Welcome to our Tenant FAQ section, designed to address common queries and provide valuable insights for tenants.

How do I search for available properties?

Browse our online listings and social media platforms for current available properties. You can filter by location, size, and budget to find a home that suits your needs. We also recommend you register with us to receive updates on new properties coming on to the market.

What costs should I consider?

It is sensible to be clear on all of your outgoings before you start your search to help you work out a budget for your rental property.

Examples include:

• rent
• council tax – sometimes included in the rent
• utilities - gas, electricity and water – sometimes included in the rent
• telephone and broadband
• TV licence
• contents insurance – you will be responsible for arranging contents insurance for your own possessions. The landlord covers the building and their own contents.

This list is not exhaustive, and you should consider what other personal monthly outgoings you have in order to establish what you can afford.

What is the application process like?

The application process is very simple. You submit an online application online and, once approved by the landlord, we conduct background checks including:

• credit check
• landlord/agent reference, if you are currently renting
• written employment reference
• written accountant reference or recent accounts, if you are self-employed
• proof of pension and/or savings.

An open banking check is also an option to verify income and can be used for ease and speed.

Will I need a Guarantor?

A landlord may require a guarantor if a tenant’s income is lower than required. Guarantors will need to earn sufficient to cover their own financial commitments as well as your rent. Please contact us if you think this might apply to you and we can provide you with more information.

What will I need to pay to move into a property?

Once your application has been accepted by the landlord, you will be asked to pay a holding deposit to reserve the property while your references are carried out. This will be equivalent to one week’s rent for the property you are applying for.

Rent is normally paid monthly in advance so you will need to pay the balance of your first month’s rent and deposit in advance of the tenancy commencing. We will need confirmation of cleared funds before keys are released

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes. The deposit collected will be equivalent to five weeks’ rent. The deposit is refundable at the end of the tenancy subject to the rent being paid and the property being returned in good condition.

There are deposit-free options available for some properties. Please contact us if you would like further information on this scheme.

What is Right to Rent?

Landlords in England must check that anyone aged 18 or over has the Right to Rent before the start date of the tenancy agreement. Further information on how to prove your Right to Rent to a landlord can be found at Prove your right to rent in England: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What is an inventory?

Prior to moving into the property you will be issued with an inventory and schedule of condition. This document will list all the items at the property together with a comment on their condition and will be supported by time and date-stamped photos. You should check it thoroughly as it will be referred back to when you vacate and will be used to determine whether any deductions should be made from your deposit.

How are maintenance issues handled?

We operate an online maintenance and reporting system allowing you the convenience of being able to report repairs at any time of the day or night and enabling us to deal with issues promptly and efficiently for you.

We understand that emergencies can happen at any time and so we also operate an out-of-hours emergency service to provide you with swift assistance outside of normal office hours. For urgent or emergency repairs that require immediate attention, please contact us by phone without delay.

What is an inspection?

Routine inspections will be carried out during your tenancy to ensure the property is being looked after and to check if there are any maintenance or health and safety issues.

Can I renew my tenancy agreement?

As your tenancy approaches its end date, we will guide you through the process, making it easy to extend your stay in your current property (subject to timely rent payments and satisfactory inspections) or explore other options that may better suit your evolving needs.

It is standard practice for rents to be reviewed every 12 months, so it is worth bearing this in mind when you are budgeting for a rental property and as your renewal approaches.

Why choose Evolve?

We pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to our tenants. We aim to:

• provide a simple, smooth service to all our customers focusing on the highest levels of personal customer service throughout the letting journey
• ensure the comfort and safety of our customers during their tenancy, we will address maintenance issues promptly and provide clear communication
• create positive, long-term partnerships by caring about our customers and ensuring they enjoy dealing with us.