Information for Tenants of Lanes MK Properties in Milton Keynes
Welcome to the Tenant information page. Here you’ll find answers to most of the questions you may have as a tenant in one of the properties we manage. If something isn’t covered, feel free to contact us.
Enquiry & Viewing
Here at Lanes MK we’re always happy to use our expertise to help. But that doesn’t just extend to landlords. We can offer you a range of qualifying questions to match your wants and desires with local landlords. We’re also able to help you find your perfect property with our Property Match service as well as accompanying you to the viewings to ensure you know what to look for.
We’ll be by your side throughout the entire enquiry and viewing process, ensuring you get the best possible home for your money and requirements.
Terms of Rental
Once you’ve found your new home and you’re getting ready to move in, we’re sure you’ll have a few questions. Although no two properties are the same and there are few hard and fast rules, the below sections should explain how the average rental property operates in our experience.
Rent Payments
Rent is payable monthly, in advance and by standing order only.
Security Deposit
Deposits are set at five weeks rent. It will always be payable in advance and returned at the end of the tenancy agreement, subject to any deductions (damage and outstanding rent etc.).
The deposit will always be registered with The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) which is run by The Dispute Service Ltd. You can read more about this at the bottom of this page.
Please note – deposits must be paid by the tenant only and no interest is paid on monies held by the agent.
Rental Period
This is a minimum period of six months, longer terms from 12 months are often agreed by both landlord and tenant.
Possession
Occupation will be granted on the date of commencement of the tenancy agreement, providing satisfactory references have been received and all relevant monies paid to Lanes Rentals Ltd.
Personal/company cheques will NOT be accepted on day of occupancy.
Pets
We do occasionally manage properties which allow pets. However, these will generally be subject to additional clauses within the tenancy agreement. We politely ask that you notify us if you’re thinking of keeping pets as early as possible so we are able to factor this into our search.
Phone & Broadband
This will generally be the Tenant’s responsibility. You’ll need to check if any prior connection agreement exists before signing the tenancy and organise your own if there isn’t. Both the Landlord and Lanes MK will not be held responsible for reconnection fees at a property unless a prior agreement has been made in writing.
How To Rent
If you’d like to confirm any general information relating to renting in the UK, please have a browse of the UK Government ‘How To Rent’ guide.
This is applicable to all tenants.
Right To Rent
For non-UK Tenants, you may be asked to prove your right to rent in the UK. To do this, you can use the Government tool provided below.
Referencing
So now you’ve found your new home and received your offer letter from the landlord. The next step will be referencing. There are a few common steps to get through at this stage, however rest assured we’ll be right by your side throughout.
ID Check
We’ll need to ensure you are who you say you are, and that you have the right to rent in the UK. This can consist of a selection of valid forms of ID such as a British passport, driver’s license and/or birth certificate.
If you’re a non-British citizen you may need to provide a share code to prove your immigration status and right to rent in the UK.
Affordability
You’ll need to earn 2.5x your annual rent to pass the affordability referencing. If you do not, you may be asked to provide a guarantor. You’ll need to prove your income either by pay slips, employer references, tax returns or savings and bank statements.
Credit Check
A ‘soft credit check’ will be performed to view your credit history. You’ll need to give Goodlord written permission to complete this.
This will not affect your credit score; however it allows us to see your credit history.
Guarantor
If you’ll be providing a guarantor, they’ll need to go through a similar referencing and credit check process to you. To be safe, even if you think you’ll pass referencing without one, it’s a smart idea to keep a guarantor in mind to avoid slowing down the letting process.
Employer/Landlord Reference
We will ask for a letter of reference to confirm your employment. We may also ask for a reference letter from your previous landlord to comment on your previous tenancy.
Portal
With some lettings, you’ll be given access to a portal. This is where you will be able to:
- Report repairs or maintenance
- Log and remember important dates
- Find copies of all relevant documents
Insurance & Protections
We offer a range of insurances and protections for tenants. You can find a little bit of information about these below, with links to the full flyers.
Tenants Contents & Liability Insurance
Our partner Goodlord can help you to cover all your possessions against a wide range of damage. With no upfront cost and flexible payment dates, we’re confident this cover will be able to provide protection for you and your personal items as well as optional extra cover against liability should damages occur to the property or Landlord’s posessions.
Illness & Injury Insurance
If you suffer from serious illness or injury, have you thought about how you’d pay your rent and utility bills? This protection ensures your payments are made should the worst happen, protecting the roof over your head while you get back on your feet.
Deposit Protection
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) is provided by The Dispute Service Ltd. It’s backed by insurers and has been put in place to ensure a fair and just deposit return to tenants around the UK, authorised by the government. This scheme has 2 main purposes; to protect deposits and to help resolve disputes around deposits.
