Tenant Application Form
Please click here to access the online tenant application form to apply for a property to rent.
Report a maintenance issue with your property
To report any maintenance issues with your property please click on the link below and complete the online form and we will respond to you quickly. Please do not report these issues by Whatsapp , email, text etc as this may delay a response.
https://astlettings-maintenance.10ninety.co.uk/
Property Information for Tenants
We let and manage furnished and unfurnished flats and houses throughout Loughborough and surrounding areas.
Remember to check our website regularly as we are always adding new properties to our listings.
Please note that for your safety and peace of mind
- All of our managed properties are ‘Gas safe’ certificated (where applicable) and inspected for electrical safety, and furniture fire safety.
- Security deposits (bonds) are held by the Deposit Protection Service.
- We are members of the Deposit Protection Service which provides tenants with an independent route to dispute resolution.
- We hold client money protection with Client Money Protect , membership number CMP0002778 -click here for a copy of the certificate.
- We are members of the Property Redress Scheme , membership number PRS000603 – click here for a copy of the certificate.
Guide for Tenants
Finding a property
The first step is to contact us to provide brief details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. You can do this by phone or e-mail. We then search our database for suitable properties for you to view. If your needs are not urgent, we log your details and can contact you as suitable properties become available. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move.
We are able to assist housing benefit claimants on certain properties.
Our tenancies are granted for a minimum term of 6/12 months.
Viewings
Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you and you will invariably be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.
Reserving the property
Once you have decided on a property, you will need to reserve it by paying a holding deposit , which is normally 1 weeks rent , see below for further details of the strict timescales for a reply by you , and upon receipt of the holding deposit & return of the signed Initial Holding Deposit form we will forward by email the application forms for completion. Once completed the form should be returned to our office , preferably by email, together with copies of all the necessary documents to support your application. We are not permitted to process more than one application for a property at any one time. The tenancy of the property is subject to satisfactory references and is subject to contract.
References
You will be given an application form that asks for satisfactory references to be given. The tenancy cannot proceed without these references. These will be from your employer, previous landlords and your bank. We will also require a personal reference, and occasionally a guarantor. A full credit check will be undertaken. We use the services of an independent referencing company Homelet, to obtain and evaluate these references.
AST Lettings Ltd is registered with the data protection agency and information obtained is held within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Rents
Rents are most commonly quoted on a calendar month basis and payable 1 month in advance. In most cases, you are also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity, TV licence and Telephone costs, unless a specific agreement is made to the contrary. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account.
Tenancy Deposit
A security deposit equivalent to five weeks rent must be paid, and will be held by the Deposit Protection Service, throughout the tenancy term. Where we are not the managing agents, the landlord is responsible to pass on the tenancy deposit to a custodial or insurance based deposit protection scheme. The deposit (or bond) is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by you to cover rent. Cost effective insurance can be taken out to protect your security deposit – ask for details.
Holding Deposits
Holding deposits will be limited to a maximum of 1 week’s rent and the conditions for the payment are briefly:
- The landlord has 15 days to make a decision on a tenancy application once a holding deposit is taken.
- If the tenancy does not go ahead then the money must be repaid in full within 7 days of the deadline being reached or the landlord backing out.
- Repayment does not need to be in full if you back out of the tenancy agreement yourself, you fail right to rent checks, have provided false or misleading information, you apply for multiple properties and refuse to sign a tenancy agreement within the 15 day period when your application is accepted or where the landlord tries their best to get the information needed but you fail to provide it within the 15 days however the Landlord must give you written notice of the intention to retain the holding deposit within 7 days of reaching the decision.
- If the tenancy does go ahead, the holding deposit must be returned within 7 days of agreement, unless it is converted into part payment of the actual tenancy deposit or used towards the initial rent payment.
Tenant Fees
During the Tenancy (payable to the Agent or the Landlord)
Rent: Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of 3% above Bank of England base rate from the date due. Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy.
Change of Tenancy: Payment of a charge equal to half of one month’s rent (or not exceeding the landlord’s costs incurred in reletting the property or rent that is outstanding) to be released early from your Tenancy agreement by mutual agreement , subject to the Landlord’s approval.
Any other changes to the tenancy agreement (per change) – A charge capped at £50 per change
Keys: Payment for the reasonably incurred cost for the loss of keys, security devices or car parking permits. An invoice will be provided to confirm the costs incurred.
Pets: Payment of £25 per month per pet, subject to the Landlord’s approval.
During the Tenancy (payable to the relevant authority or supplier), if permitted and applicable Local Authority: Council tax, community charge or similar tax. Utilities: The supply and usage for water and sewage, gas, electricity and fuel oil. Communications: Television licence, provision of a telephone line and installation and subscription of cable/satellite and broadband.
Other permitted payments: Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.
If you require a reference at the end of the tenancy we will charge your new landlord or letting agent a fee of £25.00 per reference requested.
Tenant fees can no longer be charged to tenants from 1 June 2019 save for permitted charges allowed by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 as set out above.
Specialist Tenant Insurance
Various tenant insurance products are available. For full details of these products and service along with advice on how to get a quote, please contact us for a free leaflet.