Tenants Faq

At Pads, service comes as standard.

How do I arrange a viewing?
Having looked through our extensive property portfolio, you can call into our office or telephone to discuss your requirements with a dedicated Letting Negotiator who will be personally allocated to you throughout the viewing process with pads.  Should you prefer, you can e-mail your viewing request through to info@ukpads.com
Can I have an evening or weekend viewing appointment?
Yes. We are available to conduct Saturday viewings almost all year round. We also offer late night viewings from January through to March.
Do I meet at the property for a viewing?
No. All our viewing appointments meet at the office.  You will then be introduced to your personally assigned Letting Negotiator, who will then chauffeur you to your selected properties.
How long can I take a tenancy for?
Tenancies are normally 12 months. We can however offer shorter term tenancies on selected properties dependent on the time of year.
How much is the deposit?
The amount of deposit payable is dependent on the property, but usually works out at £300 per person (as shown on our listings).  However, on selected properties we are offering the opportunity of ‘deposit free’. That means zero deposit payable!
Are there any fees to pay?
We do not charge hefty referencing fees, just a one-off administration fee.  The amount depends on the property and tenancy.
Will I be subject to a credit check?
Not normally. We require that each applicant provide a guarantor that meets our criteria.
What type of agreement will I be signing?
If there is more than one person named on the agreement, you will be ‘joint and several’.  This means that you are equally responsible for ensuring your contractual obligations are met.  You are legally responsible for the payment of the full rent i.e if one person does not pay or if one of you damages the house, you are each as accountable.
How often will I pay rent and how?
Students usually pay quarterly and professionals monthly.  All rental payments must be paid standing order.  To facilitate this, we will provide a mandate for you or whoever is paying on your behalf to complete.
Will I receive a rent discount for the summer?
No, not usually.  As most tenancies run for 12 months, the house is yours to occupy for the term and rent is payable for the full period.
Can I rent just a room in a house?
Yes.  We have a selection of properties that are available on a room-by-room basis.
Can two people occupy one room?
Yes, though only in one bedroom properties.  Larger houses and room-by-room occupancy is one person per bedroom.
Is it okay to keep pets?
Unfortunately not. As well behaved as some pets can be, they can cause significant damage to a property from ruined furnishings to infestations.
Can I move in early?
Unfortunately not. You can only take up occupancy from the start date of your contract providing all specified requirements have been met.
Who pays the bills?
You are responsible for the payment of all utilities – gas, electricity and water.  You should read the meters upon taking up occupancy and telephone them through to the relevant supplier to activate your account.  You should also ensure to arrange for a TV license for the property.  Please refer to your ‘Welcome Pack’ issued to you upon taking occupancy.
Do I pay Council Tax?
Not if you are a registered full-time student. However, you still need to notify the council that you have moved in and you will receive an exemption certificate on the property. Professionals do pay council tax.
Will the property be furnished?
Yes, the vast majority of our properties are furnished. However, this does not include kitchen consumables such as crockery cutlery, pots, pans, and so on. You will also need to provide your own bedding.
Who is responsible for repairs at the property?
You are responsible for any day to day issues at the property such as unblocking the hoover and toilet, replacing light bulbs and fuses, etc.  We can attend to these on your behalf, but you will be charged for the work carried out as with any damages caused by you. Any issues beyond your remit or relating to a defect are the responsibility of the landlord.
What if I have a maintenance issue?
You can either ring our office and report your issue to our dedicated maintenance team or alternatively you can report your repairs on-line or via e-mail to info@ukpads.com

In case of emergency, we have a 24 hour call out team who will attend your property out-of-hours. Their details can be obtained via our answerphone.
Can I paint my room?
Any request to make alterations to the property, such as decorating, must be done in writing.  We can provide you with a request form to be completed in our office. Providing the landlord authorises your request, then you will receive a copy of the signed authorisation.
What happens if I can’t pay my rent?

It is very important that you pay your rent in full and on time.  However, if you are having difficulties, please ensure to contact us in advance of missing a payment and we will do our best to offer guidance and advice.  If you do fall into arrears, then unfortunately you will incur charges in line with the agreement

Do I need insurance?
There is no legal requirement for you to have insurance, however, it is strongly recommended that you do take out a suitable policy.  The landlord will have insurance for the building, but this will not cover your personal belongings in the event of damage or burglary.  Likewise, if you damage the landlord’s property then you will be personally liable unless you are insured.
Who will visit my property and when?
The landlord or agent will visit your property periodically to carry out inspections to assess the condition of the property, commission gas or electrical safety inspections, conduct viewings and the like.  You will be notified in advance of the visit wherever possible (except in an emergency, for example) and it is very important that you allow reasonable access to the property.  It is also in your interests that you keep us informed of any change of contact details e.g mobile numbers, etc in order that we can contact you.  We will also attend to carry out repairs.  If you have requested a repair at your property then a tradesman will be allocated to attend at the earliest opportunity.
What do I need to do at the end of the tenancy?
On or before the last day of your tenancy, you need to ensure that the property is thoroughly cleaned and each of the points on your agreement and ‘check out pack’ adhered to.  This pack will be sent to you a few weeks prior to your vacating date.  Utility companies should be informed of your departure and meter readings given.  The property must be fully vacated before 12pm on the last day of the tenancy and all keys to the property must be returned to our office.
How do I get my deposit back and when will it be returned?
At the end of the tenancy you should return the property in good order and settle your accounts with the utility companies (based on accurate readings) and Council Tax department.  Proof of payment for gas, water, electricity and Council Tax should be sent along with the original final bill (please retain a copy for your records). Upon receipt of these documents your deposit will be processed usually within ten working days.  Please note that it is imperative that your tenancy account is clear or this could seriously delay the return of your deposit.

What if I need to leave before the end of the tenancy?

The tenancy is a fixed term tenancy which means that you cannot end it early, nor can the landlord require that you leave early.  You can leave the property at any time, should you wish, by paying the rent to the end of the term.  Alternatively, you can find someone to replace you and ‘assign’ your tenancy.  If you are considering this, please contact our office for further information.