Housing and Money
Deposits
A deposit is a security payment. It is very common to pay a deposit when signing a contract, it should not be any greater than the equivalent of two months rent, although most commonly deposits tend to be one months rent. Deposits should be returned to you in full unless the landlord/lady has a reasonable claim to withhold it. When you pay your deposit, make sure you get a receipt for it.
A landlord/ lady may keep part or all of it to:
- replace or repair damaged articles
- clean the premises in order to restore them to a lettable condition
- replace locks or keys if they are not returned on time
- remove any large amounts of rubbish left in the property
- cover non-payment of bills or rent
Landlords cannot keep deposits to cover fair wear and tear. All property declines through use and it is impossible to prevent this.
Retainers
Some landlords ask for a retainer to cover the property over the summer period when you are not in tenancy. In general it is half the normal rent, and it does not allow to you to live in or enjoy full occupancy of the property. There is no such thing as a full-rent retainer. If you pay your landord/lady full rent then you are entitled to remain in the property over the period for which it covers.
If you do not want to pay a retainer then you are fairly unlikely to find a property. However, some people choose not to and may be lucky enough to find a property in September or October.
Guarantors
A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover a tenant against non-payment of rent. It is not necessary to have a guarantor when you rent a property, but some landlords/ ladies may ask for one. It is important that whoever agrees to be guarantor is clear about what it is they are agreeing to. If you are sharing a house with other people, make sure that each tenant has their own guarantor and that each guarantor has an individual contract for one tenant only. If there is only one guarantor then that person will be held responsible for the full rent for all the tenants in the property.
Bills and Rates
You pay for what you consume unless it is included in the rent.
If you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, it is very unlikely that the rent you will pay will include bills. Therefore when you move into your house, it is your responsibility to make sure that gas, electricity and the phone bills are registered in your name and are paid by the household. The landlord/ lady will not be responsible for them. If when you move in the property is still connected, contact the suppliers and inform them of the day when you moved into the property and make sure that the account is in your name from this date. This will help protect you in case previous tenants have left unpaid bills.
It is an offence for a landlord/ lady to overcharge on a meter. Fiddling with meters is also illegal!
Before you leave the property, make sure that you have informed the Gas, Electricity and Phone Boards of the day when you will be moving out. They can then arrange for final bills to be sent to you.
Always give notice in writing and keep a copy of the letter.
Water and Sewerage Rates – you may have to pay these. There is often an element in your rent that contributes to this, so check your contract to see who has to pay these rates.