Important tenancy information

Walls

The tenancy agreement states that no items (including posters) should be affixed to walls and all walls must be left in the same condition as you find them. The cost of repainting a wall which has been lightly damaged by blu-tack/other marks, is approximately £35.00 (which the tenants are liable for) or £45.00 if the wall has to be filled/sanded as a result of for example nails or heavy blu-tack damage.  If you want to put up posters etc, we recommend that you use only one wall to minimise the cost to you. Blu-tack (and other similar products) invariably leave a greasy residue which can only rectified by repainting. Please note that any blu-tack or other damage will result in the full wall having to be repainted as it is not possible to touch up a small area without it being noticeable. For this reason, please do not attempt to touch up or repaint any damage as this will still be obvious and the wall will still require repainting. If you repaint or otherwise mark a wall in a dark colour, the cost of repainting the wall will be higher as several coats of paint will be required.

Smoking + other fire hazards

Smoking is a fire risk and is not permitted within the property.  The cost of any damage  (eg cigarette burns, cleaning of curtains and carpets, repainting etc. to remove the smell) will be charged to the tenants in full.  Accordingly, you should smoke outside the property.  Similarly, the use of candles and other fire hazards is prohibited.

Keys + locks 

There is a charge of £15.00 per key if you require replacements. If there is a security risk as a result of loss of keys, you will be liable for replacement locks and all keys – it may be possible to claim this cost on your on your personal insurance. There is a call out charge if you lock yourself out and require assistance to be let in – £35.00 from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday – Friday (excluding bank holidays) or £50.00 -£120.00 (depending on time/date) at all other times. The locks provided have been determined taking into account both security and fire escape considerations and no further locks can be fitted to any door. We do not provide handle locking keys for most types of UPVC windows – these windows automatically lock when the handle is closed. The key simply locks the handle in position so the window cannot be opened from inside – this may be hazardous in the case of fire or other emergency.

Furniture

We recommend that you do not move furniture (including beds) out of any room as the furniture/woodwork/walls can be damaged in the process. If you move furniture, you should exercise extreme care and ensure that the furniture is moved back to its original position at the end of the tenancy. You will be liable for any damage caused to the property and for the cost of moving any furniture back to its original position. Unwanted furniture must not be kept in hallways/garage/cellar. You should contact our office for the cost of storage/ removal of any unwanted furniture or for professional moving of furniture from one room to another. Furniture (including the table and chairs) must not be taken into the garden – you will be charged for the cost of replacement items if the furniture is damaged e.g. water damage.

Burns, stains etc.

Burns (for example caused by hair straighteners, hair dryers. irons, cigarettes etc.) cannot be rectified and will result in a charge to you for a replacement carpet etc. To avoid this sort of damage, please do not put irons, hair straighteners or any other hot appliances directly on the floor or any surface.  Carpet stains should be removed as soon as possible as they are more easily rectified if dealt with immediately. Hair dye should be used with extreme care as it cannot be removed from any surface.  

Kitchen worktops

Please take care not to damage the worktops. Do not use knives or place hot saucepans etc directly onto the surface.  

Light bulbs

Tenants are responsible for replacing light bulbs and must leave the property with them all working.

Condensation + humidistat fan

In order to prevent dampness, please air the house regularly and at the same time keep it well heated. You should open the bathroom window during/after a shower/bath for as long as possible and open the kitchen window when cooking. We can arrange for a dehumidifier to be provided in the property if you find that there is condensation. Drying clothes on radiators should be avoided as this causes damp. The fan in the property works when there is any dampness or humidity and will only turn off when there is no dampness in the atmosphere – the aim is to keep the house free from damp. Further advice can be accessed via the condensation link on the tenant portal.

Drain blockages

Toilet fresheners placed over the rim of the toilet often fall into the toilet bowl and cause drain blockages. You are responsible for the cost of repairing such blockages. We recommend that you do not use this type of toilet freshener. Bathroom plugholes should be kept free of hair and left-over food (e.g. rice) must not be put down the kitchen sink. Tenants are responsible for the cost of unblocking a sink/drain caused by these actions.

Hire of additional items

We can arrange for the rental of various items for you including TVs, microwaves , additional fridge, other furniture etc. Please contact us for further information.

Smoke alarm

The smoke alarms are situated in the property for your safety.  Please do not remove a smoke alarm in any circumstances. 

Bikes

Bikes should not be kept inside the property.

Outside of the property

It is the tenants’ responsibility to keep the outside of the property free from litter, cigarette stubs etc. As a gesture of goodwill, the landlord will pay the cost of periodic outside maintenance (eg weedkilling, gardening etc). The contractors have access to the back of the property and due to the variable weather conditions it is not possible to give the exact date/ time of these visits.

Curtains, voiles, shower curtain + mattress protectors

If you replace or remove any items provided in the property (e.g. voiles, curtains, toilet seat, shower curtain etc), you must leave the original items in the property at the end of the tenancy or you will be charged for a replacement. You should use extreme care if you wash the curtains/ voiles/ mattress protector as they can be damaged for example by using too high a temperature. Please ensure that you use the mattress protector at all times and leave the original in the property at the end of the tenancy.

Installation of new wiring for broadband 

If any work (fixed wiring etc) is required to install broadband  please first refer to the sky + cable link on the tenant portal.