Frequently asked questions and answers
How do you manage things from
I am committed to my job. Most importantly I have a great team of plumber, electrician, builder and handyman. Two have worked with me for sixteen years! My current tenants are familiar with our efforts and as usual several are in groups holding over for a second year … which in itself is I hope is a good recommendation.
If you rent a house from me you will be able to put a face to my name and receive a prompt response to your enquiries rather than be limited to contact between 9 am 'til 5 pm on Monday to Friday. As I manage only 4 houses your names will mean more to me than merely a reference number amongst many 10's or 100's of others!
Do you let your houses on a first come first served basis?
No. I have set my rents competitively for good quality houses in the best locations. This is because I like to attract a choice of tenants. I am looking for polite and well organized tenants who I believe will be considerate and take care of my houses. If I book your group for a viewing you will probably stand at least a 1 in 3 chance of being offered the house of your choice. I shall not choose another group of tenants before I meet you. If you have read through this website and are well briefed I shall be sure to notice and so your chance of being offered the house of your choice will increase.
Do you charge a reduced rent during the summer holidays?
No. My rents vary from £3484 to £3796 per person per annum. Tenants pay in equal instalments monthly in advance by standing order. This is convenient for all concerned. It would be time wasted for me to monitor variable payments throughout the year - and for you and I to need to chase up group members who may have disappeared abroad on holiday for the summer months!
|
N.B. I suggest you calculate the total rent payable per annum for each house you are offered. Then you can compare them on a like for like basis and consider the good and bad points associated with each i.e. location, condition etc. Often students assume that the term "vacation rent retainer" implies a discounted rent. Calculating the sums can present an entirely different picture!!! |
If we sign up when can we move in?
I welcome
student tenants who wish to live in my houses during the summer holidays. There
is no extra rent charge for them to do so … as there often is when
tenants pay more for less with a vacation rent retainer. Most of my Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements are arranged to coincide with
the end of the summer term so students leaving the UKC campus can move
themselves and their possessions in.
The
requirement for maintenance works needs to be considered each year ...
otherwise my houses would not look like as they do! Not all jobs are evident
until "old" tenants move out. I discuss plans which are known and
current at viewings and record major works we agree as an appendix to the AST
Agreement. When these works are carried out it is best for all concerned that
no students are living in. When only minor repairs are necessary students may
live in.
Can we sub-let your house?
No. I choose tenants of my liking to live in my houses just as you rent a house of your choice. Together WE enter into an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. A sub-tenant would be a third party who is not of my choice and may not be acceptable to all members of your group. This person would not be committed to abide by the terms of our Agreement for which you are (all) responsible. As this creates potential for a host of difficulties it is best avoided.
Can we check you out with your current tenants?
Usually you will bump into some of my current tenants at viewings. I am entirely happy for you to ask them any questions about me and their experiences as my tenants. If none are around feel free to ask me for their contact details.
Do you provide Broadband?
Internet service providers usually provide wireless routers for free but if this is not the case I shall do so.
Suppose we want to stay on for a second year?
I always let on a year by year basis. Several tenants hold over for a second year and some for a third. If my tenants prove to be considerate and responsible (as most do) I am pleased to offer them first refusal to hold over or regroup for their current house or any other of my houses that may be available.
What happens if we sign up and then someone in our group wants
to pull out of the Agreement?
Remember
… renting a house is serious stuff and nobody wants to run into problems
so be as sure of the commitment of your group members as you can be. This is
why I look for tenants who appear well organized and show a genuine interest in
what is going on before I am prepared to sign an Assured Tenancy
Agreement.
In this
situation as tenants you would (all) be jointly liable for the terms of our
Agreement, including the payment of rent. If for any reason one member was to drop
out during the course of the Tenancy the full rent for the house would still be
due. The tenant dropping out would be responsible for paying the rent until an
acceptable (to us all) replacement was agreed and installed. If the rent could
not be recovered from the member dropping out, through requests by the Landlord
or a Court of Law, the remaining tenants would be responsible for paying the rent
until a replacement tenant was found. It is likely there would be an
administration fee of up to £100 for the work involved in checking and signing
up the replacement. For specific legal reasons (re notices I must serve prior
to the termination of our Agreement) it is not possible to install a substitute
tenant if less than 6 months of the term (length) of the Agreement is left to
run.
Go to:
Holmlea, Mandeville Road, Canterbury
90 Tenterden Drive, Canterbury
About me/Property management and maintenance
Contact me:
To get the promptest response
to your enquiry please use my mobile phone number 07976 239998.
Electronic mail address
olivia@avoncroft-farm.fsnet.co.uk
Web address
http://www.ukcstudenthouses.co.uk
Office phone
01425
672447 / (
Home phone
01425
672447