C P Walker & Son. Estate Agents, Property Lettings and Insurance Brokers since 1896

Student Property - Step by Step on How to Rent a Property

1.Identify a property you would like to rent
All viewings must be arranged through this office. Under no circumstances should you try and access the property direct.
Properties are occupied and for security reasons tenants are advised not to let anyone in without a prior appointment.

2.Complete a Tenancy Application Form
Each person who wants to live at the property is asked to complete a Tenancy Application Form and provide some basic details. This allows us to take appropriate references before we can obtain the owner's approval to proceed with the letting. Students are also asked to provide:

*Confirmation that they will be attending Nottingham University (e.g. a copy of the University's offer letter or student ID card)

*Overseas Students will be asked for confirmation as to how their study is being financed
(e.g. copy of letter confirming sponsorship, confirmation of bank funds or confirmation of funding from parent or guardian)

*Overseas Students will be required to provide a copy of their passport and confirmation of their overseas address.

When handing in the application, each person will be required to pay an Application Fee of Ł25 each. Once an application has been accepted, no further viewings will take place. This means that the property has been secured, subject to the approval of references and completion of the various agreements.

3.Complete the Tenancy Agreement & Pay the Deposit
As soon as we have completed progressing the Application and have the owner's instructions to proceed, we can complete the Tenancy Agreement. On completion of the Tenancy Agreement, each person is required to pay the deposit (or "damage bond"). The deposit for each property is equivalent to the monthly rent + Ł50 per tenant. This will be held by CP Walker & Son in accordance with the terms of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (a Government authorised scheme that protects deposits from misappropriation) and returned after the end of the tenancy on the basis that there are no rent arrears, damage or other relevant breaches of the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. Please also note that Students are not required to pay our normal agency fee of Ł100 on completion of the tenancy.

4.Complete the Guarantor Agreements
Students that are normally resident within the UK will be asked to provide a Guarantor (usually a parent) who will agree underwrite your obligations under the terms of the tenancy agreement. Overseas applicants will be considered but may be required to pay an additional Deposit.

5.Pay the initial instalment of rent
You should make arrangements to pay the initial instalment of rent by the start date specified in the Tenancy Agreement. Payments made can be by cash or card (credit cards and overseas debit cards are accepted but there is an additional charge of 2% that is payable separately). Payments are also accepted by bank transfer though you should make sure that the correct payment reference is quoted--please ask for details.

6.Collect the keys and agree the Inventory & Schedule of Condition
When or shortly after you move into the property, we will give you an Inventory & Schedule of Condition to consider. This document records the general state of the property as at the start of the tenancy and lists the various contents that are supplied with it. You should check through this and contact us within 7 days if you do not agree with anything stated within the Inventory. This then forms a record of the property against which any disputes can be referred to during or at the end of the tenancy. We will also supply you with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate. Meter readings will be taken and we will inform the gas, electric and water suppliers and the Local Authority.