In addition to the rental fee, tenants are responsible for, and may also be required to make, the following payments which are permitted under the Tenant Fee Act 2019

HOLDING DEPOSIT: This will be the equivalent of one week’s rent (calculation, times the monthly rent by 12 months and divide by 52 weeks in a year).

This fee will be withheld if any relevant person (including guarantor(s)):

• Applicant fails the right to rent check and prior to accepting the deposit, John Hilton did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know
• Provides materially significant, false or misleading information that was relevant to grant the tenancy, ie a prospective tenant lied about their income
• Notifies John Hilton before the deadline for agreement (as mutually agreed in writing) that they have decided not to enter into the tenancy agreement
• Fails to take all reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy agreement before the deadline for agreement, ie failure to provide information and/or sign their tenancy agreement

The holding deposit will be deducted from the first month’s rental or refunded if the tenancy is not taken up, unless one of the above criteria applies.

TENANCY DEPOSIT: The tenancy deposit is usually between 4 and 6 weeks worth of rent, is payable prior to the start of the tenancy and is held under a Government approved scheme for the duration of the agreement. John Hilton currently use MyDeposits, however some landlord’s may use other schemes and this information will be shown on the tenancy agreement (you will receive a draft copy of the tenancy agreement when you show an interest in a property). Typically, John Hilton will require a deposit of 5 weeks worth of rent for tenancies up to a rental value of £50,000 per annum or 6 weeks if there is a higher rental value.

The tenancy deposit is held to secure the Landlord against damages or other defaults of the tenancy agreement. At the end of the tenancy agreement, the deposit will be refunded in full providing:

• The terms of the tenancy agreement have been met
• There is no damage to the property
• All rent and bills are paid in full.

MID-TENANCY FEES:

VARIATION OF CONTRACT: If the Tenant requires a variation of a tenancy agreement (ie request to keep a pet such as an addendum / change of tenant), costs to cover taking Landlord’s instructions and the execution of a new contract will be charged to the tenant. Costs for the execution of a new contract including VAT is capped at £50.00 unless reasonable costs incurred are proven to be greater (ie in the event that a novation of tenancy is requested, additional referencing fees may be incurred, paper work as well as deposit changes).

EARLY TENANCY TERMINATION: Assured shorthold tenancy agreements are for a fixed period and there is no right therefore for a tenant to terminate their agreement early. However, any request will be considered on a case by case basis. If the Landlord grants permission to terminate the tenancy early, the tenant shall be liable to the Landlord’s reasonable costs in re-letting the property which may include marketing costs. Other reasonable costs will include referencing, a drawn up deed of surrender, and deposit protection fee. In addition, rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy will be incurred and is subject to an agreement with the landlord, referencing and contracts. Fees to be incurred will be agreed with the tenant prior to any termination agreement.’

LATE RENT CHARGES: Pay interest on any amounts of Rent due and in arrears by in excess of 14 days at the rate of 3% above the Bank of England annual base rate calculated on a day to day basis from the date that the same shall become due until payment in full is made

REPLACEMENT/ADDITIONAL KEYS: Tenants are responsible for the keys or security devices handed to them as part of the tenancy agreement. If additional keys or security devices are required, or keys or security devices have to be replaced this will be charged to the tenant. If the loss of the key (or other security device) results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith to adequately secure the property will be charged to the tenant. £10 + VAT per key.

COUNCIL TAX: This is the responsibility of the tenants, if you are a student you may be exempt from paying council tax but you will need to submit your details directly to the local council.

GAS, ELECTRICITY, WATER & INTERNET/BROADBAND: This is the responsibility of the tenants, unless otherwise stated.

INSTALLATION OF CABLE/SATELLITE: Costs are the responsibility of the tenant if not an available resource when the property is originally let. However, the authorisation of the Landlord must be obtained prior to any works or costs being incurred. It may be possible to secure agreement for installation costs from the Landlord if requested.

TV LICENSE AND SERVICES (Sky, Netflix etc): Subscription costs and licensing are the responsibility of the tenants.

TENANTS CONTENTS INSURANCE: Landlords will hold building insurance, but their insurance will not cover personal possessions against damage or theft, or damage to contents caused by mishaps/accidents. It is therefore advised that tenants seek their own contents insurance to protect important things like your laptop or bicycle and to cover the costs of any potential mishaps or damage caused to the property and its contents.