1. Looking for a suitable property

When you start looking for rental accommodation, you should allow enough time to find a suitable property as well as a minimum of two weeks to complete the application and referencing processes. In certain instances it may be possible to organise a tenancy within a shorter timescale.

2. Affordability

Our referencing process includes an affordability calculation. Your annual earnings (as an individual or as a couple) from provable acceptable sources must be equal to or more than 2.5 times the annual rent. The link below shows how much you need to earn to be accepted for properties at varying monthly rents. If you fall short of these figures, your application may be acceptable if you can provide a guarantor who will need provable acceptable income of a minimum of 3 times the annual rent. Your Louise Oliver Properties advisor can advise you further on this issue.

Louise Oliver Properties operates a policy of considering all tenants fairly based on suitability and affordability. In order to apply this policy we may require information regarding your particular circumstances in order to ascertain your suitability and affordability to discuss with the landlord who will make the final decision to proceed with any tenancy.

If a situation arises where more than one party is interested in the same property, the Landlord will make the final decision on which tenant to choose.

3. Viewing properties

When viewing, you must consider the property carefully and ensure that you check exactly what is and is not included in the furnishings and fixtures.

Any discussions or correspondence with the owner, or our staff, are expressly deemed to be subject to application, reference and contract. A current tenant cannot speak on behalf of the landlord or Louise Oliver Properties.

4. Securing a property

Once you have selected a property, you will be required to visit the nearest Louise Oliver Properties Sales and Lettings branch to secure the property. During this visit the following will be required:

Confirmation of personal details and contact information - This will be required for everyone who will be residing at the property over the age of 18.

Proof of identity - This is a legal requirement under Anti Money Laundering Regulations and Immigration Act 2014 Right to Rent legislation and without the required identification your application cannot be processed.

ID will be required for each adult applying to rent the property. Both personal ID and address verification will be required. If you are unsure what is required or whether you have suitable ID please speak to a Louise Oliver Properties advisor.

Personal ID - Valid passport or equivalent and a valid visa where applicable

Address Verification - Current UK driving license showing current address - Up to date utility bill with current address.

Tenant Protection - We will require your consent to speak to our protection consultant in relation to the financial security of you and your new home to ensure you are fully aware of all risks the options available to protect against them.

Holding Deposit - You will be required to complete some initial paperwork and pay a holding deposit to reserve the property. The holding deposit will be the equivalent of 1 week's rent.

5. Application, referencing & credit checks

You will be required to complete online application forms and pass a credit check and referencing process. We use an external company to carry out this process which takes between 5 and 7 working days on average (though can take longer in some circumstances). They provide us with the following information:

• Voters roll registration at current or previous addresses
• Details of any previous bankruptcy in the last 5 years
• Details of other searches and financial transactions
• Full credit score information (pass or fail)
• Right to Rent Check – Immigration Act 2014
• Full employers reference, commencement date and salary
• Previous/current Letting Agent or landlord report (where applicable)
• Compilations and assessment of all available information
• Recommendation on applicants suitability for the tenancy

We will contact you once all references and checks have been carried out to discuss potential move-in dates, however, should you require an update after 5 working days (not including weekends or bank holidays) please call our Property Management Administration Centre on 01724 336008

Important: If you have a specific date or timetable to move in, this must be advised at the application stage. However, no guarantees can be given as to a move in date until all references and checks have been satisfied.

NB: We cannot under any circumstances, divulge to you any information obtained from the credit reference other than to say that it was satisfactory or not satisfactory.