Information for tenants
What Do we do for YOU?
George Webb Finn offer a professional letting service with a large selection of quality properties to rent throughout Swale, Medway and the Maidstone areas.
Whether you are a young professional or a family looking for a property to rent, George Webb Finn has the right rental property for you, with properties ranging from studio apartments to large detached family homes.
Here at George Webb Finn we pride ourselves on good customer service. We like to be honest and up front with our tenants regarding all the costs involved with renting a property and endeavour to make the moving process easy and stress free.
What we offer our applicants and tenants that move-in into to our managed and let only properties:
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Managed
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Let Only
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| Accompanying viewings |
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| E-mail updates of new properties |
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| Floor plans available |
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| Credit & reference Check |
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| Detailed independant inventories |
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| Provide copy EPC |
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| Provide copy Portable appliance certificate |
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| Provide copy Gas Certificate |
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| Setting up of Direct Debit/Standing order mandate |
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| Contact all utilities providers with meter readings |
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| Register deposit |
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| Dedicated In-house maintenance team |
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| Routine visits after move-in |
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| Free landlords reference |
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| Out of hours emergency contacts |
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Step 1 – Booking in a Viewing and Searching our Website
Let us help you find your ideal home. Search for properties within your budget using the search facility on the right hand side of this page or view all available properties.
We have new properties available to rent daily; follow us on Twitter and Facebook or register to receive regular information about new properties that may be of interest to you via email and text messaging.
To book in a viewing you can use any of the following methods:
Phone 01795 470556
Email info@georgewebbfinn.com
Location 43 Park Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1DY
If you are new to the area or unsure of which properties may be suitable for you we are more than happy to discuss your requirements over the phone or in the office and we can recommend which properties would be best for you to see.
We carry out viewings 6 days a week!
| Day | Office Hours | Telephone Hours | Viewing Hours |
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| Monday - Friday | 9.00 - 5.00 | 9.00 - 5.00 | 8.30 - 6.00 |
| Saturday | Closed | Closed | 10.00 - 1.00 |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
We can carry out multiple viewings if more than one property takes your fancy and we can drive you from viewing to viewing in our company car. We can also meet you at our office or at the property, whichever is most convenient for you!
Step 2 – The Offer
So you found the house of your dreams and want to move-in - what happens now?
You will need to complete an innitial application form in order so that we have all your details (including contact details, job title, proposed start date and length of initial tenancy). We will then contact the Landlord to inform them that you wish to rent the property and go through the details.
Occasionally Let Only landlords may wish to meet prospective tenants before the let is confirmed. This is just a casual meeting at the property to allow both parties to meet each other as Let Only Landlords manage their own properties once the tenancies starts.
Once the let has been agreed we will then require a holding deposit from you.
Holding Deposit* = equivelent of one week's rent
*The holding deposit is non-refundable if you chose to pull out of the let before you move-in, however, if the let proceeds as normal then the holding deposit is deducted later from the balance of move-in monies due (see Step 4).
You can pay the holding deposit fee via cash, cheque or bank transfer (in-branch or online).
Once we have received your payment we will take the property off the market and commence your references.
N.B. All lets are agreed subject to references.
Step 3 – Credit & Reference Check
From taking your Holding Fee both Landlord and Tenant have 15 days to enter into the Agreement, it is the tenants responsibility to ensure that we are able to complete pre-tenancy checks promptly by supplying the information required when requested to do so.
We use a external specialist referencing agents to carry out credit and reference checks on our behalf. We will register you with our referencing agent and they will send you a tenancy application via e-mail for you to complete online.
The referencing agent will ask all applicants for the following:
- Employment details
- Landlord details
- Bank details
- Personal reference
- Proof of Address
- Passport
Overseas Applicants that have lived in the UK for the last 3 years will need to provide the following in addition:
- Overseas Proof of Address
- Visa/Workers Registration Documents
- Character Reference
- Copy of Employment Contract
Self Employed applicants will be asked to provide the following in addition:
- Proof of Income
- Accountant Reference
We strongly advise tenants to complete the tenancy application as soon as they receive it to avoid any delays to the Deadline for Agreement. This is particularly important for tenants who wish to move-in within a short period of the let being agreed as we require seven working days to complete the application once it has been submitted.
Communication is key - if you feel worried or concerned about something that you may feel might cause you to fail your references then we ask that you tell us at the beginning of the process so that we can advise you accordingly. It may be nothing to worry about or we may ask you for additional documentation. If you provide misleading information resulting in your referencing being declined you may loose your holding deposit
STEP 4 - SIGNING THE AGREEMENT
From taking a Holding Deposit, the tenancy Agreement must be entered into (signed by both parties and dated) within 15 calendar days (an extension is allowed with the written consent of all parties). The tenancy does not necessarily commence within 15 days, however it is the tenants responsibility to ensure that the Agent is able to complete pre-tenancy checks promptly by supplying the information required when requested to do so.
The Agreements will be sent to you for electronic signature when satisfactory references have been received and the Right to Rent checks completed.
Step 4 – Move-in Monies
Move-in monies are what we call the money required before you can move-in. You will be sent an invoice for the sum of the following in advance of the move-in day.
- Deposit - equivelent of 5 week's rent
- First months rent
We require cleared funds by the day of move-in, we suggest making payment 48 hours in advance via bank transfer, we do not accept cash above £2000.00 or personal cheques at any time.
Deposit:
The deposit for all Assured Shorthold tenancies is capped at the equivelent of 5 week's rent.
For all our properties we will register the deposit with The Dispute Service (TDS). All deposits held in connection with an AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy) must be registered with a deposit protection scheme within 30 days of the tenancy start date.
First Months Rent
Your first months rent is required in advance. We will ask you to set up a Standing Order for you to pay the rent thereafter whether this is to us or directly to your landlord. Your rent is due by the rent due date and we ask that payment is set up 2 days prior to this to ensure your rent is received on time.
Step 5 – Move-in Day!
So you've passed references, paid your move-in monies, packed and ready to move-in – very exciting!
We like to allow an hour for the move in appointment (although this can vary slightly depending on the size of the property) and it involves the following:
- Providing you with full detailed inventory, including meter readings for you to check
- Providing you with Prescribed Information including copies of the Energy Performance Certificate, How to Rent Guide in England & Wales, Landlords Gas Safety Certificate, Prescribed Information and TDS Ltd Tenancy Deposit Protection Certificate.
- Key handover (you will receive at least one set per tenant)
Step 6 – After Care
The keys are yours and although we would love to stay and help with the unpacking we will leave you with that fun task!
After the move-in appointment we will inform all of your utility providers that you are the new occupiers and give them the start meter readings. The majority of utility companies will send out a welcome letter within 14 working days however some may not contact you until the first bill is due which, if it is set up to be paid every quarter, may not be for a month or two. If you are unsure or worried that you have not heard anything from your supplier then we would advise that you call the relevant provider directly.
We will register your deposit within 14 days of your start date and send you the Deposit Registration Certificate via post.
Maintenance issue during your tenancy
For all our managed properties we will be your first port of call for any maintenance concerns. We have 4 full-time members of staff who work in our lettings department and they liaise with Landlords and contractors in order to address and resolve any maintenance that you may have during your tenancy. Our lettings team can be contacted via telephone on 01795 470556 or email: repairs@georgewebbfinn.com
If you have moved into a Let Only property then you will need to contact your Landlord directly to inform him/her of any maintenance issues. You will receive your landlords full contact details on the day of move in.
Tenancy Renewals
We hope that you enjoy living in your new property so much that you wish to renew your contract. If you wish to renew your contract we will need to be informed in writing and we will contact you 2 months before the end of your contract to discuss your future plans. Your contract can be renewed on a periodic basis (i.e. month by month) or for another 6, 12 or in some cases 24 months. Please note that some landlords may prefer a fixed term over a periodic tenancy. All renewals are subject to the landlord's agreement.
No charge is made to the Tenant for the preparation of the new Tenancy Agreement.
Step 7 – Leaving Your Property
There will be a time when you may wish to move on. You will be required to serve notice to us, which must be in writing, an email will suffice. We normally start to remarket the property, but will always give you 24 hours notice for viewings.
Once you have served us notice, we will send you a detailed letter as to the check out process and offer you detailed cleaning advice. You will be required to meet with one of our property managers or an independent inventory clerk on the final day of your tenancy who will then undertake a thorough check out inspection of the property and collect all sets of keys from you. Our representative will also undertake the final meter readings on your behalf and we will contact the utility companies and local authority to inform them of the change in occupier.
There is no charge to the tenant (for tenancies entered into after 1st June 2019 for conducting the checkout inspection and notifying the utility companies.
With regards to the deposit return, we aim to send this back to you via Cheque or BACS within 14 working days of your final day of tenancy where there is no dispute. If the landlord proposes any deductions we will try to negotaite between both parties, however if agreement cannot be made the amount in dispute will be forwarded to TDS Ltd for adjudication.
We have many tenants who have become landlords themselves, should this happen to you, please do feel free to contact us, as we will be more than happy to assist you in finding tenants for your own property.
