Information for Tenants

We are here to you find your ideal home to rent. We are proud of our reputation for providing high quality properties in key locations throughout Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

As full members of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) we follow a strict code of practice and ensure we are kept fully informed of current legislation.

Referencing Timescale:

Links to a referencing company will be sent to you upon the Landlord’s agreement of any offer and receipt of verified ID. You will then have 72 hours to complete this link and for Richard Jackson Property Consultants to be in receipt of satisfactory references. If the referencing is not completed with 72 hours, the Landlord reserves the right to remarket the property immediately.

Rent:

All rent is due by the first day of the tenancy. Subsequent rent payments are due on the date specified in your tenancy agreement. Rent is payable by standing order unless otherwise specified in the tenancy agreement. For shared properties, we request that the rent is submitted as one full payment from the allocated head tenant unless you have agreed with your lettings negotiator in advance that you will each pay your individual share.

Deposits

Richard Jackson Property Consultants are members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). The deposit is to cover damage to the property, outstanding rent, unpaid utilities, cleaning, and any breaches by the tenant of the tenancy agreement. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit will be returned to the tenant as soon as practicably possible, less any deductions agreed. If deductions cannot be agreed between parties, the case will be referred to the TDS for expert third party adjudication and the apportioning of deposit money.

Renewing your tenancy:

Approximately three months prior to the end of your tenancy we will contact you to ask if you would like to extend the tenancy. If you do, a renewal agreement will be negotiated and the agreement sent to you for signature and return as soon as possible. Payment must be received prior to the start of the renewal period. If you do not wish to renew your tenancy Richard Jackson Property Consultants will commence marketing, and the property must be made available for viewings.

Inventory:

The inventory will be given to the tenant within 48 hours of the commencement of the tenancy. Discrepancies should be noted and returned to us within 48 hours. If the inventory is not sent back within this time it will be deemed to be correct.

Utilities and services:

You are responsible for payment of gas and oil (where applicable), electricity, council tax, television licence, telephone, broadband internet access and any other subscription services such as SKY. Cable is not always available at a property and you must make your own enquiries in this respect. A satellite dish must not be erected at the property without the written permission of the landlord.

Property information:

Every effort has been made to ensure that you are given correct information about the property for which you are making an application. You must ask if there is any aspect of the property about which you are unsure. Guarantor: Guarantors will be required to sign the tenancy agreement and will be jointly and severally liable under the terms of the tenancy, including payment of rent and any breaches by the tenants of the tenancy agreement.

Tenant Fees Schedule

New assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) executed on or after 1 June 2019

Holding Deposit (per tenancy)

One week’s rent. This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s)) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and / or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).

Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent under £50,000 per year)

Five weeks’ rent.
This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent of £50,000 or over per year)

Six weeks’ rent.
This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.

Unpaid Rent

Interest at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.

Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s)

Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a charge of £15 per hour (inc. VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).

Variation of Contract (Tenant’s Request)

£50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

Change of Sharer (Tenant’s Request With Landlord Approval)

£50 (inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.

Early Termination (Tenant’s Request With Landlord Approval)

Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.