Tenant Fees

What fees will I be charged if I rent a property with Heather & Lay?

When you have agreed on the property of your choice, you will be provided with an initial offer form, this can also be downloaded from our website. The offer form and tenant’s terms and conditions acceptance form must be completed and signed by you and returned to us, we will then use this key information to submit you interest to the landlord. It is not a referencing application form – formal application will be made available to you online and a link will be emailed to you. It is essential you respond to the link swiftly, as any delay may damage your application.

Below is a list of our 2017 fee scales which helps explain any fee which is due before you sign your tenancy agreement and any fees which may become payable during and after your tenancy. Heather & Lay are members of the Property Redress Scheme and NALS (National Approved Letting Scheme) Client Money Protection Scheme. This list below is a guide only, as fees can vary depending on the size of the property. Please ask a member of our letting staff if you need further information.

Fees prior to Moving In

	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Administration Fee for 1 Applicant	£ 104.17	£ 125.00
Administration Fee for 2 Applicants	£ 204.17	£ 245.00
Administration Fee for Company	£ 145.83	£ 175.00
Administration Fee for Additional Person after 2 Applicants (per applicant)	£ 79.17	£ 95.00
Administration Fee for Students (per student & their guarantor)	£ 166.67	£ 200.00
Guarantor’s referencing if applicable (per guarantor)	£ 70.83	£ 85.00

What other fees may be payable before I can move into the property of my choice?

Additional Person

This covers the cost of processing the application and associated paperwork for any additional applicants.

Guarantor’s Referencing

Depending on the outcome of your referencing you may require a guarantor. This is not uncommon, and means someone will support your application by being additionally referenced to ensure they can cover the overall rent commitments in the event that you cannot. This fee is payable in respect of each guarantor to cover referencing costs and providing a ‘Deed of Guarantee’ as part of the tenancy agreement, which details their obligations as a guarantor.

Amendments & Re-issue of Tenancy Agreement

If you need a guarantor or the landlord agrees that you may keep pets at the property for example, the standard tenancy agreement will need special conditions and amendments added, and this fee will be charged. This fee will also be charged if you wish to change the agreed terms of the tenancy as the paperwork will need to be changed and produced again.

Fees after Moving In

	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Tenancy Renewal Fee	£ 41.67	£ 50.00
Amendments & Re-issue of Tenancy Agreement	£ 70.83	£ 85.00
*Please Note: Any change of occupier is also subject to the administration fee for 1 applicant
Failed Direct Debit or Standing Order not set up	£ 30.00	£ 36.00
Late Payment Fee	£ 33.33	£ 40.00
Early Surrender Fee / Re-let without Prejudice (payable to initiate the process)	£ 200.00	£ 240.00
Full liability for all rent until the start date of any new tenancy. All Fees usually payable by the landlord for administration or remarketing of the property i.e. inventory remake. Please seek confirmation for clarity, in writing.
Inventory Check Out Fee using independent company - Unfurnished	£ 41.67 - £ 58.33	£ 50.00 - £ 70.00
Furnished (depending on property size, please seek confirmation in writing)	£ 54.17 - £ 70.83	£ 65.00 - £ 85.00
Post Agreement Addendum	£ 30.00	£ 36.00
Written Reference	£ 20.83	£ 25.00
Contractor Access Service (per hour)	£ 12.50	£ 15.00

During and after your Tenancy, we offer additional services that may incur fees

Tenancy Renewal Fee

This is the cost of preparing a new tenancy agreement and negotiating with your landlord for a further fixed term tenancy. Extending your tenancy, if agreed by your landlord, provides assurance of staying in the property for a further fixed period, and avoids the uncertainty of a landlord serving notice at any given time.

Amendments & Re-issue of Tenancy Agreement

This may be applicable if a change to the tenancy is required mid term. This may be due to a change in personal circumstances or a request to leave the tenancy early. This is agreed prior to the end of the tenancy agreement and is strictly subject to Landlord consent.

Post Agreement Addendum

Should you alter your application after contracts have been formally issued, and it is appropriate to do so, Heather & Lay can produce an addendum to the tenancy agreement strictly with the landlord’s consent.

Failed Direct Debits or Standing Order not set up

This fee is to cover the charges and administration cost when a standing order needs to be re-issued or a direct debit fails, the landlords rent cannot be processed and letters need to be sent. Standing orders are out of our control so it essential that you check with your bank well in advance of the rent due date that the standing order is in place and that funds are available to pay the rent.

Early Surrender Fee

If the tenant requests an early termination of the contract and the landlord agrees for the property to be remarketed then the early surrender fee is required. This must be paid prior to the commencement of remarketing. In addition the tenant is liable to pay the landlords administration and marketing costs and will also remain liable for the property, relevant home insurances and the rent until the commencement of the new contract with the replacement tenant.

Check Out Fee using Independent Company

At the landlord’s expense an independent inventory of the property will be made before the property is occupied by you. You will be liable for a check out fee when the inventory clerk carries out their inspection at the end of the tenancy. The check out report forms an important part in how the return of your security deposit is arranged.

Written Reference

If you wish to leave the property you are renting and apply through a different agent they may want us to provide you with a written reference or complete specific forms for the benefit of their referencing process.

Contractor Access Service

If you are unavailable, or unable to have someone else provide access to contractors, Heather & Lay can arrange for a member of staff to wait at the property providing staff numbers allow it, precise times are observed and payment is provided in advance.

When do I pay the Tenancy Administration Fee?

Once you have decided to apply for a property, and completed, signed and returned an Offer Form including the Terms and Conditions Acceptance Form, Heather & Lay will submit your interest to the landlord. Once the terms of the tenancy have been provisionally agreed with your landlord you will be asked to pay the administration fee, after which a link to complete formal reference applications will be emailed to you. It is essential you respond to the link swiftly, as any delay may damage your application. Debit or credit card are accepted.

What is the Tenancy Administration Fee?

This fee includes the cost of referencing using an independent company and will include, but not exclusively, checking your credit status, current employer, current or past landlords, and any other information relevant to help assess the suitability of your tenancy application. The fee also includes all administration costs incurred by Heather & Lay including issuing a tenancy agreement and protecting your security deposit.

Should you fail the referencing for any reason including adverse credit history, or if you withdraw from the tenancy after referencing has begun the administration fee is forfeited in full. Should the landlord withdraw from the tenancy the administration is fully refundable to you. Any additional fees that may be applicable to you, for example a guarantor fee, will be payable before proceeding with the application. The first rental and security deposit payment will need to be paid 3 working days prior to the tenancy start date.

If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to assist.

You can speak to our friendly lettings team on 01326 374 850 or email lettings@heather-lay.co.uk

Residential Sales
01326 319 767

3 Church Street, Falmouth
Cornwall, TR11 3DN

Property Letting & Management
01326 374850

Swingbridge House, Anchor Quay,
Penryn, Cornwall TR10 8GU

Land & New Homes
01326 374850

Swingbridge House, Anchor Quay,
Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8GU