When searching for your ideal home, registering on our rental database ensures you are one of the first to hear about our newly available properties. Simply share your preferences, including your criteria and budget, and we will notify you as soon as a suitable property becomes available. To avoid missing out, please make sure you are easily contactable after registering, as in demand properties can be secured very quickly.
When registering your interest, you’ll likely have already identified some key preferences, such as the number of bedrooms, your preferred location, and your budget. Building on this, we recommend creating a more detailed list of what you’d like in your new home.
It’s important to distinguish between essential features and those that are simply desirable, as well as to identify any potential dealbreakers. You should also factor in additional costs beyond rent, including council tax, utility bills, moving expenses, and any regular commuting costs associated with your new location.
Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in, we will confirm the details of the proposed tenancy. You will then be asked to pay a holding deposit of £150, which can be made by credit/debit card or bank transfer.
This payment will be put towards your first month’s rent and allows us to reserve the property while we carry out referencing. The holding deposit will be refunded or retained in line with the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019, depending on the outcome of the application and whether all parties proceed within the agreed timeframe.
Once you’re holding deposit has been paid, we will carry out reference checks to verify your identity, employment, income, and credit history. This helps ensure the tenancy is suitable for both you and the landlord.
You should declare any unsatisfied CCJs or bankruptcies as part of your application. You will also be asked to provide photographic identification, proof of your current address, and evidence of your income.
All information provided will be assessed as part of the referencing process to determine your suitability for the tenancy.
Your personal data will be processed in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. It will be used solely for the purposes of assessing your application and progressing the tenancy, and may be shared with relevant third parties such as referencing agencies where necessary.
Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be required to provide a guarantor. A guarantor should typically have a good credit history, be in stable full-time employment, and be based in the UK.
They will be subject to the same referencing process to confirm they are suitable to act in this role. It is important that your guarantor fully understands their responsibilities, as they will be required to sign the occupational contract. This contract will include a commitment to cover the rent in full should you fail to meet your rental payment obligations for any reason.
The occupation contract sets out your rights and responsibilities as a contract-holder, along with the obligations and expectations of your landlord, and the terms agreed by all parties. This document will include the key terms of the agreement, including those required by law, as well as any additional terms and rules relating to the property.
We will provide you with a copy of the draft occupation contract for you to review in your own time before signing. Please ensure you fully understand what is required of you and that you are able to comply with the terms. If there is anything you are unsure about or would like further clarification, we will be happy to go through the document with you and answer any questions you may have.
A written statement of the occupation contract will be provided to you within 14 days of the occupation date, in accordance with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Before moving in, you will be required to provide a security deposit. This is held to cover any losses incurred by the landlord as a result of a breach of the occupation contract.
The security deposit is typically calculated as the equivalent of one month’s rent plus £100; however, this will not exceed the legal maximum of five weeks’ rent in accordance with current legislation.
By law, your deposit must be protected in an authorised tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of the occupation date. We will arrange for the protection of your deposit and provide you with the relevant prescribed information for your records.
At the start of the occupation contract, we will provide you with an inventory for the property. This document will record the condition of the property and its contents. You will be asked to review the inventory, confirm that it is accurate, and raise any queries or amendments with us.
At the end of the occupation contract, the inventory will be used to assess the condition of the property. This will be compared against its condition at the start of the contract, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Following this assessment, your deposit will be returned to you, subject to any agreed deductions for damage, cleaning, or breaches of the occupation contract. Any proposed deductions will be discussed with you. If an agreement cannot be reached, the matter can be referred to the relevant tenancy deposit scheme for independent dispute resolution while the deposit remains protected.
The end of your occupation contract will depend on the terms agreed within your contract. If your contract is for a fixed term, the end date will be specified from the outset. If your contract becomes periodic (sometimes referred to as a rolling contract), a notice period will apply.
If you wish to end a periodic occupation contract, you will be required to provide a minimum of four weeks’ notice in writing. If the landlord wishes to regain possession of the property, they must provide notice in accordance with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which is typically a minimum of six months, unless specific circumstances apply. Full details of notice requirements will be set out in your occupation contract.
Once notice has been served, or as your contract approaches its end date, the property may be marketed to prospective new contract-holders. This may involve arranging viewings, and we ask that you keep the property in a presentable condition. We will always provide reasonable notice and liaise with you to arrange convenient access.
At the end of your occupation contract, a check-out inspection will be carried out, during which the inventory will be reviewed and compared to the condition at the start of the contract, allowing for fair wear and tear. You will be asked to return all keys at this point.
Following the check-out process, we will contact you to arrange the return of your deposit, usually within 10 days of agreement being reached. Any proposed deductions will be discussed with you. If an agreement cannot be reached, the matter can be referred to the relevant authorised tenancy deposit scheme for independent dispute resolution.
This guide is designed to help you understand the rental process and your responsibilities as a contract-holder in Wales. If you have any questions at any stage, we are happy to assist and provide further clarification.
