice 2 months before the end of the tenancy. This should allow plenty of time for you to source an alternative property.

We would recommend to all our tenants that they affect their own contents Insurance, as this will often protect the landlords fixtures and fittings. There are also indemnity Insurances available that will protect your deposit in the event of any damage to the property.

If you are living in one of our managed properties you can call our 24hr emergency hotline. If you are living in an unmanaged property you will need to contact your landlord directly.