Tenants

• Rent
• A refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above
• A refundable holding deposit (to reserve a property) capped at no more than 1 week’s rent
• Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
• Payments capped at £50 (or reasonably incurred costs, if higher) for the variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy
• Payments in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence and Council Tax
• A default fee for late payment of rent and replacement of a lost key/security device giving access to the housing, where required under a tenancy agreement

Equivalent to one week’s rent, this will reserve the property for fourteen days to allow the relevant paperwork and referencing (including Right to Rent) for the tenancy to be completed. It will be retained if you withdraw your application or fail the referencing process (which includes providing false/misleading information) or fail to complete the tenancy agreement.

Rents can be advertised weekly or monthly but are usually payable monthly, quarterly, six monthly or yearly in advance. Please note that the rent does not usually include the utilities, i.e. gas, electric, water, council tax, television license, or internet charges. The minimum term for a long-term agreement is six months; in most cases properties are rented on an annual basis. If required a Break Clause and/or option to renew for a further term can be inserted in the contract, subject to negotiation. This is a general condition to have an annual rent increase in line with RPI (between 4% and 8%, these figures may vary) if you are willing to rent a property for longer than one year.

We will ask you to provide the following references:

• Proof of Identity (passport/drivers licences etc...)
• Bank Reference
• Current Employer/Accountant (If Self Employed)
• Education Provider (for students)
• Previous Landlord/UK Character Reference
• Relevant references as above for a Guarantor* (if applicable) — *The Guarantor will need to be UK based, and should be able to guarantee payment of the rent and any other liabilities under the Tenancy.

In most cases we would ask you to fill in a reference form from an independent referencing company who will be contacting your provided referees for necessary proof.

It is common practice for a Landlord, or their Agent, to take a Holding Deposit from a Tenant ( a refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is less than £50,000, or 6 weeks’ rent where the total annual rent is £50,000 or above) as a safeguard should problems occur during the tenancy and if you breach the terms of your contract e.g. failure to pay rent or if you cause damage to the property.

Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the Landlord/Agent will lodge your deposit in an authorised Deposit Protection Scheme. This legislation was introduced to help ensure that tenants are able to recover their deposit at the end of their tenancy less any amount that the Landlord, or their Agent, can prove a legal entitlement to withhold. In addition, the Landlord/Agent must provide you with details of the authorised scheme under which the deposit is protected and what to do if there is a dispute.

You should keep a signed copy of the Deposit Protection Certificate safely with your copy of the Tenancy Agreement and other documents relating to your tenancy. You will need them if a dispute arises at the end of the tenancy.

Black Sea International will provide tenancy agreement which will need to be signed prior to the start of the tenancy. Please note that this is a legal agreement between yourself and the Landlord, we would recommend that you thoroughly familiarise yourself with the terms of your Tenancy Agreement before signing it. If necessary take legal advice. You will also be provided with a Statement of Account, which is an invoice detailing the initial monies due to be paid in cleared funds prior to your move in. Please note that keys will not be released until the fees are paid in full.

Black Sea International will endeavour to make your move smooth and hassle free.

Prior to your move in, the Landlord or Landlord's Agent will arrange for an inventory and the professional cleaning of the property. An inventory of the contents and condition of the property will be prepared by an independent inventory clerk. The cost of the inventory along with professional pre-tenancy cleaning is generally covered by the Landlord.

Please note that the property will need to be returned to its original condition as taken. Therefore, professional end-of-tenancy clean and inventory checkout will have to be arranged at the end of the tenancy. Usually, the tenants are responsible for these costs, in some cases these can be deducted from your Holding Deposit.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 stipulate that all gas appliances must be inspected annually by a Gas Safe Register — registered engineer. A valid Gas Safety Record must be issued each time and updated every twelve months and a copy will be provided to you by your Landlord or Landlord's gent within 28 days of the certificate being carried out.

An EPC is a legal requirement for any new tenancies that details the energy performance of a property. From 1st October 2008 the law requires for a prospective Tenant to be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). It is carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor to ensure it meets all legal requirements and is valid for 10 years.

The gas, electricity and water services as well as the telephone line are required to be transferred into your name at the commencement of the tenancy. To do so you should contact the service provider.

The Tenant is responsible for paying the TV licence fee in respect of the use of any television set(s) in the premises during the tenancy.

The local council tax authority is advised at the commencement of your tenancy. Paying Council Tax is your responsibility.

If Black Sea International is the Managing Agent for the property you are renting, we will provide you with a contact list of local services in case of emergencies relating to your property. For anything else you can contact us directly. We will try to resolve any issues as soon as and as efficiently as possible. If the property is being managed by the Landlord or another managing agent you will be promptly provided with their contact details.