Some hints for tenants...

When you start to look for a home to rent

  • Check your budget – do your figures carefully
  • Look where you can afford – Search the property portals before you go out looking
  • If you’re don’t have a regular income– get a UK based guarantor for your rent – more doors will be open for you.
  • Make sure you’re happy with your property – don’t take the first thing you see unless you know its right.
  • If you’re sharing – make sure you’re happy with your co tenants - be satisfied that they can and will pay the bills and that you’re happy with arrangements like who has which room.

When you think you’ve found something …

  • Make sure you meet the landlord or managing agent– visit their office to see their operation – you’ll have to deal with them when there are questions or maintenance issues.
  • Enquire about maintenance procedures.
  • Check the condition of the flat carefully, and have a planned route map to resolving existing issues that may be ongoing. (such as maintenance)
  • Check that the boiler in the flat has been properly maintained and that there is a current gas safety Certificate.
  • From 1st October, each property will need an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Check it – it will give you an indication of how efficient the property is and may give some indication of how expensive the property will be to run.
  • With most MBMRingley rentals, your deposit will be held in a separate client’s account. This account is reconciled monthly in accordance with RICS rules and Regulations.
  • The deposit is there so that the landlord has funds to call upon in the event that the flat is handed back with problems other than those caused by wear and tear.
  • All deposits are registered with The Deposit Scheme as recommended by the RICS (www.thedisputeservice.com).
  • Landlords are able to hold deposits or register them in their own name providing they provide us with proof that they are registered with a tenancy deposit scheme.

While you’re living there…

  • Pay your rent by Standing order or Direct Debit where appropriate this takes the responsibility away from you to physically make the payment every month.
  • Monitor your bills carefully and stay up to date paying monthly if possible.
  • If there are any maintenance issues you must report them in writing to us at info@mbmringley.co.uk.
  • Keep your property in good order. Remember that any evidence of mistreatment, wilful damage and/or neglect may result in monies being deducted from your deposit during or at the conclusion of the tenancy.

When its time to go...

  • clean the flat thoroughly, fix anything that is easily fixed and have the carpets cleaned to a professional standard.
  • Inform all utility companies and the borough council of the date the tenancy concludes. You will need to provide proof that all bills HAVE BEEN PAID before receiving the entire or part of your deposit back. Start early and the process will be quicker and smoother for all parties concerned
  • Vacate the property on the date of the end of the tenancy leaving it in good condition and handing back ALL keys to the agent/Landlord.

The MBM tenant’s procedure – 10 steps to moving in to your new home / what has to be done before you move in

When you have found your ideal property through MBM this is the process that we follow from the time you put down your holding deposit to the time you move in.

  1. A holding deposit equal to 1 weeks rent is lodged with MBMRingley
  2. Prospective tenants then complete application forms (link to tenant application forms) which tell us everything we need to know about you. These details are then checked on the following criteria:
    1. Credit check
    2. Previous Landlord
    3. Current employment
    4. Personal reference
  3. The time this takes for your checks to be done will depend on the accuracy and fullness of the information provided.
  4. Once the checks have been authorised the following monies are paid:
  5. The balance of the Calendar Month and a half deposit is paid together with either
  6. a full months rent in advance If the subject property is NOT managed by MBMRingley, or
  7. An apportionment of rent to the 6th of the following month (if you are moving into an MBMRingley managed property)
  8. A detailed photo inventory is carried out on the property which includes meter readings
  9. Once funds have cleared into our account the keys may be handed over and you are clear to move in
  10. We arrange for all existing services to be put into your name