Although Letting Agents have different procedures, this guide is intended as a general overview to assist you when renting a property. We have set out below a few significant pointers to assist you.

YOUR OFFER Once we have found your suitable property, you will be in a position to make an offer to the Landlord for consideration. Please note that any offer you make would be subject to you fulfilling our reference criteria.

At this point, you will be requested to provide a RESERVATION FEE which holds the property for you. However, if the Tenancy Agreement is not signed by you (the Tenant) within 7 to 14 working days after receipt of your application, the Landlord reserves the right to re-offer the property. In these circumstances or, should your references prove unsatisfactory, the reservation/application fee would be non-refundable.

AGREEING THE LET - As soon as your offer has been accepted by the Landlord, we will apply for references and draw up the relevant documentation which will form the basis of the agreement between you and the Landlord.

You will be expected to provide:

IDENTIFICATION/PROOF OF RESIDENCY
All tenants must show proof of address. Only the following forms of identification are accepted:

•  Utility bill (less than 3 months old)
•  Full driving license
•  Council tax bill (less than 3 months old)
•  Mobile phone bill (less than 3 months old)


REFERENCES
We will contact your employer and, if you are in rented accommodation already, your landlord. Your previous employer will also be contacted if you have recently changed jobs. If you are self employed we will need to contact your accountant. A credit check will also be conducted.

To assist us in collating the necessary references, it would be advantageous for you to warn the above individuals in advance that references are required so these can be returned to us as a matter of urgency.

Occasionally, a GUARANTOR will be required if, for example the tenant has not been continuously employed for the past 18 months; has been working abroad in the previous 6 months; the tenants' income falls short of our criteria or the tenants' employment is considered as changeable.

Please note that the same criteria applies to the guarantor and, furthermore, the guarantor must earn the equivalent of 3 times the yearly sum of the rent, be in full time employment or be able to prove by bank statements that they have “independent means”. All tenants should be able to provide a guarantor and should a guarantor be requested by the referencing company and the tenant is unable to provide one, we will withdraw their application. The tenant will therefore forfeit their deposit.

The guarantor must be aware that they will stand as guarantor for you, (and your partner if you are moving in to the property with some one else), for the entire occupancy of the property, not just for the period of the initial tenancy term.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO EARN TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PROPERTY?
Having passed all the referencing criteria to be considered for the property and, subject to the Landlord's decision, you must earn at least 1.5 times the yearly rent (however, you will require a guarantor) or at least 2.5 times the yearly rent (you will qualify on the income part of the referencing without a guarantor).Reverse

TENANCY AGREEMENT An appointment will be arranged for you to visit our offices to sign the Tenancy Agreement when all references have been received. The Landlord will also be asked to sign their copy of the document.

RENT AND DEPOSIT You will be required to provide the agreed sum of rent and deposit in cleared funds before taking possession of the property.

The deposit is required for the full tenancy against loss, damage or charges payable at the termination of the tenancy. Whilst this is usually the equivalent of one month's rent, this may vary. Therefore we suggest that the actual amount is verified via the property description as found on our letting list. The deposit will be held by Lawlors Property Services in our designated clients' account and is fully bonded. It is returnable in full at the end of the tenancy subject to final inspection of the property and it should be noted that deductions will also be made for cleaning if the property (and/or garden areas) are not left in a satisfactory condition.

Rent is to be paid monthly in advance commencing on the first day of the tenancy and then on the same day each month thereafter.

FEES - Click here for Fees

COMPANY LET - Company applications are acceptable where the company will be paying the rent. Click here for Company Let

Please note that all monies are to be paid on the signing of the agreement prior to the occupation. Payment can be by cash, bank transfer, bankers draft, or cheque but we must have cleared funds before you are able to move into the property.

CHECK IN AND INVENTORY - If we have been instructed by the Landlord, an Inventory will be prepared of your new home and a convenient appointment will be made to carry out a Check In report to coincide with your move in day.

All information is provided in good faith. It does not replace the advice of a qualified legal advisor. We will accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies