• A SURE Guide To Renting

    Set your Budget

    When working out your budget, take into account the additional costs when renting. Usually, the landlord covers the cost of most repairs and maintenance at the property. The tenant is responsible for the cost of all utilities (gas, electricity, water, telephone and broadband) , the Council Tax and the Television Licence. The landlord will be responsible for ensuring the property, but it is important to know that your belongings will not be covered by the landlord’s insurance, so you will need to arrange your own cover for this. It is also a good idea to take out cover for any accidental damage to the landlord’s contents, for which you are responsible.

    Start your Search

    Most landlords are looking for tenants who can move in between 2 and 4 weeks, so this is generally the best time to start looking. Use our property alerts to keep up to date on all new lettings property by register your requirements online. Alternatively, telephone or pop in to see us discuss your requirements in more detail.

    We will start looking for a property for you straight away and arrange for you to view the properties that are of interest to you.

    Decide on your requirements

    Think about the type and size of property you are looking for, how many bedrooms you need, whether or not you need any outside space or additional storage; a garage for example. Do you need a furnished or unfurnished property? Consider transport links, distance and route to work and what nearby facilities are important to you.

    Register with us/start your search

    In order for us to help you find your ideal property to rent in Hemel Hempstead, you’ll need to register with us as a prospective tenant. We’ll chat with you about when you want to move into a new home and what you’re looking for, then put together some suitable options that match your requirements.

    Application to Rent

    Once you have seen a property you like, we will put your interest forward to the landlord. We will at this stage find out a little more about you, your circumstances and your requirements.

    Let Agreed

    Once the terms have been agreed, we will start the referencing process. There will be a holding deposit to pay at this stage and fees for the referencing. See Fees & Terms.

    Each adult will need to complete a credit search application, provide copies of their last three months’ bank statements and provide further information, including details of their current/recent employment and current landlord/letting agent (where applicable).

    We will need to see photo identification (current passport or driving licence) and proof of address for each adult and we will also need to see and check Visa’s if required.

    If a Guarantor is required for your tenancy, then the same information and referencing requirements will apply.

    Tenancy Agreements

    Once your referencing application is complete, we will arrange for the Tenancy Agreement to be signed. This document confirms the terms of the tenancy; eg the minimum term, rent, landlords and tenant’s obligations and any specifics that have been agreed for your tenancy.

    Move-In

    Before you move in, you will need to pay your final monies. On the move-in day, you will pick up the keys for your new home from our office and will have to sign a next of kin forms.

    During the Tenancy

    We will provide you with the details of where to pay your rent and who to contact should you have any queries or maintenance issues while you are at the property. Your Security Deposit will usually be held by Sure Sales & Lettings and this will be registered with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

  • What are your Letting Fees?

    Tenant Fees & Charges (for tenancies signed after 1st June 2019)

    Prior to Tenancy

    • Holding Deposit:  Equivalent to 1 weeks rent
    • Deposit: Equivalent to 5 weeks rent for rent under £50,000 or 6 weeks for rents £50,000 and above
    • 1st months rent:  1st month’s rent (less holding deposit previously paid)

    During Tenancy (if applicable)

    • Changes to tenancy agreement (ie request for pets, change of occupier etc):  £60 inc vat
    • Replacement for lost keys/security device:  Reasonable cost of replacement
    • Early release from tenancy:  If agreed by landlord, remainder of rent until end of tenancy or new tenant moved in plus re-letting costs
    • Arrears:  3% above Bank of England base rate interest for arrears over 14 days
    • Utility payments:  Where written in tenancy agreement for utilities, TV licence, council tax, communication service etc.
    • Pets:  Pets may be considered on a tenancy at an increased rent, detailed on advertising.

    Landlord Fees

    Tenant Find (Let Only):

    Agency Fee – 114% of First Months Rent Inclusive of VAT
    Set Up Fee –  £358.80 Inc Vat

    • We provide a detailed property appraisal & valuation, including accurate description & photographs
    • We market the property using local newspapers, Sure Lettings office windows, all popular property websites & portals, major local employer Intranet sites and weekly active tenant enquiry emails
    • We conduct accompanied viewings and provide regular Landlord feedback
    • We carry out detailed referencing, identity & credit checks and arrange the Tenancy Agreements
    • The Landlord is responsible for property issues, rent collection and inventory / final inspection
    • Arranging and conducting the move in for your new tenants
    • Producing all required legal paperwork for move in
    • Transfer of all utilities

    Rent Collection:

    Agency Fee -13.8% of Monthly Rent Inc VAT
    Set Up Fee –  £358.80 Inc VAT

    • As Tenant Find Service, but includes rent collection and the handling of most tenant financial & legal issues
    • Initial inventory & final inspection arranged with our partnered professional inventory clerks at an additional cost
    • The Landlord is responsible for all property issues
    • Arranging and conducting the move in for your new tenants
    • Producing all required legal paperwork for move in
    • Transfer of all utilities

    Fully Managed:

    Agency Fee -15% of Monthly Rent Inc VAT
    Set Up Fee –  £358.80 Inc VAT

    • As Tenancy Managed, but including management of all property maintenance issues.
    • Periodic property inspections with detailed report
    • Initial inventory & final inspection arranged with our partnered professional inventory clerks at an additional cost
    • Tenant has access to our dedicated Property Management Centre, who co-ordinate all property & maintenance issues on behalf of the Landlord
    • Landlords can opt to make their own repairs or use our approved contractors at competitive rates
    • Arranging and conducting the move in for your new tenants
    • Producing all required legal paperwork for move in
    • Transfer of all utilities
    • Deposit registration within a recognised government scheme

    Optional Additional Landlord Services

    • Gas Safety Inspection – £110+VAT (Valid 1 year)
    • Gas Safety Inspection + Boiler Service – £160+VAT (Valid 1 year)
    • Energy Performance Certificate – £110+VAT (Valid 10 years)
    • Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – From £180+VAT (Valid 5 years)
    • Portable Appliance Testing – From £90+VAT (Valid 1 year)
    • Inventory – From £170+VAT
    • Deposit Registration – £50+VAT
    • Final Checkout – £144+VAT
    • Legionella Risk Assessment – £90+VAT
    • Smoke Alarm Fitting – £60+VAT
    • Renewal of Contract – £200+VAT
    • Verify Fee of £15 + VAT

    All fees quoted are inclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate and are correct as of January 2019.

  • Making a Complaint

    We are committed to providing a professional service to all our clients and customers.  When something goes wrong, we need you to tell us about it.  This will help us to improve our standards.

    If you have a complaint, please put it in writing, including as much detail as possible.  We will then respond in line with the timeframes set out below (if you feel we have not sought to address your complaints within eight weeks, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Property Ombudsman to consider without our final viewpoint on the matter).

    What will happen next?

    • We will send you a letter acknowledging receipt of you complaint within three working days of receiving it, enclosing a copy of this procedure.
    • We will then investigate your complaint. This will normally be dealt with by the office manager who will review your file and speak to the member of staff who dealt with you.  A formal written outcome of our investigation will be sent to you within 15 working days of sending the acknowledgement letter.
    • If, at this stage, you are still not satisfied, you should contact us again and we will arrange for a separate review to take place by a senior member of staff.
    • We will write to you within 15 working days of receiving your request for a review, confirming our final viewpoint on the matter.

    The Property Ombudsman
    Unit 159756
    PO Box 7169
    Poole
    BH15 9EL

    You can visit the Property Ombudsman here: https://www.tpos.co.uk/

    Please note:

    1. You will need to submit your complaint to The Property Ombudsman within 12 months of receiving our final viewpoint letter, including any evidence to support your case.
    2. The Property Ombudsman requires that all complaints are addressed through this in-house complaints procedure, before being submitted for an independent review.
    3. The Property Ombudsman cannot deal with issues between a landlord and tenant, including deposit disputes.  They will also only deal with any complaints that have been through the above process.