Tenants Info
We let and manage furnished and unfurnished flats and
houses throughout Skelmersdale and West Lancs. Please click
on 'Properties' above to view a shortlist, although our
stock changes daily and you should contact
us for current availability or to register
your requirements. Please note that for your safety and
peace of mind -
• All of our managed properties are CORGI
gas safety certificated, and inspected for electrical
safety, and furniture
fire safety
• Security
deposits (bonds) are managed and protected fully in accordance with
government regulations. In the past tenants have received interest on
their deposits but now with the bank rates so low, in
January 2009, the scheme we use no longer pays interest.
You can use the menu bar above to find other related
information.
Guide for Tenants
Finding a property
Skelmersdale and West Lancs
The first step is to contact us to provide brief
details about yourself and about the accommodation you
require. We then search our database for suitable
properties for you to view. If not urgent, we log your
details so that we can contact you as suitable properties
become available. It is wise to start looking about a
month before you wish to move, as the nicer properties are
viewed and reserved quickly. Our tenancies
are granted for a minimum term of six months.
Other Areas
If you are looking for a property to rent outside West Lancs,
please go to our UK
Network page.
Viewings
Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including
evenings and weekends, 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', usually equivalent to one
week's rent. Assuming that the
tenancy goes ahead, this will be deducted from the monies due before you
move in. If the landlord declines to grant the tenancy, it
will be refunded. However
the deposit will be forfeit if you decide not to proceed for any reason,
or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information
in your application.
References
As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from
your employer (or college), and a previous or current landlord.
We may also require a personal
reference, and sometimes a guarantor. In addition a credit check will be
undertaken. We may use the services of an independent referencing
company to obtain and
evaluate these references.
Rents
Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly, and payable monthly
in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council
Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity
and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our
company bank account.
Deposit
A security deposit of a minimum of one month's rental must
be paid, and will be held by ourselves in accordance with
government regulations throughout
the tenancy term. This 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 the tenant to cover rent.
Fees
When you have found the property you want, and made a formal
application, each applicant pays us a small fee to cover
our administration costs and
legal fees.
Applicants on benefits
We do not have a hard and fast rule about applicants in
receipt of benefits. Our main concerns are the same as for
any applicants. On behalf of the landlord we have to be
convinced that you have the ability to pay the rent on time
(monthly or four weekly in advance) and will be inclined to
respect and look after the property. You will of course also
have to have enough money for the deposit. We are happy to
assist you if you are relying on benefits, subject to the
particular landlord's policy, provided that you can show a
good rent payment and tenancy record or otherwise make a
good case, perhaps with a guarantor, for us to take to the
landlord.
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Insurance - for Tenants
As appointed agents for HomeLet we are able to
offer a variety of insurance policies for both landlords
and tenants, including the following -
Contents
Up to your selected sum insured for damage to your household furniture, equipment,
furnishings, clothing and personal possessions whilst in your home (excludes
business equipment).
Landlord's Contents
Up to £2,500 for accidental damage to your landlord's contents, fixtures & fittings
for which you are responsible.
Personal Possessions
Up to your selected sum insured for loss or accidental damage to your clothing,
watches, jewellery, spectacles, other valuables (excluding mobile telephones)
and pedal cycles whilst away from your home anywhere in the UK or whilst temporarily
elsewhere in the world. Theft from unattended vehicles must be from a locked
boot.
Further details are available on request.
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