Guide for Prospective Tenants

Information for tenants on fees and policies

The following is a guide for prospective tenants highlighting the process and costs involved when renting a property via Horton and Garton. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact our team on 020 8819 0511.

Holding Deposit

Any offer accepted by the landlord is subject to satisfactory references and a contract. The holding deposit amount is equivalent to one week’s rent.

The holding deposit can be held for up to 15 calendar days, until what is known as the Deadline for Agreement. The tenant will forfeit their holding deposit in the event of; a) The tenant fails a Right to Rent check. b) The tenant provides false or misleading information to the landlord or letting agent, which materially affects their suitability to rent the property. c) The tenant notifies the landlord or letting agent before the deadline for agreement that they have decided not to enter into a tenancy agreement. d) The tenant fails to take all reasonable steps to enter into a tenancy agreement.

Confirmation of acceptance

Following receipt of the holding deposit payment, a document will be sent to you confirming the terms of the acceptance of your offer.

Referencing

Referencing will be carried out by a third party company, Horton and Garton will provide you with the necessary application forms to complete. Once the referencing has been completed the final reports are issued to the landlord for their approval.

In line with the Immigration Act and ‘Right to Rent’ checks, we require all tenants to produce documents which show entitlement to reside in the UK, copies of relevant documents will be taken and retained.

Statement of accounts

A statement of accounts will be issued in conjunction with the tenancy agreement for signing and other associated documentation.

This will be an invoice for funds that will need to be paid prior to the start of the tenancy, including the security deposit and advance rental payment.

Pets

If a pet is to be kept at the property this must be clarified in writing, when submitting your offer.

Tenant swap

Should a tenant swap occur during the tenancy, whereby one tenant is removed from the tenancy and replaced by another, a fee of £50 shall be applicable.

General information

Horton and Garton are members of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). Client money protection (CMP) is provided by ARLA.

Horton and Garton are members of the Property Ombudsman (TPO) redress scheme and subscribe to the Code of Practice for Lettings Agents.

Information and data will be obtained for the purpose of conducting checks to identify our customers and verify their identity, screening for financial and other sanctions or embargoes, other processing necessary to comply with professional, legal and regulatory obligations that apply to our business. Our privacy policy can be reviewed at https://www.hortonandgarton.co.uk/horton-garton-privacy-policy/