Information for Tenants

We let and manage furnished and unfurnished flats and houses throughout West Wales. If you are looking to rent in Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Aberaeron, Lampeter or anywhere in West Wales, please click on 'Properties' above to view a list of our current properties to rent. Our stock changes daily and you should contact us for current availability.

Guide for Tenants

Finding a property to rent in West Wales
The first step is to contact us to provide brief details about yourself and about the accommodation you require. We then search our database for suitable properties for you to view. If not urgent, we log your details so that we can contact you if a suitable property becomes available. It is wise to start looking about a month before you wish to move, as the nicer properties are viewed and reserved quickly.  Contracts are granted for a minimum term of 6 months.

Viewings
Viewings will be arranged at times to suit you, including evenings and weekends, and you will invariably be accompanied by a member of staff, who can give advice and answer any questions you may have.

Reserving the property
Once you have decided on a property, you will need to reserve it by paying a 'Property Holding Payment', equivalent to one weeks rent. Assuming that the tenancy goes ahead, this will be deducted from the monies due before you move in. If the landlord declines to grant the tenancy, it will be refunded. However the payment will be forfeited if you decide not to proceed for any reason, or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application. The initial tenancy period will be for a 6 month standard occupation contract.

References
As a minimum we will require satisfactory references from your employer (or college), and a previous or current landlord. We may also require a personal reference, and a guarantor. In addition a credit check will be undertaken. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references.

Rents
Rents are normally quoted calendar monthly, and payable monthly in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs. All rents are payable by bank standing order to our company bank account.

Deposit
A tenancy deposit (or 'bond') is required prior to occupation. This is equal to one month's rent. Where we are managing the property, this deposit will be either; a) held by us and covered by insurance, or b) forwarded to the government authorised custodial body. We will inform you in writing of which scheme is used.

Tenant Costs

A tenancy will incur the following costs:

• First months rent in advance
• A bond equivalent to a months rent held by the Deposit Protection Service for the duration of the tenancy.
• Holding deposit - Maximum 1 weeks rent
• Default fee for late payment of rent - You will have to pay interest on the arrears amount 8 days after the date that it should have been paid.  The interest rate is 3% above the base rate used by the Bank of England.
• Missed contractor appointment £50
• Additional keys cut Cost of work required
• Changing locks at property if the keys are not returned at the end of a contract  £120

At the end of the contract the deposit will be repaid to the tenant within 10 days of the check out, provided that there are no disputes.  If agreement cannot be reached the matter will be decided by the Deposit Protection Service for any amount equal or lower than the deposit amount, for sums larger than the deposit lodged, the matter will be decided by the county court.

All fees listed are inclusive of VAT

The link below from Rent Smart Wales and provides further information:

Tenant letting fees: detailed guidance - tenant-letting-fees-detailed-guidance.pdf

Tenancy deposit protection - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Complaints procedure for tenants - Download (.pdf)