Renting and Property Management in Gloucester and Tewkesbury
We care about our tenants
We’re committed to ensuring our tenants have a great experience when renting through Michael Tuck Lettings in Gloucester and Tewkesbury, not least because we hope in the future you may choose to rent again or even buy a property with us.
Most of our landlords opt to use our Full Management service which means as a tenant you can be sure our staff will try their best to help should you need any help whilst living in your new home.
Properties currently available to rent in Gloucester
Our LOCAL offices in Gloucester and Tewkesbury often have a good selection of properties available and if you see anything of interest advertised be sure to call us straight away or pop into our office for a chat to avoid disappointment.
Please see below the process for renting a property with Michael Tuck Lettings.
Virtual Viewing
Before you arrange a viewing, we will ask you to view the virtual 360° tour on the property listing on our website.
If you have any questions or would like view in person, then please contact your local Michael Tuck office and we will arrange a suitable time with you.
Physical viewing
The rental market moves very quickly so if the property is of interest then you will need to act quickly to secure it.
Arrange an accompanied viewing at your earliest convenience with one of our fully trained Letting Agents to ensure it is the right property for you.
Feel free to use our guide for viewing property and our handy viewing checklist.
Application form
We will discuss your requirements and ask you to complete an application form. This provides the information needed to assess your application fairly, carry out referencing and present your application to the landlord.
ID checks
Before a tenancy can begin, we must confirm the identity and Right to Rent status of every adult who will occupy the property.
Depending on your circumstances, this may be completed using original identity documents, a government share code or an approved digital identity-checking service. We will explain which documents or information you need to provide when you apply.
These checks are carried out in accordance with current government guidance, and copies of the required evidence will be retained securely.
Authority to proceed from Landlord
Once we have all of this information we will contact the Landlord and obtain their authority to proceed with the Tenancy Application.
Holding deposit
We may ask you to pay a refundable holding deposit of no more than one week’s rent to reserve the property while the necessary checks are completed.
The holding deposit will normally be refunded or, with your agreement, used towards your first month’s rent or tenancy deposit.
A holding deposit may be retained where an applicant:
- Provides false or misleading information that materially affects their suitability
- Does not have the required Right to Rent
- Decides not to proceed with the tenancy
- Fails to take reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy within the agreed timescale
If a holding deposit is retained, we will explain the reason in writing within the required timeframe.
Submit Application to Referencing Agency
Our referencing provider will contact you and ask for information needed to assess your application. This may include:
- Your address history
- Details of previous landlords
- Evidence of employment, earnings, benefits, pension income or other lawful income
- A credit-history check
- An accountant’s reference or tax documents if you are self-employed
- Guarantor information where required
Applications are considered individually using fair and consistent criteria. You will not be disadvantaged simply because you receive benefits or have children.
Final result and agree move in date
Congratulations, you have passed your References!
We will be in touch to organise the final steps before you are able to move in.
Tenancy Agreement and Inventory
Once your application has been approved, we will provide you with an assured periodic tenancy agreement. This is a legally binding agreement setting out the rent, payment arrangements and the rights and responsibilities of both you and your landlord.
Assured periodic tenancies operate on a rolling basis and do not have a fixed contractual end date. Before the tenancy is agreed, you will receive the written information required by current legislation.
The inventory is a detailed list of the property contents and condition at the point that you move into it. We will send you a link to the inventory and it is important that you check, amend, and agree to it to reduce the risk of disputes when you move out. This provides an agreed record against which the property’s condition can be assessed at the end of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Pay first month’s rent, security deposit (less holding fee)
You will not be asked to pay rent before the tenancy agreement has been signed.
Once the agreement has been signed, we will ask you to pay the first month’s rent and any remaining tenancy deposit. The amount of rent requested before the tenancy begins will not normally exceed one month’s rent.
Where agreed, your holding deposit may be put towards your first month’s rent or tenancy deposit. Once the required payments and pre-tenancy checks have been completed, the property will be secured for your agreed move-in date.
Move In
On the agreed move in date we will release the keys and you will be able to move into your new home at your leisure. You can check out our Tenants’ Information page here.
Feel free to read our five tips for moving house and use our handy moving house checklist.
Insurance
You may wish to arrange insurance for your personal belongings and accidental damage to the landlord’s property. This is optional, and you are free to choose any suitable insurance provider.
What information will the agent provide to you?
Before your tenancy begins, we will provide you with your tenancy agreement and the written information required by current legislation.
Where applicable, you will also receive:
- The property’s Energy Performance Certificate
- A valid Gas Safety Record
- The Electrical Installation Condition Report
- Tenancy deposit protection information
- Information about reporting repairs and contacting your property manager
Copies will be provided directly to you and may also be made available through your secure online account. All of these documents will be accessible by using your secure log in on the Michael Tuck Website.
Future rent payments will be made monthly and paid by Standing Order. We will provide you with all the forms to complete or our bank details so you can set this up in time for the next rent due date.
Council Tax, water, gas, electric and TV license
From the day you move in until the day you move out you must ensure that your name is on the bills and all are paid on time.
We will provide you with the name and contact details of the utility companies so you are able to inform them of your details.
Reporting maintenance
Our local offices are on hand Monday to Friday and “on call” over weekends to help with any everyday issues that you may have.
Further information can be found on our Tenants Information Sheet.
-
Can my landlord ask me to leave?
Your landlord cannot use a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction. They must have a valid legal ground for possession, serve the correct notice and, if you do not leave, obtain a court order. Grounds can include selling the property, the landlord or a close family member moving in, serious rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or another breach of the tenancy.
-
How much notice must I give when I want to leave?
You will normally need to give two months’ notice in writing, timed to expire on a rent-payment day or the day before. You and your landlord can agree in writing to a shorter notice period.
-
How often can my rent be increased?
Your rent can generally be increased only once in any 12-month period and cannot normally be increased during the first year of a new tenancy. Your landlord must use the prescribed Form 4A and give you at least two months’ notice. You may challenge an increase that is above the open-market rent.
-
Can I ask to keep a pet?
Yes. You can ask your landlord for permission to keep a pet, and your request must be considered individually. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse permission but may decline where there is a valid reason, such as a restriction within a superior lease or the property being unsuitable for the proposed animal.
-
Can I apply if I receive benefits or have children?
Yes. Landlords and letting agents must not disadvantage an applicant simply because they receive benefits or have children. Your application can still be assessed using fair and consistent criteria such as affordability, references, credit history and Right to Rent requirements.
-
Can I offer more than the advertised rent?
No. Rental properties must be advertised at a specific asking rent. Landlords and letting agents must not encourage or accept offers above the advertised amount.
-
How much rent can I be asked to pay in advance?
You cannot be asked to pay rent before the tenancy agreement has been signed. After signing, you can normally be asked to pay no more than one month’s rent before the tenancy begins.
-
Can I lose my holding deposit?
A holding deposit may be retained if you provide false or misleading information, fail a Right to Rent check, decide not to proceed or do not take reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy within the agreed timescale. If it is retained, you will be given the reason in writing.
-
How much is the holding deposit?
A holding deposit can be no more than one week’s rent. It reserves the property while referencing and other pre-tenancy checks are completed. It will normally be refunded or, with your agreement, put towards your first month’s rent or tenancy deposit.
-
What type of tenancy agreement will I have?
Most new private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies. They run on a rolling basis—usually monthly—and do not have a fixed end date. The tenancy continues until you give the required notice or the landlord obtains possession using an appropriate legal ground.
-
Do existing tenancy agreements need to be replaced?
Existing written tenancy agreements did not automatically need to be replaced when the Renters’ Rights Act came into force. However, most existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and the new legal rules apply regardless of the wording in the original agreement. Landlords must ensure that tenants have received all required government information.
-
How much notice must a tenant give to leave?
A tenant can normally end an assured periodic tenancy by giving no more than two months’ notice. A shorter notice period may be included in the tenancy agreement or subsequently agreed in writing between the landlord and tenant.
-
What is the minimum term of a tenancy agreement?
Most new private tenancies are now assured periodic tenancies and therefore do not have a fixed minimum term or contractual end date. The tenancy continues until the tenant gives the required notice or the landlord obtains possession using an appropriate legal ground. A tenant’s notice period cannot normally exceed two months.
-
What do I do if my property needs maintenance?
Our local offices are on hand Monday to Friday and “on call” over weekends to help with any everyday issues that you may have.
