How do I apply?

TO RESERVE A PROPERTY, ONE APPLICANT ONLY MUST EMAIL WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

  1. Property address that you would like to reserve
  2. Lead Tenant's full name and mobile number
  3. Full names of all tenants, email addresses and mobile numbers
  4. Call 0116 2706000 to make payment of the Holding Deposit (payment to be made via UK debit card ONLY)

 

YOU MUST ENSURE EACH TENANT CAN PROVIDE THEIR OWN 'GUARANTOR':

Guarantors must be in full-time employment and a UK homeowner

(if any guarantors are retired/tenants OR if any tenants are International Students, please email us to discuss further, before reserving the property)

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PAYMENT OF THE HOLDING DEPOSIT?

  1. All applicants will receive the 'Reservation Receipt' to sign electronically from ADOBE SIGN. This confirms that the property has been reserved and must be signed by all applicants within 24 hours

  2. All applicants will be emailed a 'Student Application' Form from ADOBE SIGN. This must be completed and the following documents must be emailed back to us within 24 hours:

    • Photographic ID (UK Driver's Licence/Passport)

    • Student ID / Student Confirmation Letter

    • Right to Rent documentation (if required)

  3. The 'Tenancy Agreement' will be emailed to all tenants to sign electronically via ADOBE SIGN. This must be signed by all applicants within 48 hours

  4. Payment of the balance of rental will be due at this time

  5. In addition to the 'Tenancy Agreement', a 'Guarantor Agreement' will be emailed to each tenant to forward to their respective guarantor. This must be completed and emailed to us within 1 week

FAQ's

WHAT IS THE LEAD TENANT'S ROLE?

The following is a non-exhaustive list of the Lead Tenant's duties and responsibilities:

  • Acting on behalf of all tenants regarding all aspects of the tenancy, including payments;
  • Acting on behalf of all tenants and any third party when dealing with the deposit;
  • Acting on behalf of all tenants when dealing with any utilities associated with the property.

WHAT IS THE HOLDING DEPOSIT?

Payment of the Holding Deposit ensures that the Property has been reserved and will not be offered to any other applicant(s) by First 4 Lettings, awaiting the completion and receipt of all paperwork and documents as per the 'Reservation Receipt'.

 

The 'Holding Deposit' will be applied towards the first payment of rental.

 

The Holding Deposit and any other amounts paid will be forfeited as liquidated damages under any of the following non-exhaustive circumstances. If you:

  1. withdraw or otherwise fail to take up the tenancy;
  2. provide false or misleading information (at any stage before reserving the property or thereafter);
  3. fail any affordability, referencing, and/or credit checks;
  4. are unable to provide a suitable guarantor who meets our requirements (when required);
  5. do not satisfy any of the conditions as outlined

 

Should any of the tenants fail to return their completed paperwork or sign the 'Reservation Receipt' within the allocated time, the Holding Deposit will be forfeited and the property will be re-marketed.

 

All properties are let on an 'as seen basis' and any changes/clarification to the specification, furnishings, decorative condition and/or cleanliness of the property must be agreed upon at the time of reservation by email.

 

It is your responsibility to enquire as to what the exact furnishings are when you reserve the property, as some items you see at the property at the time of viewing may not be included when you move in.

WHAT IS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT?

A security deposit is paid to cover any breakages, damage or other tenant liabilities but not to cover rent. This is usually equal to £250.00 per tenant and is due on or before 31/05. At the end of the tenancy, a property inspection is carried out to assess any damages/deductions due.


Where First 4 Lettings are managing the property, the deposit will be protected with 'The Deposit Protection Service' under their custodial scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at www.depositprotection.com.


Where First 4 Lettings are not managing the property, the deposit will be due directly to the Landlord and the Landlord will be advised of their duties and obligations with regards to the deposit.

WHAT IS THE DISCOUNTED RENTAL PERIOD?

The discounted rental period is half of the monthly rental, on the condition that the tenants shall not reside at the property during this period (usually July and August), this includes any of the tenant's possessions and/or belongings.

HOW IS RENT PAID?

On a standard 12-month tenancy (01 July – 30 June) and where First 4 Lettings are managing the property, 'RENTAL PAYMENTS' are due as follows:

DUE DATEPERIOD
Signing of Tenancy AgreementJuly & August
31/05
September
30/09October, November, December & January
31/01February, March & April
30/04May & June

RENTAL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE BY TRANSFER TO OUR ACCOUNT, UNLESS OTHERWISE ADVISED

RENTAL PAYMENTS MUST BE PAID IN FULL FROM ONE ACCOUNT ONLY

RENT (per room) IS CALCULATED ON A CALENDAR MONTH BASIS, BY MULTIPLYING THE WEEKLY RENT BY 52 AND DIVIDING BY 12 (this is usually rounded up to the nearest £5).

WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM THE GUARANTOR & THEIR ROLE?

In the event of a tenant being unable to meet their obligations under the tenancy agreement, the guarantor is legally bound to accept the liabilities on behalf of the tenant.

A guarantor must:

  • be a UK homeowner;

  • be in full-time employment;

  • not fail any affordability checks;

  • not have any County Court Judgements, bad credit history or debts against their name

 

Each guarantor will be required complete and sign a 'Guarantor Agreement' which must be emailed to us with a copy of their Photographic ID (UK Driver's Licence/Passport).


If suitable guarantors are not provided you may be required to pay the full rental for your tenancy in advance or use an independent rent guarantor service (e.g. Housing Hand).

WHAT IS A TENANCY AGREEMENT?

The tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant specifying the terms and conditions of their rental agreement. Standard tenancy agreements are for 12 months from 1st July – 30th June (the following year).

 

The tenant's liabilities will be 'joint and several'. The key point to note here is that all tenants are jointly responsible for all aspects of the agreement. For example, should any one of the group defaults on any aspect of the agreement (i.e. rental payment), we have the right to pursue others within the group for the payment of that share.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MOVE IN?

MANAGED BY FIRST 4 LETTINGS:

The Lead Tenant will be responsible for arranging an appointment with the date and time (during our office hours) to collect the keys.

Failure to make an appointment to collect keys and/or failure to bring the relevant ID documents may result in keys NOT BEING ISSUED.

The tenant will be issued with all keys and emailed the 'Property Inventory/Schedule of Condition*', provided all conditions with regards to the reservation have been fulfilled.

*The 'Property Inventory/Schedule of Condition' is a full and detailed report of the furniture, contents and state of repair of the property.

Although we will register the tenants for utilities and council tax, it is the tenant's responsibility to ensure all relevant utilities and the council tax have the correct meter readings and details respectively.

 

NOT MANAGED BY FIRST 4 LETTINGS:

Tenants will have to contact their Landlord directly for key collection unless otherwise advised.

The 'Landlord's Contact Details' along with 'Ongoing Rental Payment Details' will be emailed to all tenants prior to the tenancy commencement date.

Property Valuations

Are you interested in finding out what rental price your property could achieve? If so, then please contact us to get a FREE valuation. You have nothing to lose whilst getting our expert advice.

Landlord Yield Calculator

Look at our FREE RENTAL yield calculator to see if your property is a good investment. Contact us to see what we can do to make your investment more profitable.

Students

We have a large selection of student properties located near both UOL and DMU. With a budget to suit all students, First 4 Lettings is the one stop shop for all looking to secure student accommodation in Leicester.

Maintenance

Tenants can have the peace of mind that all our managed properties are fully maintained by our 24/7 maintenance department. All issues are dealt with in a swift and prompt manner to ensure your stay in the property is as enjoyable as possible.

Featured Properties

Fees

PERMITTED PAYMENTS

As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

1) Holding Deposit: Up to one week’s rental

2) Deposit: One month’s rental (5 weeks rental dependent on individual’s circumstances)

3) Payments for utilities (gas, electricity & water), communication services (telephone & broadband), Installation/Subscription of cable/satellite, TV licence and council tax

4) Default Fee (late payment of rent): If full Rent is not paid within 14 days or more of the Rent Due Date there will be a charge 3% plus the Bank of England base interest rate of the full rental amount until full payment is received

5) Default Fee (breach of tenancy agreement, any other permitted payments, under relevant legislation including contractual damages): For any breach of the tenancy agreement based on the reasonably incurred costs of the agent or landlord

6) Replacement of keys, fobs or other security devices

7) Default Fee (changes to the tenancy): An administrative charge of £50.00 or greater for any assignment, variation or novation of the tenancy agreement made at the tenant’s request (only if agreed by The Landlord and/or The Landlord’s Agent)

8) Payments in respect of early termination of a tenancy agreement at the tenant’s request


TENANT PROTECTION

First 4 Lettings is a member of Client Money Protect which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of PRS (Property Redress Scheme), which is a redress scheme.