Tenant guidelines
Dorset Property was established in 1984 as a specialist letting agent handling quality rented accommodation in all price brackets throughtout Dorset.
We now have a network of three offices throughout Dorset providing comprehensive coverage of the county and its borders and offering tenants a wide choice.
We have dedicated owner-management and experienced ARLA qualified staff in every office. Each member of the team has a detailed knowledge of the locality and the properties available to suit your needs.
Guidelines and terms & conditions for tenants
Each member of our team has a detailed knowledge of their locality and, with three branches across the county, we can broaden the search if required. We hope we will be able to find suitable accommodation for you and that the following notes will be helpful and informative.
Once you have found a suitable property you can reserve it by providing fully completed application forms, proof of ID and UK residence and by paying a holding deposit which is the equivalent of seven days rent. The property will then be considered let subject to referencing
On applying for a property you will receive the following documents:
- A draft Tenancy Agreement
- Gas Safety certificate (if applicable)
- Electrical Installation Certification
- Energy Performance certificate
- 'How to Rent' booklet
- Deposit Scheme Information
- Privacy Policy
The holding deposit will be held by Dorset Property and will form part of the rent on commencement of the tenancy agreement as agreed when signing the Tenancy Guide. The holding deposit will be withheld in the following circumstances:
- The tenant withdraws from the tenancy
- Any relevant person withdraws from the tenancy
- Failure of right to rent checks
- Provides materially significant false or misleading information
- The tenant fails to sign the tenancy agreement within 15 days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).
Information required includes your place of residence over the past three years, details of your employment and present landlord (if renting). We then take up references, including a financial reference. In certain circumstances we may require a guarantor, in which case references would also be taken for the guarantor.
Once satisfactory referencing is completed, a tenancy agreement will be prepared.
Prior to the tenancy start date, we will require payment in cleared funds of a deposit to cover breakages and dilapidations. The deposit will be the maximum of equivalent to 5 weeks rent. Where a property is managed by Dorset Property the deposit will usually be held by Dorset Property as Stakeholder and registered with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme, a government approved Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. At the end of the tenancy the deposit is returned to you less any agreed deductions. Where a landlord manages the property Dorset Property will confirm the scheme in which the deposit will be held.
Once the tenancy agreement is signed, the first months' rent is payable by commencement of the tenancy. In most cases an inventory will be carried out prior to the move in date.
Arrangements will then be made for the handover of keys. From finding accommodation to moving in usually takes about two to four weeks. It can, however, be completed in a shorter time frame when necessary. We would recommend that you have adequate insurance to cover accidental damage to the landlord's fixtures and fittings as this could prevent retentions from your deposit.
Please keep in touch with us so that we are better able to help you in your search and we trust that the service you receive from Dorset Property will lead to a happy and successful tenancy.
