Tenants
Are you thinking of renting? Dixsons are here to help you through this sometimes challenging process. We will offer you friendly advice and assist you in securing your new home!
Viewing a Property
To view any of our properties, please give us a call. We will assess your situation to ensure you’re an appropriate candidate for the property.
Securing a Property
Once you have viewed a property you wish to let, we ask you to complete an application form and pay a ‘Holding Deposit’ equivalent of one week’s rent, and the ‘Deadline for Agreement’ will be confirmed.
Will will ask you to provide us with the following information:
- Photo I.D. – passport or driving licence
- Proof of Current address – Driving licence/utility bill (dated within last 3 month’s) or recent bank statement.
We will process your application via ‘an independent Referencing Agency’ who will obtain employment and landlord references, credit checks, bank searches and process the ‘Right to Rent’ check. Dixson’s Estates will remove the property from the market once the holding deposit has been paid and all parties are in agreement.
Deadline for Agreement
This is the date you enter your tenancy agreement and is usually on the 15th day after receiving your holding deposit. However you may agree a different ‘Deadline for Agreement’ with the landlord in writing (via Dixson’s) which could be more or less than 14 days.
Please note: the holding deposit is non-refundable should you:
- Provide false or misleading information resulting in a failed credit check and are unable to rectify this within the ‘Deadline for Agreement’ date
- Fail a ‘Right to Rent’ check
- Withdraw from the property
We recommend that you disclose any CCJ’s or adverse credit history prior to completing your form. A guarantor can be used if necessary. They must be earning 3 times the annual rent to qualify.
Entering a Rent Agreement
Once your references have been accepted, you will be asked to sign your tenancy agreement on line with the referencing agency and be expected to pay your security deposit and 1st month’s rent (less the holding fee) to Dixsons. These must be cleared funds, within a reasonable time before your actual completion day.
We will then meet you at the property to see you in and provide you with a hard copy of the inventory, your deposit certificate and your keys! Meters will be read and you are expected to notify all utility companies, including council tax, that you are the new tenant and bill payer, from that day. The same applies on the day you vacate.
Dixson’s have Client’s Money Protection insurance (CMP) and all deposits are registered with ‘mydeposits.co.uk’
The Property Ombudsman
Because we are a registered with The Property Ombudsman for Lettings we have to follow their strict Code of Practice. This sets out the framework within which we must operate and the standards of service we must provide for both tenants and landlords. The Code is compulsory and is rigorously applied by The Property Ombudsman in their complaints handling. We are required and have agreed to have Professional Indemnity insurance to ensure that any compensation awarded to you can be paid. We are also required and have agreed to have an in-house complaints system with written procedures which inform you how to refer any unresolved dispute to the Ombudsman. We will then co-operate with any investigation and agree to pay compensation, in full and final settlement of a complaint, if this is awarded by the Ombudsman and is accepted by you as the complainant. This award must be paid promptly to a maximum of £25,000. If we repeatedly fail to follow the rules of the scheme, we can be reprimanded, fined or expelled from The Property Ombudsman.
