Registration
Registering with Vogue Property Solutions is very simple. We ask for our prospective tenants to be as detailed as possible with the type of property that they are looking at renting. In return, we ensure that your time is utilised by showing you the right properties within your criteria.
A typical list of questions below highlights exactly what you will be asked from an agent.
• When do you need to move?
• What is your weekly or monthly budget?
• How many bedrooms are you looking for?
• Are you working?
• What areas are you looking? Do you have any preference?
• Do you require the property furnished, unfurnished or are you flexible?
• Do you have any other specifics? i.e. garden, close to transport and shops, parking, etc.
Viewings
All viewings will be accompanied by a member of the management team of Vogue Property Solutions. You will either be chauffeur driven or met at the property. Please book your appointments when you have selected the properties you wish to view. Viewings can be done Monday to Saturday.
Agreeing the Tenancy
If you find a property you wish to rent and the rental price has been agreed, then a preliminary holding deposit is held against the property whilst references are taken. Please remember that in the transaction we act for the Landlord although we will do all that we can to ensure your needs are met.
Once the references are in and approved a Tenancy Agreement is produced for both yourself and the landlord to sign.
Tenants and landlords receive copies of all documents.
Rent and Deposit
You will be required to leave a deposit equivalent to four to eight weeks rent which is held during the tenancy against the satisfactory performance by the tenant of all the various obligations under the tenancy agreement. Main issues arising to deposits are those relating to the cleanliness, damages and condition of the property.
The relevant clauses in the tenancy agreement should set out who is to hold the deposit (e.g. agent or landlord), whether interest is to be paid or not, what the deposit can be allocated for and the end of tenancy procedures and timescales for its refund.
Ideally, most agents will be signed up to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) or Mydeposits.co.uk which means that in the event of an unresolved dispute over the allocation of the deposit, it can be referred to the scheme for a prompt, independent, third party adjudication. The adjudicator then provides a resolution which is fair to both landlord and tenant.
Rents are always paid in advance. Therefore, the date of when your tenancy commences is when your rent is due. In normal cases, if you moved into a property on the 1st of the month, then your rent will be due on the 1st of every month, unless specified in the terms of your tenancy agreement.
Inventory
Some landlords will have a professional Inventory drawn up which will list the contents of the property and their condition. This is drawn up by an independent company.
There are two main parts to our inventory service, the first is the main inventory and check in report, secondly, the check out report when the tenants finish their tenancy.
A well-prepared inventory and check-in report protects landlords and tenants alike, providing an accurate description of the condition and contents of a property at the start of a tenancy. This will help to prevent and resolve problems before they become major issues. Photographs can be taken where directed.
The condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy is then compared back to this report in the form of a check-out report. The inventory clerk will also provide an opinion on whether any damage that has arisen during the tenancy is attributable to the tenants, to ‘fair wear and tear’ or to the landlord as required maintenance.
After Check Out, landlord and tenant will be asked to agree the terms of the deposit return. If they do not agree on any deductions to be made, (i.e. there is a dispute) it will be referred to the new adjudication services.
Adjudicators will review all documents (inventories, check in schedules, check out reports etc) before reaching judgments on disputes. It is therefore vital that all evidence is full, detailed, unbiased and preferably independent.
The new Legislation is designed to protect tenants. Landlords will now be required to ‘prove their case’ if they wish to deduct from tenants deposits. See further details regarding the new Legislation.
Vogue Property Solutions offer an in depth inventory containing digital photographs along with the check in report. A copy goes to both the tenant and the landlord. At check out, another inventory is done with photographs taken of any damage that may be attributable to tenants.
It is usual that the landlord pays for the Check In and the tenant pays for the Check out.
Check in and Check out
Vogue Property Solutions will arrange at your convenience a check in time for you to move into your new rented property. This is arranged through our independent company. This can be normally done by meeting the check in clerk directly at the property or alternatively, we arrange for you to be chauffeur driven from our office to your new rented property.
When your tenancy comes to an end, Vogue Property Solutions can arrange for a check out to be carried out from our independent company. There is normally a charge for this, but we strongly recommend for this to be done. We advice our tenants to book this in advance by contacting us 14 days before tenancy ends.