Tenants

Coronavirus Notice to our Customers

A MESSAGE FOR ALL TENANTS
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. We understand you will be finding it a worrying time at present. At Coast to Country Lettings, we want to reassure our tenants that we are here to support you. You may have seen the announcement  yesterday from Government on how tenants will be supported during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are still waiting for further detail which we will communicate to you when received. It is important that you keep in touch with us and let us know if you are in financial difficulty so that we can make your landlord aware of the situation and work with you to get through it. If you are having difficulties, we would encourage you to apply for Statutory Sick Pay and Universal Credit if you are eligible. The Government has introduced temporary changes to make it easier to apply. Further details can be found here https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/ Tenants currently claiming full housing benefit or universal credit will not be affected. However tenants receiving top up, but paying a proportion of rent from wages, should also take note of the above if your employment is affected. For now, adhering to government guidelines on preventing the spread of infection, we won’t be attending any routine property inspections, and, although we are still working from our office, it will be closed to the public. You can still get in touch via email or phone. As always, if you have an emergency please call or email  enquiries@coasttocountrylettings.co.uk  898911. Should we not be in the office, calls will divert to our mobile. Non-urgent maintenance will be noted and placed on hold for the time-being, but necessary maintenance and gas safety inspections will continue. Please be assured that our contractors are taking the necessary steps to make your health and safety a top priority. It is very important that you contact us without delay, should you be feeling unwell, if you have a contractor booked to visit. 

Stay well and thank you for working with us during this difficult time – please remember we are here to help.

Very best wishes,

Coast to Country Lettings and Property Management based in Seaford are flexible to each tenant’s needs. We are dedicated to finding you the right property. Our transparent way of doing business means that you can always expect:

  • Easy application process
  • A friendly and personable approach
  • Help every step of the way

Coast to Country Lettings is accredited by Safeagent Licence No: A5058 and part of the Safeagent Client Protection Money Scheme

Coast to Country lettings are Members of the Property Redress Scheme, Membership No: PRS000623


We have experience with Coast To Country Letting services from both sides of looking for property ourselves and having our current residence shown to potential new tenants. In both instances Coast To Country have been very courteous and efficient and they have always kept us informed and tried not to interrupt our daily living more than necessary. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to friends.
Owen & Louise, 2 bedroom bungalow, Peacehaven (tenants)


FINDING THE RIGHT PROPERTY
We want to assist tenants to find properties to rent that will meet their needs so we will conduct a brief interview with you over the phone or via email to find out your property requirements. We will then match your requirements to properties currently available with our lettings database. Additionally, we will make you aware of new properties as they become available via email, phone or text message. Properties to rent do generally become available one to two months before the availability date, so we would advise you to start looking early.

VIEWINGS
Once you have decided on any properties that suit you, we will arrange viewings at times convenient to you (subject of course, to the landlords permission). Prospective tenants are always accompanied on viewings so we can answer any questions, give you advice and find out which features you may or may not like about the property. We do ask that you bring proof of identification/current address with you. This will speed up the application process should you wish to go ahead. A courtesy car is available should transport be a problem.

APPLICATION
Once you have decided on your preferred property we will ask you to confirm required criteria/complete a written application form and provide a holding deposit equivalent to one week’s rent. Upon receipt of the holding deposit the property will cease to be advertised. Only one holding deposit will be taken in respect of any property. The funds are held whilst references, credit checks and preparation for a tenancy agreement are undertaken. The holding deposit will be retained if you – or a guarantor or relevant person – withdraws the application, fails to provide the necessary information in good time, provides false or misleading information, fails to act reasonably to enter into the tenancy before the deadline for the agreement or fails Right to Rent checks. The holding deposit will be refunded to you if the Landlord withdraws the property or your application is rejected without a relevant reason. Once the referencing is complete and a tenancy agreement is signed, the holding deposit can be refunded to you or, with your consent, the funds can be used as a contribution to the first month’s rent.
If you are unable to meet the required income or credit checks, the landlord may agree to you having a guarantor to underwrite any rent liabilities. A guarantor will be requested for any applicant under the age of 21 or applicants in receipt of housing benefit

DEPOSIT
A Tenancy Deposit (or ‘bond’) will be required prior to occupation. This will be the equivalent of five weeks’ rent. Tenancy Deposits must be held in accordance with legislation and forwarded to a Government approved Scheme. Where we are managing the property the Scheme will be the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) Custodial. Where we are not managing the property any Tenancy Deposit which is required will be taken by the landlord who must also deal with the deposit in accordance with an approved scheme. The Tenancy Deposit is held as security for the performance of the Tenant’s obligations under the Tenancy Agreement and to compensate the Landlord for any breach of those obligations. Where we are managing, at the end of the tenancy we will check the property in the presence of the tenant and assess if any deductions are required. Any deductions are notified in writing, usually with photographic evidence. Please note that the deposit cannot be used by the tenant to cover rent.

PERMITTED CHARGES
Application and referencing fees are no longer charged to a Tenancy Applicant. The following charges are permitted payments under the new legislation effective 1st June 2019.
A (Refundable) Holding Deposit: Equivalent to one week of the monthly rent, payable prior to an application (please see further guidance under ‘Application’ in respect of the Holding Deposit)
A (Refundable) Tenancy Deposit: Equivalent to five weeks of the monthly rent, payable prior to tenancy commencement (please see further guidance under ‘Deposit’ in respect of the Tenancy Deposit)
Unpaid/Late Rent: Rental payments overdue by more than 14 days will be subject to interest at the rate of 3% over the Bank of England Base Rate calculated from the date the payment was due up until the date payment is received.
Keys and/or other Security Devices: Tenants are responsible for ensuring that keys or other security devices are not kept or transported in such a way as the property address can be identified if the keys are lost or stolen. Should the Tenant lose the key/s or any security device/s giving access to the property, the cost for replacement keys, devices or locks will be charged to the Tenant. Where the landlord or Agent incurs a cost in organising replacement keys, locks or devices, a charge of £15 per hour may be charged to the Tenant.  Alternatively the Tenant may replace the keys or security devices at their own cost, ensuring the required number of copies are supplied to the Landlord or Agent if the locks are replaced.
Changes to the tenancy: Should a Tenant request of the Landlord or Agent a variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy, the Landlord or Agent (should the request be agreed) may charge a fee. The fee is not likely to exceed £50 but may do so. The tenant shall be notified in writing of the reasonable costs incurred.

In exceptional circumstances, early termination of a contract may be agreed by the Landlord. In such cases the Tenant will be liable to pay the financial loss suffered by the Landlord in permitting the early termination, and reasonable costs incurred by the Landlord/Agent in arranging for the Tenant to leave early. The costs will not exceed the amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.

Non Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ie Company Let): £360 (including VAT) in respect of administration and referencing

For tenancies entered into prior to the 1st June 2019 ONLY
 The following fees may be charged up to the 31st May 2020 where stated in a current tenancy agreement dated prior to the 1st June 2019 (all fees include VAT @ 20%):
Letters sent concerning breaches of tenancy £24 per letter
A payment returned by the bank or re-presented by the bank £24
Non-returned inventory £95.00


INVENTORY AND ROUTINE VISITS
Before commencement of the tenancy we will complete a Schedule of Condition of the property and compile a comprehensive inventory including all fixtures and fittings. This is a vital document for both landlords and tenants and prevents any disputes arising at the end of the rental term. During the tenancy we will conduct professional routine visits of the property (usually one at 3 months then 6 monthly) to ensure any damage or loss which may have occurred is documented. These visits will also give you the opportunity of raising any issues. You will always be given notification when an inspection is due to be conducted.

UTILITIES
Supplies of electricity, gas and water will be your responsibility throughout the duration of the tenancy.

TELEPHONE
When moving into your rental property, you will be responsible for making your own application to BT or another supplier for any phone or broadband connection you require. You will be responsible for all telephone bills relating to the time you occupy the property.

COUNCIL TAX
The tenant is responsible for making payments to the council for council tax charges. This can be paid monthly or annually and should be arranged directly with the council. The tenant is solely responsible for any charges that may occur as a result of non-payment.

RENTAL PAYMENTS
Your rental payments will be made in advance, usually monthly, by standing order from your bank or building society.

KEYS
One set of keys per tenant will be issued on commencement of the rental agreement. You are responsible for ensuring the property is secure and locked at all times when no one is at home. All additional household keys will be marked and left in the kitchen. Coast to Country also retains a set of keys to the property.

GARDENS
If the rental property includes a garden, the tenant is responsible for keeping it in good order during their lease. The landlord may provide appropriate tools for lawn cutting, weeding and the maintenance of any trees, shrubs or flowers present.

SAFETY REGULATIONS
All properties will comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) regulations and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations, where applicable.

PROPERTY REPAIRS
We want you to be happy in your rental property and, where managing, will deal with any arising problems quickly and efficiently, therefore any faults or repairs must be reported without any delay. We use only professional, respected tradesmen to carry out any necessary maintenance or repairs.


OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE CONTACT

General Emergency
An out of hour’s service is available in the event of an emergency. Faults are classified as either routine or emergency.Routine repairs should be reported to our office for attention during normal office hours.
Definition of an Emergency that may require immediate attention: A hazard or issue which presents a risk to the occupiers or a risk to the property.
The following problems are examples of the type of situation that would be considered to be an emergency:

  • total loss of electric power;
  • unsafe, broken or missing electrical fitting (not simply defective) comprising a dangerous fault that is immediately life threatening;
  • total loss of gas supply or gas leak on the property side of the meter;
  • blocked, damaged or defective flue to an open fire or gas appliance;
  • loss of heating or hot water (in particular those with medical conditions, tenants aged over 60 or those with young children)
  • blocked toilet pan if only one in house, soil stack or blocked foul drain;
  • leak from a water supply pipe, heating pipe, tank or cistern;

REPAIR NOTICE TO TENANTS: Please note that you must not authorise any repairs to the property or incur any unauthorised expenses without contacting our recommended contractor in the first instance. The cost of any work authorised by you or someone acting on your behalf conducted without our agreement may not be reimbursed, and especially in instances where the event is not considered to be an emergency, ie a hazard which presents a risk to occupiers or property. Please note that the Landlord will not accept responsibility for any problems that may occur doing self-help repairs.

Coronavirus Notice to our Customers

A MESSAGE FOR ALL TENANTS
We hope this message finds you and your loved ones well. We understand you will be finding it a worrying time at present. At Coast to Country Lettings, we want to reassure our tenants that we are here to support you. You may have seen the announcement  yesterday from Government on how tenants will be supported during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are still waiting for further detail which we will communicate to you when received. It is important that you keep in touch with us and let us know if you are in financial difficulty so that we can make your landlord aware of the situation and work with you to get through it. If you are having difficulties, we would encourage you to apply for Statutory Sick Pay and Universal Credit if you are eligible. The Government has introduced temporary changes to make it easier to apply. Further details can be found here https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/ Tenants currently claiming full housing benefit or universal credit will not be affected. However tenants receiving top up, but paying a proportion of rent from wages, should also take note of the above if your employment is affected. For now, adhering to government guidelines on preventing the spread of infection, we won’t be attending any routine property inspections, and, although we are still working from our office, it will be closed to the public. You can still get in touch via email or phone. As always, if you have an emergency please call or email  enquiries@coasttocountrylettings.co.uk  898911. Should we not be in the office, calls will divert to our mobile. Non-urgent maintenance will be noted and placed on hold for the time-being, but necessary maintenance and gas safety inspections will continue. Please be assured that our contractors are taking the necessary steps to make your health and safety a top priority. It is very important that you contact us without delay, should you be feeling unwell, if you have a contractor booked to visit. 

Stay well and thank you for working with us during this difficult time – please remember we are here to help.

Very best wishes

TENANT WARNING: Please be careful when calling out our engineers out of hours or over public holiday periods. If the repair is not deemed as an emergency you, as the tenant calling upon a third party, may be liable for the contractor’s emergency call out charges.

Contact numbers in the event of an EMERGENCY during out of office hours, weekends and bank holidays:

  • Leave It To Me Property Services on or 07778 103611, 07725121954 or 07368206246 (plumbing, electrics, heating/hot water, gas) 
  • Smell gas? 24 hour gas emergency services 0800 111 999(1) If you smell gas, think you have a gas leak or have any concerns regarding carbon monoxide, immediately open all windows and doors and extinguish any naked flames including cigarettes, then call the Gas Emergency Services free on 0800 111 999 as a matter of urgency. 
  • Power cut? Please check your fuse box first (to make sure it hasn’t tripped), otherwise call UK Power Networks free on 105 or 0800 31 63 105 or 0333 202 2023 (from a mobile phones) text POWER and you postcode 80876  ukpowernetworks.co.uk/liveupdates
  • 999 for Police, Ambulance or Fire Service

No guarantee can be given for response times of local contractors. Sometimes delays are unavoidable due to availability and the time of year.