Background Image

Tenant & Landlord FAQ

Tenants

Background Image
HOW MUCH IS THE DEPOSIT AND WHAT OTHER FEES WILL I HAVE TO PAY?
See Tenant Fees
HOW QUICKLY CAN I MOVE IN?
This will depend on how quick we receive your references and the property availability date. 
Background Image
WHAT REFERENCES WILL I NEED?
The references will be carried out by an independent party, who will undertake a credit check, an employment/accountant reference, current landlord reference (if applicable), proof of residency (e.g bank statement/utility bill) and photo ID. 
Background Image
HOW DO I KNOW I WILL PASS THE REFERENCING PROCESS?
To pass the references you will need to have a clear credit, have a good landlord reference and be in receipt of an annual household income of 30x the monthly rent. 
Background Image
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL MY REFERENCING?
There are alternative ways of qualifying; either proceed with a guarantor or pay 6 months of rent in advance. 
WHO CAN BE MY GUARANTOR?
The guarantor will have to be from the UK and must be able to pass the referencing criteria as set out above. The guarantor will also be legally bound to all terms in the tenancy agreement and need to have signed the agreement. 
Background Image
HOW DO I PAY MY RENT?
The rent should be paid by standing order and must be received in advance by the rent due date. 
Background Image
WHAT DOES MY RENT INCLUDE?
The rent includes maintenance costs for the flat and the building, but as a tenant you will be responsible for the council tax and all utilities unless or else advised.
Background Image
HOW DO I END MY TENANCY?
You must provide two months notice to your landlord as per the terms of your tenancy agreement. 
Background Image
MY TENANCY IS COMING TO AN END, HOW DO I EXTEND?
City Living London will contact you 2 months before your tenancy is due to end to discuss renewing your contract and sending out a new agreement.
Background Image
MY TENANCY HAS ENDED, WHEN DO I GET MY DEPOSIT BACK?
We aim to have the deposit returned within 10 days of the check out, however this is subject to the condition the property is left in and deductions that required from the deposit (i.e for cleaning/maintenance)
Background Image
HOW DO I END MY LEASE EARLY?
Your tenancy agreement will state how long your tenancy is for. During this time neither you nor the landlord can end the tenancy unless there have been breach to the terms in the contract. However if there is a break clause in place then you will be able to break your tenancy early subject to the terms of the break clause.

Landlords

Background Image
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME TO LET MY PROPERTY?
This will depend of the service you are looking for. At City Living London, we offer we offer three service stages: Let only service, rent collection service and full management service. Each package involves a different grade of service from City Living London and the fees we charge will reflect this. 
WHY SHOULD I USE A FULL MANAGEMENT SERVICE?
The fully managed service allows you to sit back and not have to worry about maintaining your rental property. Choosing the fully management service at City Living London will create a professional distance between you and the tenancy, which means all bad parts of a tenancy like rent arrears and deposit disputes will be dealt by the team.
Background Image
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY TENANT’S DEPOSIT?
A landlord or the managing agent is required to register the tenants deposit with an approved tenant deposit protection scheme. Here at City Living London, we lodge all our deposits with the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS). The Deposit Protection Scheme is there to protect the tenant’s money and help to resolve any disputes at the end of the tenancy.
Background Image
WHY SHOULD I HAVE AN INVENTORY?
An inventory is a complete list of the items left and the condition of your property before the tenants move in. If there was to be a dispute over damage at the end of the tenancy, the document acts as a proof of the original condition of the flat before the tenants moved in, therefore it is vital to have an inventory done.
Background Image
WHY DO I NEED AN EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a detailed energy efficiency report of a property. The property will be rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and the report will be valid for 10 years. All landlords must purchase an EPC for their rental property.
Background Image
WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS SURROUNDING GAS?
If a property has gas supply then a Gas Safety needs to be taken place to ensure that all gas appliances, pipes and flues are in a safe working order. This must be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe Register engineer and the certificate will be valid for 12 months.
Background Image
WILL MY AGENT KEEP MY MONEY SAFE?
As members of ARLA and The Property Ombudsman, you can be stress-free to know that City Living London is a regulated agent; therefore your money will be protected through the Protection Bonding Scheme.
Background Image
HOW DO I RECEIVE MY RENTAL INCOME FROM MY LETTING AGENT?
If you choose a Part Managed or Fully Managed service, we will collect the rent from the tenants and transfer the money to your account minus our commission and any outgoing fees (e.g maintenance fees). You will receive a statement every month.
Background Image
WHAT IF THE TENANT DAMAGES THE PROPERTY?
If the tenant damages the property they will be liable to fix the damage or pay for the cost for fixing the damage. This can be deducted from the tenant’s security deposit at the end of the tenancy. Fair wear and tear is not included as damage to the property.
Background Image
WHAT IF THE TENANT DOESN’T PAY?
Landlords are recommended to insure themselves against non-payment of rent. Please speak to the sales and lettings team at City Living London who can advise you on how you can take out a rent protection insurance.
WHAT IS ARLA?
ARLA stands for The Association of Residential Lettings Agents and is the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. ARLA is committed to protecting customers by improving lettings standards and professionalism. City Living London is a member of ARLA and regulate by the current best management practice and law.