Tenant’s Guide

The first step in renting a property is finding one that suits your needs, budget and preferred location. DLD Estates markets properties through major property portals and our own website. You can browse available properties and arrange viewings with our team. When searching for a property, it is useful to consider:

• Your monthly rental budget
• Location and transport links
• Local amenities such as schools, shops and parks
• Property size and number of bedrooms
• Parking availability
• Furnished or unfurnished options

Once you have found a property that interests you, you can contact us to arrange a viewing.

Viewings allow you to see the property in person and decide whether it is the right home for you. During the viewing you may wish to consider:

• The general condition of the property
• Storage space and layout
• Heating and energy efficiency
• Local noise levels and surroundings
• Parking arrangements

Our team will be happy to answer any questions you have about the property or the tenancy. If you decide the property is suitable, the next step is to submit an offer to rent.

Once you have found the property you wish to rent, you can submit an offer through our office. This will normally include:

• Proposed move-in date
• Length of tenancy (usually 12 months initially)
• Details of all tenants who will occupy the property

If the landlord accepts your offer, a holding deposit equivalent to one week's rent will normally be required to reserve the property while referencing is completed.

Fees-and-Services

The holding deposit may be retained if the applicant withdraws, fails the referencing process, provides misleading information, or fails to sign the tenancy agreement within the agreed timeframe.

Before a tenancy can proceed, all tenants must complete a referencing process.

This typically includes:

• Employment or income verification
• Previous landlord references
• Credit checks
• Identity verification
• Right to Rent checks as required by UK law

These checks help ensure the tenancy is suitable for both the tenant and landlord.

If referencing is successful, the tenancy agreement can then be prepared.

Most residential tenancies in England are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST).

Before moving in, tenants will normally be required to pay:

• The first month's rent in advance
• A security deposit equivalent to five weeks’ rent
• Fees-and-Services

The deposit will be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme.

You will also receive key documentation including:

• The tenancy agreement
• Deposit protection information
• Gas Safety Certificate (where applicable)
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• The Government's How to Rent guide

Once these steps are completed, the property will be ready for move-in.

When you move into your new home you will normally receive:

• An inventory and schedule of condition
• Keys for the property
• Details of how to report maintenance issues
• It is important to review the inventory carefully and notify the agent of any discrepancies.

You should also:

• Take meter readings for gas, electricity and water
• Set up accounts with utility providers
• Arrange broadband and television services if required
• Inform your local council for council tax purposes

As a tenant you are responsible for looking after the property and paying rent on time.

Typical tenant responsibilities include:

• Paying rent in accordance with the tenancy agreement
• Keeping the property clean and well maintained
• Reporting maintenance issues promptly
• Replacing items such as light bulbs and batteries in smoke alarms
• Not causing damage to the property

If a repair or issue arises, you should contact our team as soon as possible so it can be addressed quickly.

From time to time repairs may be required during a tenancy.

If something in your property needs attention, please contact our office and provide as much detail as possible about the issue.

In the event of an emergency repair, please contact us immediately so that urgent action can be taken.

Further information about reporting repairs can be found on our Maintenance & Repairs page.

If you wish to leave the property at the end of your tenancy, you will need to provide notice in accordance with the terms of your tenancy agreement.

At the end of the tenancy:

• The property will be inspected
• The inventory will be checked against the property's condition
• Any agreed deductions will be made from the deposit if necessary
• The remaining deposit will be returned

Providing the property is returned in good condition and all rent has been paid, the deposit will be released through the deposit protection scheme.