Do I deal with Argyll Letting Services, or the landlord directly?
You will be dealing with either Argyll Letting Services or the landlord depending on the package the landlord has chosen.
In most cases, you will be dealing with one of our Agents during the entire process, from the viewing, to the signing of the Tenancy Agreement
However, if the Landlord has chosen to carry out their own viewings, when you enquire about a property, we will send your details to them. They'll then contact you directly to discuss the property and arrange a viewing.
3. Click the button to "Book a viewing" on the Property Details page.
This will take you to My Area and automatically add the property to your Portfolio giving you the option to select a preferred viewing timeslot.
How do I make an application?
Reference Procedure. If you decide you’d like to rent a property, you will need to complete reference application forms online. We utilise the services of a credit-referencing agency to and may check some or all of the following:
Confirmation of employment and salary
Personal & photographic identification (passport or driving licence)
A Holding Deposit will be required in order to reserve the property and remove it from our availability list. The Holding Deposit will be deducted from the first month’s rent or deposit due.
Should you decide to withdraw from the proposed letting, through no fault of the Landlord or the Agent, all or a proportion of the Holding Deposit will be retained in order to cover any reasonable costs (which will be detailed in full).
The Holding Deposit shows good faith on the part of a prospective tenant enabling the landlord to take further action in the confident knowledge that the applicant is serious and fully committed to the property. This action will include:
Cancel further advertising for the property
Tell other applicants that the property has been let subject to satisfactory references
Prepare a letting agreement
Check references
Carry out credit checks
Tenancy Agreement
Both the Landlord and Tenant/s will be required to sign a Tenancy Agreement prior to the tenancy commencing, the agreement outlines both tenant and landlord obligations.
Tenancy Agreements will be based on the Scottish Government Private Residential Tenancy template (PRT).
We will issue you with a completed the PRT (and the accompanying notes prescribed by the Scottish Government) which we ask you read very carefully before signing the PRT. This is a legal document and you should seek independent legal advice if you have any questions about its content or effect.
Payment
Once a moving date has been agreed and references have all been approved by the Landlord, the Tenancy Agreement will need to be signed by all parties and the initial payments will become due in full less any holding deposit previously paid.
Initial payments will include:
Security Deposit
The first months rent in advance.
The initial payments must be received and cleared before the tenancy will commence. Only payment by means of bank transfer or debit or credit card into our separate client account will be accepted.
Rental Payment
Monthly rent due under the Tenancy Agreement will be paid to either Argyll Letting Services or the landlord directly, depending on whether we have been instructed to fully manage the property.. Payment should be by standing order.
Maintenance and repairs
When a landlord has instructed us to fully manage a property, we will inform you prior to your tenancy commencing. If we are managing your property, any faults with appliances or problems within the property should be reported to us and we will deal with the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Notice to end a tenancy
To terminate your tenancy, you will normally be required to give us at least 28 days’ notice in writing of your intention to leave. You should check your Tenancy Agreement carefully for the address to send this notice to as failure to send it correctly may mean that your tenancy is not properly terminated. Where the Landlord has asked us to fully manage the property (for example, where you have paid your rent to us during the tenancy), you can send this notice to info@argyll-letting.co.uk. If the Landlord has managed the property themselves during your tenant (and you have paid your rent direct to them), the address to send this notice to will be specified in your Tenancy Agreement.
Inventory
A well-prepared inventory protects Landlords and Tenants alike, providing an accurate description of the condition and contents of the property at the start of a tenancy. This will vary depending on whether you are renting a property furnished or unfurnished.
The condition of the property and its contents at the end of the tenancy will be compared back to this inventory in the form of a check-out inspection when you leave.
The inventory will be prepared by us and given to you at the start of your tenancy. You should check it carefully and raise any issues or inaccuracies with us within five working days. After that time we will assume you agree that the inventory is accurate.
Insurance
You should arrange your own insurance for any contents that you bring into the property. Buildings insurance and insurance for any contents that are provided by the Landlord will be arranged by the Landlord or us.
Deposit returns
When your tenancy ends, an inspection of the property will be carried out, either by the Landlord or by us.
We or the Landlord may propose deductions to the Security Deposit for cleaning, damages or unpaid rent and, where these deductions are agreed by you, we will apply to the relevant Deposit Protection Scheme to deduct these funds from your Security Deposit. Any remaining funds will be returned to you by the Scheme after the end of your tenancy.
If you disagree with the proposed deductions, the Deposit Protection Scheme will act as an independent adjudicator, will assess the evidence from both parties and will decide how much of the Security Deposit (if any) can be deducted.
We will always act fairly in this process and will only seek to deduct funds in good faith for genuine costs or damage.
Tenants' obligations
You should read your Tenancy Agreement at the start of your tenancy and make sure you keep a copy easily available should you ever need to check its terms. The Tenancy Agreement will give you certain responsibilities in relation to the property, including making sure that it is kept fully secured and that steps are taken during winter months to prevent freezing of the water and heating system.
Property Inspection
If the Landlord has asked us to manage the property during your tenancy, we will carry out inspection visits, at least twice a year. We will always arrange this with you in advance at a mutually convenient time.
Council Tax & Utilities
t is the Tenant's responsibility to inform the utility companies of their occupation of the property at the beginning of the tenancy, and to pay council tax to the Local Authority. Students, who may be exempt from the payment of council tax, are responsible for informing the Local Authority and confirming any such exemption.
Wherever applicable VAT will be charged at the current VAT rate.
