Tenant fees for Northern Ireland & Wales
What are tenancy fees?
Below is a description of the fees you may be charged when renting a property through a Reeds Rains branch. You will need to contact the branch about the actual tenant fees they charge as these may vary.
When you have decided to apply for a property to rent, Reeds Rains will provide you with a Tenancy Fee Declaration form. This form helps explain the next stages of your application and the fees due before you sign your Tenancy Agreement. It also explains any fees which may become payable during the tenancy, and confirms the agreed rent and the security deposit. For your information, in the majority of cases Reeds Rains will protect your security deposit with MyDeposits, a tenancy deposit protection scheme. This is subject to your landlord’s terms and conditions.
At any time you are interested in a property, just ask the branch staff about any fees which may be payable.
All fees are non-refundable, however, if the application passes the credit check and the landlord declines to proceed, a full refund will be made.
We are required by law to carry out a Right to Rent check on all occupiers over the age of 18, irrespective of whether they are a tenant or a permitted occupier. This is entirely separate from tenant referencing and there is no charge for this. Your local branch will advise you as part of the application process.
What is the tenancy set up fee?
The tenancy set up fee includes the cost of referencing — which will cover checking your credit status, previous employer, current or past landlords, and taking into account any other information to help us assess the affordability and suitability of your tenancy application. The fee also includes a contribution towards the cost of preparing a Tenancy Agreement.
When do I pay the tenancy set up fee?
After a viewing and when you have decided to apply for the property. We will provide you with a Tenancy Fee Declaration form which lists the services we provide and the fees that are payable. You will then be asked for your tenancy set up payment, which will be offset against the total amount payable on the day you sign the Tenancy Agreement and move into your new home. Should you need a guarantor there will be an additional fee payable for referencing which needs to be paid at the same time as the tenancy set-up fee.
Any additional fees that may be applicable to you will be collected on the day that you sign your Tenancy Agreement along with your rental and security deposit payment. Tenants are required to pay outstanding rent/deposit monies and sign their tenancy paperwork between Monday and Friday. Tenants wishing to do this on a Saturday will be required to pay an additional fee.
What other fees may be payable before I can move into the property of my choice?
Additional Person
This covers the cost of processing the application and associated paperwork for any additional applicants.
Guarantor
Depending on the outcome from your application from the referencing company, your earnings or overall financial position may require you to provide a guarantor. This is not uncommon, and means you have someone on your behalf that undergoes credit referencing – to ensure they have sufficient earnings to cover the overall rent commitments in the event that you, as the tenant, are unable to pay your rent. This fee is payable in respect of each guarantor to cover credit referencing costs and providing a Deed of Guarantee as part of the Tenancy Agreement, which details their obligations as a guarantor.
Permitted Occupier
This is a person approaching, or over the age of, 18 who will not be permanently residing at the rented property. This only applies in very specific situations and then only with the landlords consent. The costs include supplying the relevant documentation that explains in more detail what it means to be a permitted occupier and how this fits in with the tenancy of the property.
During the tenancy, we offer these additional services:
Amendment fee
This fee may be applicable if a change to the tenancy is required mid-term. This may be due to a change in personal circumstances and / or a request to leave the tenancy early is agreed prior to the end of the tenancy agreement (this is subject to landlord consent).
Renewal fee (tenant’s share)
This is a contribution towards preparing a new Tenancy Agreement and negotiating with your landlord for a further fixed term tenancy. Extending your tenancy, if agreed by your landlord, gives an assurance of staying in the property for a further fixed period, at an agreed rent and avoids the uncertainty of a landlord serving notice at any given time.
Check out fee (tenant’s share)
Most landlords ask Reeds Rains to employ external inventory companies to produce an inventory for their property before the property is let. Where this applies, you will be liable for a contribution towards the check out fee when the inventory company carries out their inspection at the end of the tenancy. The check out report forms an important part of how the return of your security deposit is arranged. Please feel free to ask our staff if you have any questions about this process.
Please note
If your application fails or is withdrawn, the cost is non-refundable. In the event that the landlord for any reason is unable to proceed your fees will be refunded in full.
All tenancies are offered subject to contract and satisfactory references Reeds Rains cannot be held liable for any costs should the tenancy not commence for any reason.
Pets
Please note that a higher deposit may be required where it is agreed pets can be included in the tenancy. The acceptance of any pets is subject to the landlord's consent and must be agreed prior to signing the Tenancy Agreement.