Tenants

At White Estates, we let and manage a variety of furnished and unfurnished properties throughout Kensington & Chelsea area. All security deposits are held in a designated Clients Account and fully bonded and protected by the DPS.

TENANT SCALE OF CHARGES

Payments permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 by Tenants or under an assured shorthold tenancy.

Rent: Payable either monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually in advance (unless agreed otherwise).                  

Default fee for late payment of rent: Rental payments overdue by more than 14 days will be subject to interest at an annual percentage rate of ~ % (Maximum 3%) over the Bank of England Base Rate calculated from the date the payment was due up until the date payment is received.

Deposit: Payable before the start of the tenancy and held under a Government-approved scheme for the duration of the agreement. It will be repaid in full provided all obligations have been fulfilled. The deposit will be subject to a maximum of five weeks’ rent for an annual rent of up to £50,000 and a maximum of six weeks’ rent for an annual rent over £50,000.

Holding deposit: Equivalent to one week’s rent (as statutorily prescribed). This will be withheld if the Tenant does not have the right to rent, or any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraws from the tenancy, provides materially significant or false or misleading information, or fails to sign their contract ~ (and/or guarantor agreement) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).

Default payments: If the Tenant breaches any of the requirements of the agreement, the Tenant may be liable to pay the Landlord for any losses incurred as a result of: a failure by the Tenant to make a payment by the due date to the Landlord or, a breach by the Tenant of a term of the contract, both subject to any statutorily prescribed limits.

The losses the Landlord may claim may include, damages, costs, charges and expenses incurred as a result of the breach that the Landlord was unable to mitigate to put the Landlord back in the same position as had the Tenant not breached the agreement.

Variation of agreement: The actual costs reasonably incurred, if the costs exceed £50.00 including VAT; written evidence of the actual cost will be provided.

Early termination: Without granting a right to do so, should the Tenant wish to leave their contract early and the Landlord agrees, they will be liable to pay the Landlord’s losses and the Agent’s reasonable costs in re-letting the Property, as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy (capped at no more than the maximum of rent outstanding on the tenancy).

Council Tax:  Payable to the billing authority, if the Tenant is liable.

Utilities: Including water, sewerage, gas (or other heating fuel) and electricity including any Green Deal costs) payable in respect of the dwelling, and if required in the tenancy agreement. This may be payable to the Landlord or to the utility provider.

Television licence:  Payable if the Tenant is contractually required to make a payment to the British Broadcasting Corporation

Communication services: Payable to a provider of: internet, cable or satellite television, telephone services other than mobile if the payment is contractually required.

Loss of keys or other security device: The actual costs, as evidenced by invoice or receipt, related to a breach of contract leading to the requirement for a lock to be added or replaced or a key or other security device giving access to the Property to be replaced

Missed appointments: Losses, as evidenced by invoice or receipt, suffered by the Landlord if the tenant fails to attend appointments agreed by the Tenant and arranged by the Letting Agent or Landlord for contractors or others to attend or to carry out work at the Property.

Avoidable, accidental or purposeful damage to the Property: The Tenant will be liable for any losses, as evidenced by invoice or receipt, suffered by the Landlord as a result of neglect or wilful behaviour by the Tenant or their guests resulting in damage to the Property.

Emergency/out of hours call-out fees:  Any losses or additional losses suffered by the Landlord, as evidenced by invoice or receipt, as a result of the Tenant arranging an emergency, out of hours contractor call-out where the work was not an emergency or the works were required as a result of the Tenant’s actions.

Our site contains a constantly updated register of rental property. CLICK HERE to see our latest list. In order to receive a regularly updated list of our available rental properties, please go to the top right hand corner of the page and "Register" yourself and we will contact you with details of new properties to suit your specified requirements. 

For more detailed information or appointments to view please contact us on 020 7370 4343.

Tenant’s Guide
Although Letting Agents have different procedures, this guide is intended as a general overview to assist you when renting a property. We have set out below a few significant pointers to assist you. 


Agreeing the Let- As soon as your offer has been accepted by the Landlord, we will apply for references and draw up the relevant documentation which will form the basis of the agreement between you and the Landlord. 
You will be expected to provide:

• IDENTIFICATION/PROOF OF RESIDENCY
• All tenants must show proof of address. Only the following forms of identification are accepted:
• Utility bill (less than 3 months old)
• Full driving license
• Council tax bill (less than 3 months old)
• Mobile phone bill (less than 3 months old)

References
White Estates or our referencing agency will also contact your employer and your Landlord (if you are in rented accommodation already). If you are self employed we will need to contact your accountant. A credit check will also be conducted. 
To assist us in collating the necessary references, it would be advantageous for you to advise the above individuals in advance that references are required as these can be return to us within a matter of a few days, barring any delays.

Occasionally, a GUARANTOR will be required if, for example the Tenant has not been continuously employed; the tenants’ income falls short of our criteria or the tenants’ employment is considered as changeable.

Tenancy Agreement – An appointment will be arranged with you to visit our offices to sign the Tenancy Agreement when all references have been received. The Landlord will also be asked to sign their copy of the document.

Rent and Deposit – You will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit before taking possession of the property. 
The deposit is required for the full tenancy against loss, damage or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy, this is usually the equivalent of five week's rent. The deposit will be held by White Estates in their designated clients’ account/ DPS and is fully bonded. It is returnable in full at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property and it should be noted that deductions will also be made for cleaning should the property (and garden areas) not have been left in a satisfactory condition.

Please note that all monies to be paid on the signing of the agreement prior to the occupation and should be paid by banker transfer to our account.

Check in and Condition Report - If we have been instructed by the Landlord, a Condition Report will be prepared of your new home and a convenient appointment will be made with the Inventory Clerk to carry out a Check In report to coincide with your move in day. 
All information is provided in good faith. It does not replace the advice of a qualified legal advisor. 

Other Points of Interest: 

1. The Tenant will be responsible for insuring their own possessions

2. The Tenant will take over all utilities such as Gas, Electricity, Water/Sewage charges, Council Tax & Telephone upon moving into the property and will be responsible for contacting the relevant suppliers accordingly prior to commencement of the tenancy.

3. The Landlord is responsible for any repair/maintenance problems to appliances etc, but the Tenant is responsible for any breakages which should be reported immediately.

4. Decoration of the property must only be done with your Landlord’s permission.

5. No pets are allowed unless the Landlord has given consent.

6.  Reasonable notice should be given in the event that the Letting Agent or Landlord wishes to inspect the property outside pre-agreed times.

7. Should you wish to quit your Tenancy earlier than the agreed term, you will be liable for all rent until the end of the agreed Tenancy. However, it may be worth considering negotiating a BREAK CLAUSE with the Landlord which, for example, could entitle you to give notice after 4 months. 
In this case, you would only be liable for the rent for the notice period of 2 months, releasing you from the remaining 6 months of a 12 month Tenancy.

8. The deposit is returned subsequent to the final inspection of the property. Letting agents generally encourage Landlords to employ a professional inventory agent to conduct the inspection and produce a report as to the condition of the interior at the beginning of the Tenancy and again at the end. In most cases, the deposit will be returned once any damages are ascertained by the Tenant/Landlord/Inventory Clerk and appropriate deductions agreed.

9. The most common type of Tenancy Agreement is the assured shorthold used for 6-12 month lets and usually takes the form of a standard contract between both parties.

However, should any “extras” be agreed such as certain furnishings to be provided by the Landlord, you should ask that an extra clause be added to the agreement to this effect. It should be noted that the Landlord is not obliged to carry out promises so it is important that your requests are documented.

10. We will deal with the property viewings, references, agreements and getting you moved in. If we manage the property then you will normally report any repairs or queries to us. If not, then you will deal directly with the Landlord.

11. As Letting Agents, whilst acting for the Landlord, we operate within accepted guidelines in the industry to ensure that you are able to rely on a professional service taking your concerns seriously and advising the Landlord if they are being unreasonable.