New Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) signed on or after 1st June 2019
As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments.
Permitted payments for Tenants
Before the tenancy starts (payable to Squires Estate Agents Ltd ‘the Agent’):
Holding Deposit: 1 week rent – This payment is made to the Agent to reserve a property. This will be withheld in the event that the relevant people withdraw from the tenancy, or, if they provide false information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement by the mutually agreed deadline (between landlord and tenant).
Security Deposit: 5 weeks rent – This amount covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy. This is held in a government scheme (Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS)).
During the tenancy (payable to the Agent)
Payment of £60 (inc. VAT if you (the tenant) want to change the tenancy agreement
Unpaid rent – Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of 3% above Bank of England base rate.
Actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the locks need to be changed as a result of losing keys or security device the tenant will pay the actual cost of replacing the lock / security device.
Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy
During the tenancy (payable to the provider) if permitted and applicable
Utilities – gas, electricity, water
Communications – telephone and broadband
Installation of cable/satellite
Subscription to cable/satellite supplier
Television licence
Council Tax
Please note: As the tenant you are responsible for notifying any relevant companies that you are moving into/out of a property and that you have a valid TV license during the duration of your tenancy. Utility companies will also always require the occupant to provide access for any visit.
Other permitted payments
Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.
Taxation
If you pay rent directly to your landlord’s bank account and your landlord is resident overseas, you will be responsible for applying the provisions of the HM Revenue and Customs Non-Resident Landlords scheme for taxing UK rental income and should ask us for advice on this.
Tenant protection
Squires Estate Agents Ltd is a member of Client Money Protect Scheme, which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of The Property Ombudsman, which is a redress scheme. You can find out more details on the agent’s website or by contacting the agent directly.
Management of the property
At the start of the tenancy we will advise you on who is responsible for managing the property as Squires Estate Agents do not always manage the properties. Where we are not managing the property we cannot authorise any repairs or maintenance, or guarantee the speed at which repairs will be carried out. Where we are managing the property, we may have to obtain the landlord’s consent before proceeding with a repair.
Where we manage a property and hold keys, we can usually provide access to contractors (with your permission). However, where we do not hold keys or the contractor is not willing to collect keys, it is your responsibility to provide access.
Amendments
Squires Estate Agents Ltd reserves the right to change the schedule of fees and these terms of business upon providing reasonable notice in writing.
