iConn offers all of our tenants a high standard of accommodation across a diverse property market from within the city centre to local rural areas. Our Property portfolio is constantly changing and updated on a regular basis, so that you are able to find the most suitable home that meets your personal needs and general requirements.

Moving house is a stressful time, that’s why our fully trained staff endeavours to ensure that the transition from your old home to your new home runs as smoothly as possible for you.

We are here to help you, so please feel free to search our property list and if you see a property that you think may suit you; please contact us to arrange a viewing.

Tenant Information

It is essential that before you apply for a property/tenancy and you become a tenant of a property, you read the following notes, which are designed to help you understand the formalities of an application and details your obligations before you provide us with the required information.

The Holding Deposit

You have to pay half a month's rent as a holding fee to reserve the property for you whilst we take up references. This is non-refundable should you change your mind as the Landlord has, in good faith, taken the property off the market. If however the references are not satisfactory, the holding fee would be returned to you minus the referencing fee of £55+VAT (£63.25). If the Landlord is unable to proceed, the holding fee would be returned to you in full. If your tenancy does proceed, the holding fee will contribute towards the full deposit you have to pay before the tenancy starts.

The Deposit

The standard amount for a property deposit is equivalent to one and a half times the monthly rent payable. In some circumstances the landlord will vary the amount of deposit requested. You may be asked to pay an additional deposit retainer if you have pets, as all carpets must be fumigated and cleaned at the end of the tenancy. This will be confirmed to you before application.

The Deposit is to be held by us as stakeholders and protected under the Tenants Deposit Scheme, for the duration of the tenancy against loss or damage etc. This is refundable at the end of the tenancy as per the Tenancy Agreement.

Please note: Any interest earned from the deposit is retained by iConn Ltd.

References

You will be asked to complete a Property Risks referencing form. Information required will include current employment status, bank details, current landlord (if you have one) and possibly a personal referee. For self–employed applicants, a reference from a solicitor or an accountant and a current address credit check will be required. Please note all applicants must be 18 years old and over.

Administration Fee

There is a charge of £145+VAT (£174.00) per tenancy for the administration involved, which also includes your share of the tenancy agreement costs and one reference.

There is also a charge of £20.00 + VAT (£24.00) per tenancy for the TDS Deposit Protection.

If you are jointly renting a property then additional references will be charged at £55+VAT (£66.00) per person per reference. If a guarantor is required, an additional charge of £55.00+VAT (£66.00) per person per reference is payable.

Your guarantor will need to sign a Deed of Guarantee and so additional time may be required to organise this. They will also need to provide photo identification and supply us with a current utility bill. Your guarantor will need to supply this information in order for a full check of their financial status to be undertaken; so please ensure they are happy to do this. They will also need to give their bank details as part of the referencing agencies requirements.

Please Note: You will not be charged any additional administration fees other than those which have been indicated in this document, during or at the end of your tenancy.

The Account

Once the Landlord has approved your references and the details of your tenancy has been confirmed, we will issue you a copy of your Tenancy Agreement to read in advance, together with an invoice and standing order. This account must be paid by cash, bankers draft, credit or debit card (charges apply), unless there is sufficient time for a cheque to clear (x7 working days). Please note: if you wish to pay the balance of the account on the tenancy start date, it must be paid in cash or by debit card only due to ensuring funds are instantly cleared on the same day.

The funds are made up as follows:

1. The balance of the deposit
2. The first months’ rent in advance
3. Your administration fee

The paperwork required is made up as follows:

1. Completed standing order form
2. Completed next of kin form
3. Signed Tenancy Agreement
4. Photocopy of photo ID

Please ensure that all tenants’ names have been spelt correctly in the agreement and that you understand all the terms within. All tenants will be required to sign the tenancy agreement (and all guarantors must sign their deed of guarantee, where applicable) before or on the tenancy start date.

Credit card payments

Please note that should you wish to pay by card, the following charges apply: debit card 1, credit card 2% or an international card incurs a 2.5% charge.

Rent

Your first month’s rent in advance will be transferred on your behalf to your Landlord direct; thereafter a standing order will be set up for all subsequent rent payments. It is your responsibility to ensure that you cancel the standing order at the expiration of the tenancy.

Insurance

Tenants’ possessions are not covered under the landlord’s insurance policies and so we would recommend that you arrange your own suitable insurance policy. There are policies available that cover you for accidental damage to your landlords’ possessions which provide additional cover and protection of your deposit. There is no requirement to have your own policy in place but we would highly recommend it.

Public Services & Utilities

If iConn undertakes your inventory, we will notify the relevant utility companies of your details and take the meter readings on the day your tenancy starts. If your Landlord undertakes your inventory, either they will notify the companies on your behalf in the same way or they will provide you with the details of who to call to complete this process yourself. You are responsible for any expenses involved and all accounts opened when using any utility or service i.e. Council Tax, gas, telephone, broadband, electricity, water and TV licence etc.

Inventory & Schedule of Condition

If iConn undertakes the check in process, an inventory and schedule of condition report is used to record the properties condition and any items within at the start of your tenancy. All items and their condition within the property, which include the fixtures and fittings are checked and agreed by you and the Agent. Once you have completed the process and made any agreed amendments if necessary, you will be asked to sign the document and a copy of the Inventory will then be posted to you along with a CD of photos.

Welcome Pack

We provide you with important information that you should keep safe during your tenancy. The pack will include a welcome letter which includes contact details of who to contact regarding maintenance issues and rent once you have taken up occupation and details of an emergency contact should you have any maintenance issues out of office hours. You have a responsibility to report maintenance problems to iConn or your Landlord immediately. The pack also includes a gas certificate, a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), rubbish collection dates and a Tenancy Deposit Certificate.

Tenancy Agreement

Once your tenancy has been completed and you have been checked into the property on the commencement date, a copy of your tenancy agreement will be posted to you.

Parking Permits

Please note that we cannot accept any responsibility for issuing parking permits or for any fines that may be incurred if you park your vehicle in a restricted area. Permits are issued by the appropriate management company (if applicable) of the property or the local council.

Property Inspections.

If iConn manages the property, your Landlord will have instructed us to carry out periodic property inspections every three months for a professional property or every two months if it is a student property. These inspections are to ensure that the property is being looked after and maintained by yourselves in a reasonable manner and for any maintenance repairs that may be required as part of your Landlords obligations. We will write to you in advance notifying you of any inspections that may be due, giving you the opportunity to be present whilst the inspection is being carried out.