Useful Information

About the Tenancy Agreement

You will have signed your tenancy agreement for a term of six or twelve months.  This means that you are fixed into this tenancy for that term. If you want to bring the tenancy to an end before this time then you have to request from your landlord that you can be released early.  The landlord will agree to this as long as you cover his re letting costs and the rent payment up until the property is re let or to the end of your tenancy, whichever is the soonest.

Tenancy Reviews

We will contact you three to four months before the end of the tenancy and ask what your future tenancy wishes are.  If you want to continue with the tenancy then the tenancy may be extended from the end of the fixed term period onto a periodic tenancy.  This means that it may continue onto a two month rolling tenancy where you can give two months notice (this has to begin and end on a rent day) to bring the tenancy to an end. The landlord also has the right to give notice during a periodic tenancy.

Please note that all notices need to be in writing and delivered to our offices.  We cannot accept notice verbally. If you have any queries about your tenancy or how to give notice then please feel free to contact us.

When your tenancy has started.

We have tried to get some information together for you which is only a brief guide to help you with your tenancy.

Utilities

When you have started the tenancy and been given the keys and the information sheets we would recommend that you take the meter readings for all utilities at the property.  We will have taken the meter readings on behalf of the Landlord but it is your responsibility to have the utilities put into your name.  This will also ensure that you will not pay for anybody else’s usage.

Key Meters

If you have a key meter you will need to read the meter and notify the electricity company with the meter readings before they will issue you with a new key card.  If you have any queries regarding the key card system then the information telephone number is 0345 023 054.

Oil

If you have oil fired central heating we will take a reading of all oil visible at the start of the tenancy.  At the end of the tenancy we will ask for the same amount to be left in the tank. Any difference at the end of the tenancy will be charged or refunded at the current rate.

Rent Payments

A standing order form will have been given to you at the start of the tenancy.  This will ensure that payments will be made from your account on time into our system. It is worth noting that this is under your control and you will need to cancel this at the end of your term.  Payments can also be made by phone or in our office by debit card. Please note that if you wish to pay by cash or credit card there will be a 2.6% charge.

Council Tax

You will need to notify the local council authority that you have moved into the property and to register for Council Tax. It is now a legal obligation for you to do this.

Post

If you receive any post for either the landlord or previous tenants please drop it into our offices so that we can forward it on.

Boards

The let by sign which is outside the property will be removed as soon as possible.  Please do not remove it yourself and put ‘out the back’ as the board people won’t be able to find it. When you tell us that you are leaving the property we will arrange for a board to be erected at your property. If for any reason this falls over or is erected in an awkward position then please let us know.

PROBLEMS WITH DAMP, MOULD AND CONDENSATION

WHAT IS CONDENSATION?

There is always some moisture in the air.  If the air gets colder it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear.  This is condensation.  You notice it when you see your breath on a cold day, or when the mirror mists over when you have a bath.

Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather, whether it is raining or dry.  It does not leave a ‘tidemark’.  It appears on cold surfaces and in places where there is little movement of air.  Look for it in corners, on or near windows, in or behind wardrobes or cupboards.  It often forms on north-facing walls.

THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS WILL HELP REDUCE THE CONDENSATION IN YOUR HOME

Some ordinary daily activities produce a lot of moisture very quickly

Cover pans and do not leave kettles boiling

Avoid using paraffin and portable flueless bottled gas heaters as they put a lot of moisture into the air

Dry washing outdoors on the line, or put it into the bathroom with the door closed and the window open or the fan on

Vent any tumble dryer on the outside, unless it is a self-condensing type.  DIY kits are available for this

VENTILATE TO REMOVE MOISTURE

You can ventilate your home without making drafts. Some suggestions to help with this are

Keep a small window ajar or a trickle ventilator open when someone is in the room

Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening the window wide.  Better still, use a humidistat controlled electric fan.  These come on automatically when the air becomes humid and are cheap to run.

Close the kitchen and bathroom doors when these rooms are in use, even if your kitchen or bathroom has an extractor fan.  A door closer is advisable as it will help prevent the moisture reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation

Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes.  Avoid putting too many things in them as this stops the air circulating.  Wherever possible position wardrobes and furniture against internal walls rather than external.

In cold weather, keep low background heating on all day, even when there is no one at home.

DON’T

Don’t block permanent ventilators

Don’t completely block chimneys.  Instead leave a hole about two bricks in size and fit a louvered grille over it

Don’t draught-proof rooms where there is condensation or mould

Don’t draught-proof a room where there is a cooker or a fuel burning heater, for example a gas fire

Don’t draught-proof windows in the kitchen and bathroom

TREATING MOULD

Treat any mould you may already have in you home.  If you then deal with the basic problem of condensation, mould should not reappear

To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive approval number.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely.  Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets.