STAGE TWO - Creation of agreements & start of new tenancies
After a suitable tenant has been found and agreed by you as landlord, a date shall be set for the commencement of the new tenancy. The Tenancy Agreements and legal paperwork will now be drafted.

This stage includes us carrying out the following:

Surety Deposits
A Surety Deposit will be taken from the ingoing tenant; in most cases this is equal to the amount of one month's rent plus £100.00. This is held throughout the whole term of the tenancy and returned to the tenant when the property is received back in the same good, clean condition as at the commencement. However, following the final inspection, should it be discovered that rectification works are needed, the deposit will be used to offset the cost of the work which will be arranged by opendoor.

Inventories
We create a detailed accommodation inventory including photographs and listings, room by room, of each property providing a highly accurate account of the condition as at the commencement of the Tenancy. This document will be signed by the ingoing tenant and opendoor, as managing agents, and will form part of the legal paperwork of the tenancy. This will be used during the final tenancy inspection.

Tenancy Agreements
We sign up all tenants to our Standard Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (typically six months with a periodic term thereafter) in accordance with the 1988 Housing Act. This sets out the responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. As managing agents we will be able to sign this on your behalf and all relevant parties will have their own personal copy.

Utility Companies
On the commencement date of the new tenancy, meter readings are taken of gas, water and electricity (where applicable) and the relevant utility company is informed of the occupants change over details. We also contact the council tax department and record any other fuel levels at the property, for example oil tank levels or solid fuel reserves.

Gas Certificates and other Legal / Safety Requirements
It is a legal requirement that all properties where gas is supplied hold a Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate. This is renewable annually and tests all gas appliances for safety within the property. We ensure that this kept up-to-date and, if necessary, organise the inspection to be completed before a tenancy commences. Electrical safety certificates can also be produced annually, and they are something that we highly recommended, and again can be arranged through our professional team. Should any smoke alarms be fitted within the property we highly recommend that they be tested and the batteries renewed before each tenancy.

Click to go to Stage Three