Belvoir Property Clinic - Looking for Rented Accommodation

Vicky Bowman, Lettings Manager at Belvoir Andover answers today’s property questions.

If you have a question for our monthly Belvoir Property Clinic, please send to info@belvoirandover.com

Q. My partner and I would like to rent our first home together but we are struggling to save the large deposit we need. Are there any options for paying a smaller deposit?

A. Yes, if you find a property through Belvoir you could qualify for Belvoir’s Nil Deposit Scheme. We know how tough it can be to raise that up-front deposit, so our Nil Deposit scheme offers an alternative option which will allow you to move quickly and easily into your chosen new home.

Rather than paying the usual six week’s rent as a deposit, you can now choose to pay a non-refundable fixed fee of just one week’s rent plus VAT.

At the end of the tenancy, the property will be inspected as usual and any claims for damage are invoiced to you for payment. It really is that simple!

There are some qualifying criteria, so pop into the office or give the Lettings Team a call on 01264 366611 to discuss.

Q. I have been looking for rented accommodation in Andover for some time now but even the smallest one bedroom flats are out of my reach. Have you any suggestions on how I can find something suitable?

A. It is difficult for those on limited budgets to find suitable homes to rent. Some of our smaller properties are let very quickly and you may not even get to see them advertised, so please do get in touch as we may be able to help you if we know what you are looking for.

Have you considered a house share? Belvoir always has a number of house or flat share opportunities and it can be the perfect solution for someone who can’t quite stretch to living on their own. Not only is the rent reduced but so are the bills.

Take a look at our website, www.belvoirandover.com to see what is currently available or drop into our office in Bridge Street so we can take your details and help you find the ideal home.

No Deposit? No Problem!

Belvoir is now offering a Nil Deposit Scheme for new tenants

Here at Belvoir, we know that it can be a struggle to raise a large deposit to put down on a rented home, so our new Nil Deposit Scheme offers an alternative option which will allow you to move quickly and easily into your chosen new home. 

Rather than paying the usual six week’s rental as a deposit, you can now choose to pay a non-refundable fixed fee of just one week’s rent plus VAT*

At the end of the tenancy, the property will be inspected in the usual way.

No need to save for months for that large deposit – yet another reason to Be with Belvoir!

How does it work? Pop in and see one of our Lettings team to find out if you qualify for Nil Deposit and to understand the full terms and conditions of the Scheme, or call them on 01264 366611

*Terms and Conditions apply

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS ARE A WORKING PARTNERSHIP

Old style conflicts between tenants in rented properties and their private sector landlords are largely the stuff of fading legend these days – according to the country’s largest property franchise Belvoir.

Delia Thing - Lettings Manager

“In the real world, no-one achieves anything that old fashioned way,” says Delia Thing, the Lettings Manager of Belvoir Andover on Bridge Street. “The modern approach is more about tenants and landlords cultivating partnerships.

“Both have interests to protect and they can both achieve that better by working together. If they can’t, then something is wrong – and mis-matches do happen - but good relationships are more the order of today.

“The truth is that a rented property may be part of a landlord’s livelihood but it’s also home to the tenant and the ideal situation is for them to work around each other.”

A professional lettings and management agency, such as Belvoir, will always look after the interests of both parties.

Methods of creating perfect harmony include:

·           Agreeing on periodic visits so the landlord can see how a property is being looked after. That also gives a chance to see if there are any repair jobs or maintenance issues that need attention. And it gives tenants an opportunity to discuss anything that is bothering them.

·           Tenants letting landlords, or their agents, know if they are planning a holiday and the property is going to be empty. Occasional visits can be made to ensure the property and the tenant’s possessions are safe.

·           By mutual agreement neighbours can have the agent’s or landlord’s phone number so they can get in touch if anything seems wrong, e.g. a burglary, fire, flooding, intruders or unusual behaviour.

·           Along with a tenancy agreement Belvoir provides new occupiers and landlords with a video inventory to record the state of decoration, furnishings and fittings. “An honest, upfront, practice like this creates a precise record of contents and condition that is beyond dispute,” says Delia. “And that can save a lot of arguments later – especially over returning deposits.”

·           Important communications should be done by e-mail or letter - which creates a paper trail of any problem that arises. This gives both tenant and landlord a firm record instead of trying to rely on half-remembered conversations.

Phil Pinkney - Belvoir Andover Co Owner

Past conflicts in rented properties have swung from the serious to the comic.

According to official statistics, two years ago, the numbers of housing tenants growing commercial crops of cannabis was sufficiently large to lead the national Crimestoppers charity trust to publish an eight-page leaflet highlighting the issue.

While another recorded case outlined how a tenant caused irreparable damage to a washing machine at his furnished flat because he put in a house brick to “stonewash” his denim jeans.

“Whether it’s a laughing matter or an indictable criminal offence, the relationship between a tenant and a landlord is at the heart of today’s private rented sector,” says Phil Pinkney, co owner of Belvoir Andover.

“Closer relationships obviously work better for both parties and, thankfully, that’s the way things are moving. The 170 branches throughout our UK network are reporting fewer and fewer cases of serious conflict.

“The current housing crisis has turned the private rented sector into a major home provider with nearly two million landlords renting to some 10 million tenants and for them, working together means making it work.”

If you would like advise on buy to let or renting your property out, please contact Belvoir Andover on 01264 366611 or email us at info@belvoirandover.com