Tenant information

Please find a list of Tenant related topics below. If you cannot find an answer to your query from the topics below please do contact us.

How to select your perfect property
What rent can I afford?
Do I meet your criteria?
How to secure a property for rent
Why do I need to be referenced?
Why do I need to pay a damage deposit?
Why do I need a Guarantor?
What are my responsibilities as the tenant?
What happens on the day of Move in?
What happens on property visits?
What do I do if I have a maintenance problem?
What happens at renewal?
What if I have an emergency?
What do I need to give you to terminate our contract?

How to select your property

Chelton Brown is dedicated to finding you your ideal property. Our experienced negotiators will be pleased to arrange appointments at a time to suit you. You may also search our properties online. We also have late viewings until 7 o clock at night Monday - Thursday.

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What rent can I afford?

There is an affordability criteria you need to adhere to before viewing a property.
Below is an affordability guideline:

Rent PCM                Required Salary per annum

£350                          £12,000 - £13,500
£450                          £13,500 - £15,000
£500                          £15,000 - £16,500
£550                          £16,500 - £18,000
£600                          £18,000 - £21,000
£700                          £21,000 - £24,000
£800                          £24,000 - £27,000
£900                          £27,000 - £30,000
£1000                        £30,000 +
£1500                        £45,000 +
£2000                        £60,000 +

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Do I meet your criteria?

To view/secure any of our properties you must match the criteria below:

• Be in full time permanent employment 
• Meet 'Affordability Criteria' 
• Applicants over 21 years old

How to secure a property for rent

Now that you have found your perfect home you must pay a hold fee then in a Tenant Application Form. Please note you must also bring with you the following documentation:

• Two utility bills from your current address
• Photo ID
• Two months of recent pay slips or a balance sheet from your Accountant
• Proof you have the legal right to reside within the UK

ADMINISTRATION FEES

• Single applicant fee - £195 Inc. VAT
• Additional applicants (per tenant over the age of 18) - £55 Inc. VAT
• Guarantor fee (if required)- £55 Inc. VAT
• Company let fee - £280 Inc. VAT

This fee is payable to hold the property and is NON-REFUNDABLE.

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Why do I need to be referenced?

Every tenant over the age of 18, entering one of our properties must be referenced to ensure they can meet our criteria e.g. affordability of the rent. Once the application paperwork has been completed and the relevant documentation proof provided the referencing process will be initiated.

All of our references are done by a company called Rent Shield Direct. The reference procedure will look at the following:

• A Credit Assessment
• Employment History
• Proof of Residence

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Why do I need to pay a damage deposit?

A damage deposit is taken to protect the landlord from damage to the property which falls outside of normal wear and tear. The money is taken at the beginning of the tenancy and registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) for your protection. The money is fully refundable, however should there be disputes upon the final inspection that cannot be rectified it can be taken to The Dispute Service. The Dispute Service is a mutual party and will look at all evidence before deciding what amount will be deductible, if any, to the landlord.

Payable on 'Move In' day (see Deposit Guidelines below)

Rental Per Month / Deposit

£350.00 / £600.00
£450.00 / £600.00
£500.00 / £700.00
£550.00 / £750.00
£600.00 / £800.00
£700.00 / £900.00
£800.00 / £1000.00
£900.00 / £1,100.00
£1,000.00 / £1,200.00
£1,500.00 / £1,700.00
£2,000.00 / £2,200.00

Refundable ONLY when

• Proof of final bill payments are provided (Gas, Electricity, Water, Council Tax, Telephone etc)
• Property and items are as per ' Inventory Standard' at commencement of tenancy

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Why do I need a Guarantor?

If your reference comes back from Rent Shield Direct that we require a guarantor, this simply means that your credit assessment has not met out criteria therefore we need someone to guarantee that we will receive the rent.

This person can be a friend but is usually a relative and must earn in excess of £21,000pa. They will be referenced and will then be held liable if rent is not paid to us.

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What happens on day of Move in?

On the day you move in you will need to come in to the customer service office at the designated branch at your appointed time. Please allow up to one hour for this appointment.

You will meet your designated Property Manager who will go through the tenancy agreement which you will need to sign and agree to.
You will need to provide proof of contents insurance at this time.

You will need to pay:

• One month rent in advance
• Deposit - please refer to deposit guideline available on this page

You will then sign for the keys and it will be explained when the rent will be taken and your responsibilities to the property.

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What happens on property visits?

A property visit will take place approximately once every 16 weeks. It is to ensure that you are keeping the property to a good standard and also to address any concerns. A property visits takes approximately 15minuets dependant on the size of the property. A property manager will look in every room and outside, will write down any details of issues speak with you and give you a copy of the property visit report. You do not have to be present for the property visit.

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What are my responsibilities as the tenant?

You have certain responsibilities when you have secured a property.

You must

• Have insurance that covers the Tenants and Landlords contents with proof being provided on day of move in.
• Pay all Utility bills such as Gas, Water, Electricity, Telephone and Council Tax. 
• Allow regular inspections of the property.
• Report any maintenance and repair issues.

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What do I do if I have a maintenance problem?

You need to contact us primarily as the managing agent for the property and we will liaise with the landlord and contractors regarding any work to be done. Your property manager will contact you to discuss arrangements for the any work to be done.

Property management team have a specific telephone number to answer these queries : 01604 609379

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What happens if i have an emergency?

We understand that you may need to contact us in case of an emergency. We therefore have some contractors who will be available for emergency repairs, their contact numbers are as follows:

Plumbing & Heating

Farmer Plumbing & Heating 07814 165070
Keith Barrow Heating and Plumbing 07802 150007/ 07710 708209
Rixon Plumbing & Heating 07801900951

Security Boarding

Property Fixer 07919 101953

Electrical

SMART Electrical 07876 253054
MIS Electrical Iain  07815 735671

Emergencies are:

. No heating (when temperature is sub zero)
. No water (please call Anglian Water first on 08457 145 145)
. Burst pipes/severe leaks
. Where the property is not secure

Please note that if it is not a genuine emergency and is a routine repair, you may be held liable for the cost conducted during this time.

If you do need to instruct a contractor for any reason please also notify us via email admin@cheltonbrown.co.uk or call us on our return to the office.

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What happens at renewal?

All tenancy agreements are offered on an initial six month basis on an assured short hold tenancy agreement. Both Landlord and tenant are sent a letter asking whether they would like to continue the tenancy. If both parties agree for a further six months the renewal fee is paid and a new tenancy agreement is drawn up and sent.

All renewals are charged at £60 Inc. VAT, this is for the administration, preparation and execution of a new tenant agreement.

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What do I need to give you to terminate our contract?

To end a tenancy one month written notice is required from the tenant subject to the conditions of the tenancy agreement

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