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Tenants Guide

Looking for quality rental property in and around the Surrey and West Sussex area?

Our award-winning lettings team is ready to help you find your ideal next new rental property.

Be the first to know about new rental properties coming to market.

Competition for rental property is incredibly fierce and many properties are let before even reaching the property portals.

That's why we recommend that prospective tenants register with us so that we can let them know as soon as a new rental property that fits their criteria is about to be listed or soon to become available.

When you register with us, not only will you be ahead of the queue for new properties, we can also prequalify you so that you are ready to rent when your property match becomes available, and more likely to be accepted as a tenant by landlords.

What to expect when applying to become a tenant...

Becoming a tenant can seem quite complicated but at Clarendons we make the whole process simple and straightforward, and whether this is your first time renting or your fifth, we're here to guide you through the procedure and answer any of your questions or queries.

As part of the process we carry out several vetting procedures before you sign your Tenancy Agreement.

Tenant Checks:

• Affordability – We will require proof of income and bank statements for the last 3 months
• Credit Check - Having a poor credit rating does not necessarily mean you will not be able to rent, but you may require a guarantor or an upfront rent payment to do so
• Previous Landlord Reference (or another applicable referee should you be a first-time renter)
• Guarantor Checks (if applicable). Your guarantor will be subject to credit checks and be able to pay your rent if you are unable to do so
• Right to Rent Check - This is a legal requirement and you will need to provide us with one of the following:
• A UK passport
• An EU/EEA passport or identity card, permanent residence card
• A travel document showing indefinite leave to remain
• A visa (if applicable)
• A Home Office immigration status document or a certificate of registration/naturalisation as a British citizen

What not to expect...

Referencing FEES!

You will not be charged a fee for

• Referencing
• Administration
• Credit checks
• Right to Rent checks
• Your Tenancy Agreement (AST – Assure Shorthold Tenancy)
• Renewing your tenancy when your fixed term contract ends

The only FEES that are permittable are for:

• Late rent
• Lost keys
• Ending your tenancy early
• Changing or transferring your tenancy

Deposits

Once you have found your ideal rental property, to secure it and ensure that it isn't let to another applicant, you will be required to pay a holding deposit of the equivalent of a week's rent. This deposit is non-refundable should you for some reason change your mind and do not take up your tenancy. If your prospective landlord decides not to accept you as a tenant, this deposit is fully refundable.

Once all of our vetting procedures are complete and you are ready to sign your tenancy agreement, you will be required to pay an additional deposit of four weeks rent which will be added to your initial holding deposit, making your full deposit five weeks rent.

This deposit will be registered with our chosen Deposit Protection Service. We will send you details of the scheme your money is held in and your DPS reference details as soon as this has been completed.

Your deposit is refundable at the end of your tenancy. However, deductions may be made to pay for rent arrears or for any damage to your property.

We also have an innovative new option called Deposit Replacement Scheme (DRS), whereby rather than paying five weeks deposit that is tied up for the length of your tenancy, you can pay one week's rent and have an insurance-backed guarantee for the equivelent of five weeks rent, therefore freeing up extra cash to spend on you. Please contact us for further details. 

Your Tenancy Agreement

In most instances, your Tenancy Agreement will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST).

This is an important and legally binding document so it is important that you read it thoroughly and fully understand everything within it, as it helps to protect both you and your landlord in the unlikely event there is an issue during your tenancy.

Before signing your agreement, please talk to us if there is anything you don't fully understand.

Ready to start the search for your new rental home?

Talk to our friendly and helpful lettings team today or register for property alerts HERE.

We look forward to handing over the keys to your new rental home very soon.