Tenants Guide

Understanding your affordability

To know your affordability, you first need to combine the annual household income for every adult moving into the property, then divide that number by 30 to get the maximum amount of rent you can afford each month. Use this number to set your budget and search criteria.

Our property experts are available to discuss your options if your affordability is lower than your budget. Please email info@jngestates.co.uk or call us on 0203 1376 799.

Dealing with JNG Estates

• You will deal with JNG Estates professionals to move into a property.
• You may deal with the landlord directly after your move in depending on the package they choose.
• However, if any of our landlords wants to do their own viewings, we will discuss with you first, then send them your details to contact you directly to arrange viewing.

How to book a viewing

1. Register here.
2. Search for your ideal property.
3. Click "Arrange Viewing.
4. Alternatively, you can call us on 0203 1376 799 to speak to one of our property professionals.

Referencing

Once we find you a suitable property, the next step is referencing. You will receive a link to complete a referencing form with a third-party referencing agency.

They will check the following:

• Your credit scores.
• Your current employment status.
• Your annual salary.
• Current landlord reference.
• If you are a student? – Your guarantor or proof of funding.
• If you are self-employed? – Accountant reference/Self-assessment and trading details.
• Finally, you need to provide a photographic Identification and proof of address dated within the last 3 months.

Move in monies

• You are required to pay a holding deposit equivalent of one week rent to reserve a property from our available list. Its shows good faith and seriousness on the part of the tenant to commit. This further gives the landlord confidence to proceed.
• The holding deposit is an inclusive cost. It is deducted from your 5 weeks security deposit and first month rent.
• If the landlord withdraws from the offer due to no faults of the tenants, the holding deposit is fully refundable.
• If the tenant withdraws from the offer due to no fault of the landlord or agency, all or some of the holding deposit is retained to cover some reasonable cost.
• After referencing is complete, you are required to pay the first month rent, plus 5 weeks security deposit minus the holding deposit, five working days to your move in to allow funds to clear into our company’s account.

Tenancy Agreement

• For a tenancy to commence, you and the landlord need to sign a tenancy agreement.
• The tenancy agreement outlines both the landlord and the tenant responsibilities.
• A tenancy agreement is made between a landlord and a tenant.
• Standard tenancy agreements usually run for 12 months period.
• By law, we will send you a sample/draft tenancy for you to read before signing a tenancy agreement to commence your tenancy.
• If you do not understand anything in your draft tenancy, please speak to one of our property experts before signing.
• If you have further questions regarding this legal document, please seek independent legal advice.
• At the end of your tenancy period, we will contact you to discuss whether you wish to renew your tenancy for a further period.

Rental payment

• Your rent due date is the same as your move in date each month.
• You will either pay your rent to the landlord or JNG Estates if we manage or collect the rent on the landlord’s behalf.

Maintenance and repairs

• Prior to the start of your tenancy, we will inform you of how to report any maintenance and repairs issue.
• If we manage the property for the landlord, we will provide you with a contact information for our property management team.
• If the landlord is on a “Let Only” or “Rent Collection” service, you will need to contact the landlord directly to fix any maintenance or repairs issue.

Notice to terminate tenancy

• You are required to give at least one month’s notice in writing, mentioning your intention to terminate your tenancy, unless your tenancy agreement states otherwise.

Tenants Obligations

• The tenant is liable for the property during the tenancy period.
• You need to ensure that the property is always fully secured.
• During the winter months, take steps to ensure the pipes do not freeze.
• You are liable to pay all utility bills during your tenancy period.
• It is your responsibility to inform your local authority you are living at the property at the start of your tenancy and pay the council tax during your tenancy period.
• Students may be exempted from paying council tax. Please check with your local authority.

Inventory

• Our inventory is done by a third part inventory agency.
• They prepare an inventory and check in report at the start of the tenancy.
• The report is detailed. It shows the condition and content in the property at the start of the tenancy.
• The inventory clerk also provides their opinions on the condition of the property and content in the property.
• The check in report is compared to a check out report.
• A thorough and well-prepared inventory and check-in report protects both landlord and tenant.

Property Inspections

• If we are the managing agent for your property, we will conduct a property inspection quarterly.
• One of our property managers will be in touch to arrange an appointment with you.

Returning Tenant Deposit

• At the end of your tenancy period, an inspection is carried out by the landlord or an inventory clerk.
• The check out report is compared to the check in report.
• Depending on damages, cleanliness or unpaid rent, the landlord may propose a deduction on your security deposit.
• If you do not agree with the deduction, you can try to negotiate with the landlord. If you further disagree, you will need to raise a dispute with the deposit protection service. As an independent adjudicator, they will assess all the evidence to decide how much deposit will go back to you and the landlord.