A. Firstly give us a call to arrange a viewing and agree an offer. We will take a small deposit form you to hold the property and as soon as we’ve received it we give you a receipt and the rental property is taken off the rental market immediately. Once we have received your references the contract will be signed and you can move in, with the deposit deducted from the monies.

A. For convenience for all concerned we prefer a direct bank payment, however we can also take a cash sum for deposits.

A. This will be laid out in your offer, with the most commonplace rents being six months for a short let, and twelve months or longer for and assured shorthold (AST). Within the terms of your contract, you are bound to pay the rent in full until the agreement comes to an end.

A. Any break clauses need to be written into the tenancy agreement offer. Landlords will most often offer a break clause if you are moving in over winter because they are more reluctant to take back possession of the property during these months.

A. This is equivalent to 5-6 weeks of the standard annual rent, and is to assure the landlord that the property will be in the same state as when you moved in. We can carefully check the inventory checklist to minimize any deposit being returned, however we do advise that you keep the property looked after to a high standard to expect a full deposit returned.

A. You need to have paid the advanced rent ant the tenant deposit before you are given the property keys.

A. We, Charles & Derby Estates, are responsible for registering the deposits with the appropriate DPS. The landlord can manage the deposit themselves in some cases.

A. Usually landlords will allow tenants to bring their pets with them, however due to the damage that some larger animals such as dogs and cats can cause to furnishings, they may have it specifically written into the agreement that no pets are allowed and this must be adhered to.

A. References provide both the lettings agent and the landlord the peace of mind that the tenancy will be trouble free. We require 3 years of employment history and the same amount of time for your history of past rentals. We will also require a credit check to be undertaken, and if you do not meet the criteria then a guarantor could be requested – or an extended rental amount paid in advance.

A. Yes, you can rent a property if you’re an international student, we do require at least six months rent in advance in this case.

A. We assure you will be given a full refund of your deposit.

A. You will be liable for losing the full deposit regardless of the reasons

A. This is different in each rental, sometimes the bills are included in the rental and is marked as ‘bills included’, but most of the time the tenant will pay all of these inclusive of their own council tax. When you begin your tenancy we make sure all bills are transferred to your account and we set the current meter readings as you take over.

A. This can happen only if either the landlord or ourselves give you explicit permission. The new tenant would have to be vetted and references given before this is allowed to happen. You will also be liable to pay £150 inclusive of VAT to change the tenant.

A. Unfortunately not, we require rent to be paid in full from only one account. We do not rent out rooms on an individual basis even if you share it with friends or relatives.