This guide is for tenants and has been prepared by ND Estates. It is solely to provide a guide to the Tenant detailing useful tips, information about your tenancy and, importantly your responsibilities as a Tenant. People who live with you as permitted occupiers or members of the household are those named in your tenancy agreement. They are not tenants unless they are named as the Tenant. See your lease (household / permitted occupiers). ND Estates in all cases is acting for the Landlord. However we want to provide as much information as possible to help you enjoy your home and also detail our contact procedures.
Welcome to your new home. Now that you have moved into your home, please find below our guide to some of the steps we recommend you take as you settle in.
You will need to set up your standing order with your bank either by completing the Standing order form provided in your Welcome Pack and returning it to your bank or online. We advise that you set your banking order to leave your account 2 days before the rent due date. Please refer to your tenancy agreement for the Account details as you will be paying your Landlord directly and set up your standing order accordingly. ND Estates does not accept any payments
At the start of the Tenancy, you will be required to pay a security deposit, which will be held against any damage that is not considered 'fair wear and tear'. The Landlord must pay the Deposit to the myDeposits Jersey scheme within 30 days of receiving the Deposit, as required by Regulation 28 of the Residential Tenancy (Deposit Scheme) (Jersey) Regulations 2014, and a certificate will be issued, as per the terms of your tenancy agreement. See "Deposit"
If we are instructed by your Landlord, we will arrange for an inventory to take place at the Landlord's expense prior to your move in, we will endeavour to have this available to you prior to move in or soon thereafter. If we are not instructed by the Landlord, then the Landlord must supply the Inventory condition report. The inventory is taken primarily:
We will provide you with one set of keys for each person named on the tenancy agreement. ND Estates (if acting as Managing Agent) and your Landlord will, generally, keep one set of master keys for management, emergencies or gaining access with your permission. Lost keys/fobs and lock changes: If you lose or damage any keys, you must pay the key replacement fee of £51 (including GST) for each key replaced. This is a separate charge from any lockout call-out fee. You may come and borrow the management set of keys if you have locked yourself out; please bring a form of photo ID and you must return them within one hour. Your tenancy agreement does not allow you to change the lock(s) without the prior written permission of your Landlord and/or Management Agency. If you are locked out outside normal office hours and require our attendance, you will receive a separate lockout call-out fee of £78.50 (including GST). That fee does not include replacement keys. Increases to ND Estates’ fees (including the assignment fee, the pet addendum fee, the key replacement fee and the lockout call-out fee) will be notified from time to time on the ND Estates website (www.ndestates.com) in the client, tenant and landlord folder/portal.
You should check that you have organised the following when you move in:
We advise all tenants to take meter readings at the start and end of the Tenancy. This ensures that you can pass this information on to the suppliers and ensure that you are only paying for your consumption during your Tenancy. Please make sure you familiarise yourself with your meters and if necessary, contact the suppliers if you need any help.
You need to contact the utility companies and telephone companies to make sure all utilities are placed in your name.
At the commencement of your Tenancy, you will be provided with an email or copy of the condition report we have prepared on behalf of the Landlord.
A condition report is a way for a Landlord to record the physical condition and state of repair of a property when you move in and out of the Property. This must be done and is required with every tenancy agreement.
At the beginning of a tenancy or before, the Landlord must:
Photographs and any other type of visual images can help support comments made on a condition report but should not replace the report. We use photographs as standard in our condition report. Any photographs should be signed and dated by the Landlord and Tenant.
The Tenant can mark anything they don't agree with by marking their initials next to the comments and returning a copy of the report to the Landlord. The Landlord can choose to accept the objections, initial what they agree with and return it to the Tenant. If the Landlord or Tenant doesn't agree with a statement in the report, or this disagreement is subject to action through the court or an adjudicator. You must provide evidence against the report or the modifications.
There may be times when you may want to update your existing report or complete a new one. For example, when work has been done to improve the condition of the Property. You can record these changes with a new condition report or by adding to the original. However, it must be signed and dated by both the Landlord and Tenant.
If you're renewing or varying your Tenancy, you can choose to complete a new condition report. If not, the report completed at the beginning of your Tenancy will have effect. There will be costs incurred in respect of the variation of the condition report.
At the end of the Tenancy, the Landlord and Tenant may agree that the Property has been returned in either the same or better condition as it was let. The Landlord should confirm this to the Tenant in writing. If the Property has been returned in any other condition, you should complete a condition report in the same way as at the beginning of the Tenancy.
Any deposits placed to rent a home must be protected in the States' approved tenancy deposit scheme, mydeposits Jersey. Details concerning deposits are available on this Link.
During your Tenancy, if we are managing the Property on behalf of the Landlord, we will conduct interim inspections of the Property on either a quarterly or six-monthly basis. This report is conducted for the Landlord, and our reports are sent to the Landlord. Should any defect or remedy in the property be noted and it is the Tenant’s responsibility you will be notified in writing.
This section features a brief guide to basic maintenance for you during your occupancy of your home and what to do when encountering problems. Please note that demonstrations of most of these tips are available through a simple Internet search of Google or Bing; also, manuals to most appliances can be found online with the make and model number.
You are responsible for keeping your rental home in a good condition. To help you do this it is best to carry out small tasks and routine checks to prevent the build-up of potential problems.
If you need to turn off all Electricity (e.g. due to a leak), use the main ON/OFF switch on the electricity consumer unit (Fuse Box).
Familiarise yourself with your fuse box, which should be located close to the main point of entry for Electricity in your home. It will either have fuses or trip switches. Modern electric circuits are fitted with circuit breaker fuse system. A switch will trip, and the circuit will be broken, stopping power the circuit if a fault develops. Older units will have fuses that may need to be replaced. If in doubt, please contact your property manager.
Open the cover on the fuse box to expose the trip switches. Check which switches have tripped to the OFF position and put them back to the ON position. For more detail, please refer to any user manual supplied.
A common cause of electricity trips or faults is overloading plugs and blowing fuses. Therefore, do not use multiple adaptors on single plug sockets and be sure to check the appliance fuse. If a contractor is called out due to this kind of user error, you are likely to be liable for the cost.
Please contact us and take the following precautions
The thermostat maintains the temperature in your Property. To set it, turn the dial so that the arrow or marker indicates the temperature desired. A comfortable temperature is between 18C and 22C. On many systems, the temperature of individual radiators can be controlled via the turn knobs on the side, however you will need to check your system to see what applies. Any damage caused by you in respect of those will be at your cost.
If the top part of a radiator is cold, when the bottom part of it is warm, it means air is trapped within the system. Bleeding the radiator releases this air and allows hot water to fill the whole system.
If the radiator is cold, check that the radiator valve is turned up. If more than one radiator is cold, the whole system may need to be checked by a plumbing and heating engineer. Please contact your property manager during working hours. Turn of the heating system before bleeding; otherwise, the pump might draw more air into the system. Make sure the radiator in question is cold to prevent injury. You will need a special radiator key, available from most DIY and hardware shops. You will also need a rag cloth and a bowl in case water escapes from the system.
The bleed valve is the small square nut situated at the top end of the radiator. Place the key over the valve and hold the cloth around it to catch any water. Gently turn the key anti-clockwise until you hear a hiss – this is the air being released. When water starts to come through, turn the key back clockwise to shut the valve off. DO NOT unscrew the valve completely as the plug will come out. WARNING: IF YOU ARE UNSURE HOW TO UNDERTAKE THE TASK YOU SHOULD CONTACT A PLUMBER AND ASK THEM TO DO THIS FOR YOU. ANY DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND IT DEPENDS ON THE SYSTEM IN PLACE.
Condensation occurs when there is an excessive build-up of moisture in the air. There is always moisture in the air, but people can also create additional moisture in their homes:
Condensation can sometimes cause mould to grow in your home. If you don't treat it, it can grow and spread to other areas of your home. Sometimes mould can cause respiratory (breathing) problems.
Wipe down the affected area with a fungicidal wash or spray - make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Keep an eye on the area for at least a week and wipe it down again with the fungicidal wash if the mould returns, Shampoo any mildewed carpet and dry-clean clothes - this is better than brushing or vacuum cleaning, which can disturb mould and increase the risk of respiratory problems. if the treatment seems to have worked, you can then redecorate if you need to. Fungicidal paints can help stop mould coming back, but are only effective if you don't cover them with ordinary paints and wallpapers (you can also buy fungicidal wallpaper paste) stop mould coming back by controlling the amount of condensation and dampness in your home. You can contact us for advice or to seek assistance.
During your Tenancy you are responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of supplied cookers, hobs and ovens.
If you have a ceramic hob or similar you will need to avoid dropping items on the hob that cause a breakage or damage. Any break caused by you will be your responsibility and you will be responsible for the repair.
It is recommended that you keep the oven clean during your Tenancy as at the end of your Tenancy you are required to return the oven in a clean condition.
To keep your dishwasher in good running order, you should carry out a maintenance wash once a month
To keep your washing machine in good running order, you should carry out a maintenance wash once a month, to dissolve any mould or soap scum build up in the machine. Tip: Leave the door on your washing machine open for a while after a wash to prevent damp build up.
These should be carried out once a month to keep your machine in clean working order. They should also be carried out if you find any mould building up in your machine, or the machine starts to smell damp.
Please be aware that most washer dryer units cannot take the same load in washing as in drying. Always refer to the user guide and do not exceed the recommended limits.
Black mould can form on the door seal, particularly if you don't allow the machine to dry out between washes, or you don't carry out maintenance washes. This is best removed by using rubber gloves and making sure you remove all mould from the layers of inner and outer door seals, followed with a maintenance wash, see above
Many problems, such as the washing machine not draining properly or completing its cycle are caused by foreign objects finding their way into the pump area. You should ensure that all small objects are removed from pockets to prevent this from happening. Please refer to the appliance handbook to gain access to the pump area and remove such objects and be advised that any damage to the appliance caused by this sort of item will be charged to you. If you cannot gain access to the pump filter or are unable to carry out the handbook instructions, contact your property manager, who will arrange for an engineer to attend. If a contractor is called out due to this kind of user error, you, as Tenant, are likely to be liable for the cost.
Any damage caused by you to any Hobs or Ovens, Dishwasher or Washing Machine or any other appliance supplied at the Commencement of the Tenancy by the Landlord and occurring during your tenancy is your responsibility and it is your duty to report any damage to either your Landlord or ND Estates acting for the Landlord as soon as possible after it occurs and to pay for any repairs and replacements.
Most blockages are caused by a build-up of foreign objects, such as food, grease, or hair in your drains.
You should use a drain cleaning product every so often to clear the drains, available from most Supermarkets and DIY Stores. If a blockage is caused by your misuse in this way, you are likely to be held liable for the full cost of clearing the blockage. Therefore, you should attempt to clear any blockages yourself before contacting your property manager. If more than one fitting is blocked:
If the toilet cistern is overflowing, open the lid of the toilet cistern (if it is accessible) and try lifting the float to close the ball valve. If this stops the overflow, try to tie it up, and then contact us during office hours.
Some toilets are fitted with a Saniflo Macerator Pump, which breaks up material and pumps water into the drains of the Property. The important thing to note with Saniflo toilets is that you cannot put anything other than small amounts of toilet paper down them. Any larger items can break the macerator. It is expensive to replace Saniflo toilets and if they break down due to misuse, you will be charged for repair and/or replacement.
The filters on kitchen extractor hoods should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they continue to work. You will notice discolouration when the filter needs to be replaced. If you don't look after the filter, grease will build up around the cooker. As a tenant this is your responsibility.
It is your responsibility to change the bulbs and batteries in your Property. Normal and halogen bulbs can be purchased from most hardware and DIY shops.
You should carry out regular checks on your smoke detectors using the test button to ensure they are working. Most of them are fitted with readily available 9 Volt batteries (the rectangular ones) and are easily replaced by opening the device.
It is your responsibility as a tenant to carry out pest control both inside and outside your home. Traps and bait can be bought from some Supermarkets, or DIY Stores. If the problem persists, please contact your property manager during office hours so we may arrange a pest controller visit. The pest controller will be at your cost.
Mice are one of the most common types of pests and it can be very difficult to exclude them from properties, particularly conversion flats and terraced houses, as there so many points of entry. To lessen the likelihood of mice in your Property you should ensure that:
Rats can find their way in to the house and attic of homes on occasion. Rats can also be found in gardens and can establish nests in borders, under decking or patios. Ensure that rubbish is kept in solid bin containers and that you do not discard food in a garden. Whilst some people do like to keep compost bins unless these have a plastic or solid base rodents can enter from the base and can establish nests in the Garden Waste bins. If the problem persists, please contact your property manager during office hours so we may arrange a pest controller visit. The pest controller visit will be at your cost.
https://bpca.org.uk/a-z-of-pest-advice/
Some rental properties have a restriction on pets and you will not be allowed a pet under the terms of your Tenancy. Some properties are not suitable for pets or, for example, if the Property is an apartment, may have an overall restriction on pets which the owner of the apartment can do nothing about.
If you consider your Property may be suitable for pets, before you acquire a pet you will need approval from the Landlord. Such approval is not guaranteed but may be considered and as noted above such a decision does not always rest with the Landlord. A request should be made in writing.
If your request is successful, as Tenant making the request you will be responsible for the cost of a pet addendum to be added to the Tenancy agreement, and the cost for this is currently £210 (including GST), matching the fee in your tenancy agreement. Increases to these fees will be notified from time to time on the ND Estates website (www.ndestates.com) in the client, tenant and landlord folder/portal.
You are responsible for the interior of your home in accordance with the terms your Tenancy agreement but in general you should be aware of the following and you are responsible for;
If your home is an apartment has a balcony or patio the following are your responsibility, unless otherwise agreed or specified in the tenancy agreement:
If your home has a garden the following are your responsibility, unless otherwise agreed or specified in the tenancy agreement:
Unless otherwise stated in the tenancy agreement, you are not responsible for:
If you wish to change the garden in any way (even making improvements), they are required by law to gain the Landlord's approval beforehand – this also includes planting their own garden. Failure to do so could allow the Landlord to charge the Tenant the cost of returning the garden to its original state.
If you are not renewing your Tenancy or the Landlord is not renewing the Tenancy, then there are several factors you will need to consider at the end of the Tenancy. Here are some guidance points: Ending the tenancy (including first-notice dates and periodic continuation) is governed by your tenancy agreement Part F and Articles 6C to 6G of the Residential Tenancy (Jersey) Law 2011 (as amended). This guide does not change those rules. See your lease.
You will need to contact us to allow us access to conduct a check-out inspection of the premises. We will inspect the premises. As a tenant, you are obliged to return the premises in the same condition they were handed over to you at commencement, with fair wear and tear excepted.
The Landlord may not refund your Deposit until the following documents or confirmations have been emailed to us.
Before you start searching for your new home, it's a good idea to have a budget in place. You should note your current outgoings and what money you have left each month to spend on rent. As well as the rent, consider any other costs involved in moving home and renting a property, including deposits, household bills, removal costs, etc.
If you haven't done so, make sure you go and view the Property. Make sure you are confident that you wish to proceed to secure the Property. Contact the agent who will agree on terms between you and the Landlord and begin the referencing process to ensure you're in a position to rent the Property. Please note that other parties will be interested in the Property, and, therefore, the decision as to who will rent the Property rests with the Landlord.
The Landlord needs to be sure that their Tenant won't have any problems paying the rent monthly and that the Tenant will take good care of their Property.
Referencing is nothing to worry about. Tenants applying to rent need to give details of their employer and income, self-employment, their previous address, and bank account details. We will generally contact your previous Landlord (subject to your consent), your employer to confirm the details you have supplied to us and also conduct a credit check. These will be checked to ensure that the Tenant they can commit to monthly rental payments.
As part of the referencing process and to satisfy the Jersey Housing Law, we will need to check the ID and confirm a tenant is who they say they are. We will require proof of residency (such as a recent utility, rates or tax bill) and proof of ID (passport and driving licence) for all individual proposed tenants. We also require to see your original Registration Card.
In certain circumstances, a tenant may not be approved immediately via referencing. Examples are those tenants without a regular income or someone leaving their family home for the first time and having no renting history. This situation is not uncommon, and as we all have to start somewhere, there are still options for tenants in this position. With the Landlord's agreement, they could pay the rent for the full term up front or seek a guarantor. In some cases, the Landlord will take a view of the situation.
If the referencing process does not fully approve a tenant, they can ask a guarantor to support them if the Landlord agrees. A guarantor will agree to take responsibility for the rent if the Tenant fails to pay. Guarantors must pay any rent arrears (if the Tenant does not pay) and for any damages costing more than the Deposit. The Guarantor should seek legal advice when entering into the commitment to Guarantee
The Guarantor Guarantees the rental of all the parties to the lease and A guarantor) will agree to take responsibility for the rent if the Tenant fails to pay. Guarantors are required to pay any rent arrears (if the Tenant does not pay) and for any damages costing more than the Deposit. It is advisable that the Guarantor seeks legal advice when entering into the commitment to Guarantee.
The Landlord wants to know that you will look after the Property and keep the Property in good condition and good order. The Deposit is held to ensure that any damages (over and above fair wear and tear) can be corrected at the end of the Tenancy. Details of the purpose of the Deposit is also detailed in the Tenancy Agreement.
In Jersey it is a requirement of the Law that myDeposits Jersey holds the Deposit. The Landlord is required to pay the Deposit to the scheme within 30 days of receiving the Deposit, as required by Regulation 28 of the Residential Tenancy (Deposit Scheme) (Jersey) Regulations 2014.
You may have accidentally reset the timer. Check and reset your clock. If there is no power at all, check your fuse box to ensure the circuit hasn't been broken. See 'Checking your Fuse Box
Your pump filter is probably blocked. Drain the machine and check the filter for foreign objects. See 'Washing Machine' for more information
This is likely to be caused by a build-up of food and limescale in the sink drain. In the first instance, buying a sink/drain unblocking liquid is advisable to remove the blockage. See 'Clearing Drainage Blockages'
You may need to replace your rinse aid or dishwasher salt. These items can be bought from supermarkets and easily topped up. Check your appliance manual, if supplied, for further info, or search for the item on the internet.
There is probably too much air in the system. You may need to bleed your radiators. If you are unsure as to how to do this, you will need to contact us or a plumber. You will be responsible for the cost of this service and not the Landlord. See Bleeding Radiators
You will need to check that the thermostat isn't set too low and that the timer is set correctly on the boiler. See 'Central Heating'
If you are unfortunately unable to complete your tenancy during the initial fixed term, your option is to assign the lease, subject to the reasonable agreement of the Landlord, to a third party who takes on your responsibilities for the remainder of that fixed term. Assignment and the assignment fee apply only during the initial fixed term and do not apply once the tenancy has become periodic.
The Tenant is responsible for the Agent’s assignment fee. This fee applies only during the initial fixed term of the lease and does not apply once the tenancy has become periodic. Where ND Estates is the managing agent the fee is one month’s rent plus GST, matching the tenancy agreement. If the Tenant chooses to use their own agent, then the Tenant would be responsible for two fees, those of the appointed agent and those of ND Estates where ND Estates is the managing agent because ND Estates acts for the Landlord and it is the approval of the Landlord that is being sought. Increases to these fees will be notified from time to time on the ND Estates website (www.ndestates.com) in the client, tenant and landlord folder/portal.
We will endeavour to respond to any email or telephone call from Tenants where we are managing a property within 24 hours of the communication by email or telephone. Our phone lines are answered during the daytime by our call answering service and in the evening by the same service. Contact should be made through 01534 629009.
Urgent matters are the following and we will respond as soon as possible or send contractors as soon as they are available: