Having decided to rent a property,  the first step is to return the application  and  guarantor form.

In addition to this, a photocopy of your passport is needed. The right to rent law requires us to see your actual passport and retain a copy during your tenancy. Alternate proof of right to rent documentation can be found in the right to rent leaflet available on the government leaflet page

Once these forms have been returned, A holding deposit will be required. This will become part of the  deposit when the contract is signed. Its purpose is to reserve the property and will only be returned in exceptional circumstances.

At the start of the tenancy, the holding deposit is "topped up" to make a deposit equal to one month’s rent. This is used in the event of any breakage or damage caused to the property. If all is well at the end of the tenancy this deposit is returned within two weeks.

In accordance with the Housing Act 2004, landlords  must select either an insured based or custodial based scheme in which to hold a tenant’s deposit. A statutory certificate is then supplied to the tenant advising on which approved scheme protects the deposit. This must be done within 30 days of the tenancy start date.