Renting a property can be a minefield. Choosing the right agent is very important. Using Whites guarantees you a member of staff who will be your own personal contact from start to finish. Our fee structure is very transparent so you know exactly what your liabilities are.
If you are renting one of our managed properties and experience any maintenance issues, we can promise to have matters dealt with as speedily as possible.
Tenant Services
Renting a property can often feel complicated, which is why choosing the right agent is important. At Whites, we aim to provide a clear, professional and supportive service from start to finish, with a dedicated member of staff available to assist you throughout your tenancy.
We pride ourselves on transparent communication and straightforward processes, ensuring you understand your responsibilities and rights at every stage of your tenancy.
For tenants renting one of our managed properties, we aim to deal with maintenance issues as promptly and efficiently as possible through our proactive property management service.
Permitted Payments
In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, tenants will not be charged administration or referencing fees when renting through Whites. The only permitted payments are outlined below.
Holding Deposit
(To reserve a property – subject to contract)
Before your application can be considered, a holding deposit equivalent to one week’s rent is required to reserve the property.
Once the holding deposit has been paid, the proposed tenancy agreement should generally be entered into within 15 days, unless an alternative timescale is agreed in writing.
The holding deposit may be retained if:
- You decide not to proceed with the tenancy;
- You fail to take all reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy agreement;
- You provide false or misleading information during the application process;
- You fail a Right to Rent check under immigration legislation;
- You fail to sign the tenancy agreement or take occupation of the property by the agreed start date without reasonable explanation.
If the landlord decides not to proceed with the tenancy for reasons unrelated to the above, the holding deposit will be refunded within 7 days.
Where a tenancy proceeds, the holding deposit will usually be credited towards the first month’s rent or tenancy deposit.
Written confirmation will always be provided where a holding deposit is retained.
Tenancy Deposit
Where applicable, the tenancy deposit will be calculated in accordance with current legislation, which is typically equivalent to five weeks’ rent for most residential tenancies.
All tenancy deposits are protected within a government approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. Whites uses the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (Member Number G01538).
Deposits are protected within the required legal timescales, and prescribed information will be provided to tenants following registration.
Whites Residential Lettings Ltd is also a member of Propertymark Client Money Protection Scheme (Reference C0015614).
After the tenancy agreement has been signed by all parties the first month’s rent and cleared tenancy deposit funds must be received prior to the commencement of the tenancy. We recommend bank transfer payments are made sufficiently in advance of the tenancy start date to allow funds to clear
Rent Payments
The first month’s rent and cleared tenancy deposit funds must be received prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
We recommend bank transfer payments are made sufficiently in advance of the tenancy start date to allow funds to clear.
Default Charges
In line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, charges may only be made in certain circumstances permitted by law, including:
- Lost keys or security devices;
- Late payment of rent where applicable under legislation;
- Changes requested by the tenant to the tenancy agreement;
- Early termination of the tenancy requested by the tenant.
Any such charges will be reasonable and supported by evidence where appropriate.
Further Information
For more information regarding tenant rights, permitted payments and renting legislation, please refer to the UK Government guidance on renting property in England.