Questions & Answers

Take a look at the advice below and if we haven’t answered your question, just give us a call and talk to a member of our team.

Getting Started

How do I book a viewing?

Check out our available properties, make a list of the ones you would like to see, and give us a call to arrange a viewing.

We can stagger viewing several properties all in one viewing. Don’t worry if you don’t have transport – we can meet you at the property, or you can meet us at the office and a member of the Lettings Team will take you to the property.

Our accompanied viewings can be booked in 5 days a week (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) at a mutually agreed time.

We also offer evening and weekend viewings – these are upon request only.

Do I need to meet the landlord?

It is not usually necessary for you to meet the landlord.

As we are the agents, you will deal with us. We will manage all negotiations between yourself and the landlord and ensure all the paperwork is completed for your tenancy.

I want to take the property, what are the next steps?

Once you have chosen your new home for agreed the rent, we require the following:

Professionals:

• 1 weeks rent Holding Fee is paid to us on applying for the property which forms part of your first months rent on signing the tenancy agreement
• Previous landlord reference
• Employer reference
• Guarantor (if self-employed)
• Copy of a bank statement (3 months’ bank statements or pay slips)
• Copy of photo ID

Students:

• 1 weeks rent Holding Fee is paid to us on applying for the property which forms part of your first months rent on signing the tenancy agreement
• Guarantor (usually a parent)
• Copy of a guarantor’s bank statement (3 months’ bank statements or pay slips)
• Copy of your photo ID and your guarantor’s ID

You do not need to come into the office, we can do everything online/via email.

What is an inventory?

On your move in day you will be provided with a document called an inventory, this contains photographs of the whole property and lists the condition it is in when you move in. This is a very important document and can often be key in deciding how much of your deposit you get back at the end of your agreement. So please be extremely thorough and pay attention to detail to everything in the inventory, this will protect your interests. You must sign and return the inventory to us within 7 working days of receiving it.

Moving In

Its move in day! Please come to our office to collect your keys. Meter readings are collected for the property from the day you move in. We want to make the move in process as simple and easy as possible for you, so we contact the utility companies for you which are:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Council Tax

You are then responsible to pay these bills from the day the tenancy agreement starts. You will also need to inform the utility provider as the agent cannot be held responsible for your bills.

Signing Tenancy Agreements

The tenancy agreement is a contract between you and the landlord. It specifies certain rights to both you and the landlord, such as your right to live in the home for the agreed term and your landlord’s right to receive rent for letting the property.

You will digitally sign your Tenancy Agreement. Three copies are made. One will be kept by you, the landlord receives one and we have one on our files.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes, the deposit amount will be confirmed by the agency. This is fully refundable at the end of the tenancy providing there is no damage or cleaning to be done to the property caused by yourself. As required by the Housing Act April 2007 all of our deposits are held in a statutory deposit protection scheme. We use the Deposit Protection Service. You can read about it here www.depositprotection.com

I have a maintenance issue, what do I do?

If you are living in a property managed by Top365, you can use the link labelled “maintenance” at the top of our website. Please click on this tab and fill in the relevant information. Once you have submitted this, we will receive an email and will contact you to arrange access to get the relevant works done. Please do not report your maintenance issues over the phone as we need to have all issues in writing to be able to ensure it all gets complete.

Moving Out

If you are in a rolling contract, you will need to give your landlord or agent 1 months written notice on the day before your rent due date. However, if you are in a fixed term notice, you are not able to end your tenancy early unless the remaining rents are paid in advance. Please contact us for further information if you wish to move out before the end of your fixed term.

We will arrange to meet you at the property to conduct a move out inspection. This has to be done on or before the last day of your contract. If your move out date is on the weekend, we will meet you at the property the following Monday.

As long as the condition of the property is to a good standard, barring normal wear and tear, and clean, as stated in your inventory, you will receive your deposit back in full.

Please ensure the property has been given a thorough clean throughout, including carpets, windows, walls and furniture.

If you are responsible for the garden, please clear it and tidy away any rubbish.

Return all sets of keys to the landlord or agent (depending on who manages the property).

Please take all of your personal belongings with you.

Deposit Return

At the end of your tenancy, we will conduct a move-out inspection to check the condition of the property. If we are happy that the property is in the same condition as stated on the inventory when you moved in (we do allow for some wear and tear) and there are no costs to deduct for maintenance, we will refund you your whole deposit within 14 days of you leaving the property.

If, however, the property is not in a reasonable condition, we will deduct an amount from the deposit to cover any maintenance costs. These will be discussed with you.

Do you have more questions? Send us an email and we’ll help.