We are glad that you are interested in our rental property. For your convenience, we have prepared this overview of our guidelines used in processing all rental applications. Please feel free to ask any questions.

We are an equal opportunities housing provider: It is our policy to rent our properties in full compliance with anti-discrimination laws. We do not discriminate against any person because of their race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, marital or family status, physical disability or sexual orientation.

Rental property availability: Rental properties only become available when they are completely ready to let, including cleaning, painting and the completion of all maintenance work and planned improvements. Rental property availability can change as properties become available during the day or are removed from the rental market based on finding tenants, cancellations or maintenance issues.

Valid photo identification and written authorisation: You must be able to present current photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport so that we can verify your identity. If your rental application is approved, we will require a photocopy of your ID when you move into the property to be kept in your tenant file. You must authorise us to verify all information provided in your rental application from credit sources, credit agencies, current and previous landlords and employers and character references.

Occupancy guidelines: In compliance with local authority guidelines there are restrictions on the total number of persons that may occupy a given rental property. Our guidelines allow two people per bedroom as long as that room is at least 10.2m square. Bedrooms of 6.5m square are suitable for one person. These guidelines are to prevent overcrowding and are in keeping with the limitations of the property. Occupancy will be limited to the persons indicated on the original rental application and lease only unless otherwise agreed in writing. Any proposed additional tenants must complete a rental application and be processed and approved through this same tenant-screening process prior to occupying the rental property.

Application process: All rental applications are evaluated in the same manner and each adult applicant must voluntarily provide his or her national insurance number and other details which will enable us to conduct a consumer credit report. Every adult applicant must complete a separate rental application form and pay the non-refundable application fee in advance. Any false or incomplete information will result in the denial of your application; if discovered after you are approved and have moved in, we reserve the right to terminate your tenancy. We will verify the information provided on each rental application through our own screening efforts and/or with the assistance of an independent tenant-screening firm. A credit report, along with references from your employer and current landlord for each and every applicant in a given rental property will determine whether our rental criteria has been met. Unless we need to verify information by regular mail, we are usually able to process a rental application in a couple of days.

Rental criteria

Income: The total combined monthly gross income of all rental applications in a given rental property must be at least three times the monthly rental rate. Only income that can be verified will count. We expect rental applicants with income to prove at least one year of continuous employment. Full-time students are welcome if the total income of all applicants combined is sufficient or they have a guarantor. You must provide proof of a source of income if you are unemployed. Remember: all adult tenants are joint and severally liable, which means that each one can be held responsible for the payment of all funds due regardless of ability to pay.

Credit history: You must be able to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. If you have any unpaid debts or a pattern of late payments or county court judgements (CCJ's) against you, your application may be denied.

Rental history: Each rental applicant must be able to demonstrate a pattern of meeting their rental obligations, leaving prior rental properties in good condition and not causing a barrage of complaints from neighbours. We will require satisfactory rental references from at least two previous landlords. If you have ever been evicted for violating a lease, your application may be denied.

Guarantors: If you do not meet one or more of the above criteria, you may be able to qualify to rent a property if you have a third party living in the UK who will guarantee your lease. The guarantor must pass the same application and screening process except that we will deduct the guarantor’s own housing costs before comparing his or her income to our income criteria.