The deposit will vary from property to property. On average, deposits are usually equivalent to one month’s rent but can reach up to an equivalent of two month’s rent. The Deposit must be payable on or before the date of move in. Any funds transferred through the bank must be cleared on the date of move in. The deposit will be protected by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), a government backed scheme that keeps deposit money safe for letting agents, landlords and tenants.

Following legislation introduced in April 2007, it is now a requirement for all deposits to be registered within a government approved scheme. For ‘managed’ properties (i.e. those managed for the landlord by Properties Birmingham), Properties Birmingham register the deposits with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS).

Introduced in April 2007, it is now compulsory to adhere to government guidelines regarding the registering of the deposit in an approved scheme.

Properties Birmingham registers the deposits for all managed properties with Deposit Protection Service (DPS). Further information, terms and conditions can be found at www.depositprotection.com.

Landlords who manage their own properties are responsible for registering this deposit after Properties Birmingham transfer the deposit to them following the commencement of the tenancy.

It is the landlord’s responsibility to provide details of the scheme under which the deposit has been registered. Normally the tenant should receive notification of this through the post; this should include information on the procedures for the return of the deposit. More information about deposit protection can be found on the government website.

Full references are required for each applicant, but see below for exceptions. Please contact us for further information.

For individuals:

• a letter from your employer on headed paper, stating position and salary;
• a copy will be taken of photographic ID (passport or driving licence);
• a copy will be taken of a utility bill dated within the last 3 months,
• a copy of a bank statement/mobile phone bill.

For corporate lets:

• an accountant’s reference for the company;
• we will check the company at ‘Companies House’
• we need to obtain clarification that the companies’ accounts are in good order and up-to-date.

For students:

• we may ask that in order to proceed with the let, a guarantor is in place or alternatively payment for the length of the tenancy is made in advance.

The first month’s rent must be payable within seven days of the deal being agreed, then monthly thereafter.

Rent is payable by standing order, which is dated 3 days before the ‘rent due’ date to allow time for the monies to clear into the rent account.

For properties managed by Properties Birmingham, you will be contacted by our office a few weeks before the end date of your contract, asking you if you wish to renew your tenancy. A form will be sent out to you for you to complete and return to our office. We can then contact your landlord and arrange to sign a new contract.

If your property is managed by your landlord, you must contact them directly. We are happy to assist in drawing up new contracts – please contact us for more information.

For properties managed by Properties Birmingham, we will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time for us to come and check the property for any dilapidations. We recommend that you try to be present if possible to agree any damages, etc. which may have arisen.

As of 1^st June 2019, our administration fees for residential tenants have been removed entirely in compliance with the Tenant Fees Bill. 
For company lets or group lets, please call us to discuss.

For properties managed by your landlord, you must liaise with your landlord to arrange a time for the check out.