Guide to Renting in Buckinghamshire


A step-by-step guide to help you find the right property to rent

Ahead of your search


There are a few really small things you can do to help make your move and simplify the tenancy process. 


At the point of registering it is worth giving that extra bit of detail. This will benefit you at the offer stage and drawing up contracts.



  • Who is going to be renting the property?

  • Any Tenant or occupiers full names

  • Pets (if applicable)


We would also advise it is worth speaking with your employer/HR contact, accountant and current Landlord to notify them additional information will be requested as part of the referencing process. 


Please also refer to the Government’s how to rent guide 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/942503/6.6642_MHCLG_How_to_Rent_v5.pdf 


Viewings


Now for the fun bit…After discussing your brief in detail, we will put together the best options for you and show you around. All the team are locally based so if you are not versed in the area, we can offer some guidance and an overview to help give you more colour.


All properties will have Energy Performance Certificates to give you an indication on their energy efficiency. 


As council tax pricing can alter at the time of publishing pricing on our brochures, we advise Tenants to search the council tax with the property postcode.


Tenancy Details


Once you have found a property of interest you will be sent an offer form to complete.
This will request the following information:



  • Full Name of Tenants

  • Full names of Occupiers (as per passports)

  • Length of lease

  • Start date

  • Break Clause (if required)

  • Requests & Conditions

  • Pets if applicable


Holding deposit


An accepted offer will always be subject to contract and references. At this stage a holding deposit (equating to one weeks rent) will be requested to remove the property from the market whilst references are obtained. This amount is not an administration fee and contributes to your initial move in monies of the first payment or rent.


Referencing & Contracts


You will be sent a copy of the draft tenancy agreement to review with the following supporting documents



  • Full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

  • Government How to rent guide

  • Tenancy Deposit Scheme information relating to the security deposit

  • A current gas safety certificate

  • An Electrical Inspection Condition report (EICR)


You will be asked to complete an online application for referencing which will require information from your employer or accountant, a clear copy of your passport and any rental history (if applicable).


Right to rent


This is a check carried out to determine a Tenant’s right to rent in the UK. This will form part of the referencing process and a visual check of a Tenant or Occupiers passport with them in person is required. These checks must be completed in person with an employee of Bovingdons within 28 days of the tenancy start date.


https://www.gov.uk/check-tenant-right-to-rent-documents


Finalising the Tenancy


Once references have been reviewed and approved by the Landlord the final lease will be sent out for digital signature for all parties. We will also ask you to pay the balance of your move in monies and ensure you have arrangements in place, to make future rental payments.


Preparing for your move


An inventory check will be arranged on the first day of your tenancy. Once this has been completed, the keys will be released to you. The inventory check in report will be sent to you a few days later for you to review along with any other tenancy documents.


If your property is managed by Bovingdons, our specialist property management team will introduce themselves as your point of contact to deal with any initial or ongoing queries. Where the Landlord has chosen to make their own arrangements for managing the property, we will share their details with you.


Things to consider 


As a Tenant you would be responsible for the following (unless stated otherwise in your lease)



  • Council tax

  • Gas & Electric

  • TV Licence

  • Maintenance of the garden


Meter readings for the utilities will be given in your check in report. If the property is managed or not managed by Bovingdons, setting up the utilities, council tax and TV licence will always be the Tenants responsibility.