We let and manage unfurnished flats and houses throughout Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane. Please view our properties to let, although our stock changes daily and you should contact us for current availability or to register your requirements. Please note that for your safety and peace of mind -
- All of our managed properties are Gas Safe gas safety certificated, and inspected for electrical safety, and furniture fire safety.
- All deposits are held and protected by The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of The DPS.
If you would like to rent a property marketed by us, we will endeavour to make the moving process as straight forward and trouble free as possible. Once you have applied to rent a property, we would normally expect to be able to complete the pre-tenancy formalities with 7-10 days.
Letting Fees Information
Andrew lees lettings Limited is a member of the Property Ombudsman Redress Scheme Membership Number L686-0
Andrew lees lettings Limited is part of the MoneyShield Client Money Protection Scheme. Membership Number.57442510
In accordance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019 the following schedule of fees applies from 1st 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 (including VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).
Variation of Contract (Tenant's Request) £50 (including 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) £50 (including 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) 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.
References
When you have found a property which you would like to rent, we ask you to complete an application form. This asks for various details including your employer, your bank and current landlord (if applicable). When the application form is returned to us we ask you for photo identification and copies of utility bills from your current residence. If your application is dependent upon changes being made to the property, these must be specified on the cover page of the application form where indicated. If you are unable to visit the office the application form can be posted and we are able to take payment by card over the telephone.
Upon receipt of your application form(s), we will advise our landlord of your interest in their property and forward a copy of your application form to them. You will receive written acknowledgment of your application and a ‘Heads of Terms’ document which details the terms of the agreement. You will also receive an information pack containing a specimen tenancy agreement and other useful information.
We will apply for references from your employer and collect information concerning your credit history through a credit agency. They will also check to see that you are registered at your current address. If you do not meet the minimum referencing criteria, you may be asked to supply a guarantor. This should be someone who is a home owner, in full time employment, and earning enough to guarantee your rental payments.
Sadly, on occasions there are some references or credit checks which are not acceptable. In these cases it is unlikely that our client will wish to proceed with the application. All applicants must be 18 years old or over.
The Tenancy Agreement
Whilst references are being sought we request you read the draft agreement, so that you are aware of terms and conditions that will apply when you occupy the property. If you have any questions, we will be happy to help. Please note that we will be unable to examine the tenancy agreement with you in detail. You should seek impartial advice from a solicitor on any matters which are not clear.
The Next Stage
When your references have been received and approved, we discuss with you a date for the tenancy to commence. If you are unable to visit in person, we can send the tenancy agreement by post. The document will require your signature together with a witness signature; a member of Andrew Lees Lettings staff can act as a witness for visitors to the office. If you have a guarantor we will require the documents to be signed first by them, then by yourself. You should seek legal advice if you are unsure about entering into a legal agreement.
If the tenancy is a joint agreement, we will require the signature of both parties before we will be able to proceed further. When all references have been received you will be invited to visit the office when we will require the following:
- Tenancy agreement to be signed by all parties
- Completed bank standing order mandate (only one per property is required.)
- Cleared funds will be required to cover the first month’s rent and the deposit. Exact monies are required, as we are not always able to offer change. Banker’s drafts are acceptable but we are unable to accept personal cheques unless there is time to clear the cheque prior to the start of the tenancy (currently 10 working days).
- If there are significant delays between the date of your references being received and the start of the tenancy you may be asked to sign the agreement and return it to us with part payment of the first month’s rent, normally 50% of one month’s rent. Upon receipt we will exchange your contract, with a contract signed by the landlord. This procedure of exchanging contracts, together with the payment of consideration, (50% of one month’s rent), makes the contract legally binding on both parties.
Please contact us for more details.
