Professionals
To help you choose a suitable property you can perform a search on our website based on the criteria you require. From this, you can produce your own personalised property list. or just call our office and our staff will help you with your search and give information about local areas and trends in the Newcastle and North East area. Our website also includes additional links to other sites to help you further.
We can meet viewers at our office or at the property for viewings but we will require contact details for you in the case of a last minute change of plan.Just phone to arrange viewings or if you require further information on your selected properties, we are here to help you, so please ask!
We manage most of the properties on our list which means that we act on behalf of the landlord (at no extra cost to you!) to deal with the day-to-day management of their properties. We are available during normal opening times and for your benefit; there is an additional out of hours answer phone facility, which receives immediate attention upon our return. Please feel free to contact us throughout your tenancy should you need advice or information.
How do I go about renting a property?
Having chosen the property you want, a reservation fee of £250 or £100 per bedroom (whichever is the greater) will hold the property for 2 weeks, we then cancel all further viewings, and (subject to the landlord's approval), guarantee you the property (pending satisfactory references being obtained) It is important to note, that his holding fee is not refundable should you withdraw or if the references prove unacceptable. The contracts must be signed by all tenants and guarantors within this 2 week period to prevent the property being remarketed.
If the landlord does not give his consent then all your deposit is available for an immediate refund or you can use it towards the deposit on another property, the choice is yours. The process for students is slightly different so please go to the student web pages to find out how your tenancy progresses. The holding deposit is not an additional charge and is deducted from your invoice so you only have to pay the balance before moving in.
Before moving in how much will I have to pay ?
One month's rent in advance (for first month)
Damage deposit bond, (equivalent to at least one month's rent unless there is a special request clause). This is refundable at the end of your tenancy providing you have met the requirements of your tenancy agreement.
Administration fee- this may vary so ask in advance!
A bank reference may be required, if so we will provide you with a form requesting the required information, documentation and authorisation.
You will be provided with an invoice clearly outlining these charges
Cheques, must be received at least 10 days before moving in to allow it to clear, otherwise cash or a bankers draft are advised. You can only move into the property when your initial funds have cleared our account and you have set up your standing order for future payments.
How do I pay my rent ?
Rent is payable monthly by standing order. We will ask you to sign a mandate to your bank for this. Cash or cheque for ongoing rent payments may incur additional charges. If this does become necessary due to payment not being received by standing order for whatever reason, then an additional administrative charge could be made.
Who Advises the utility companies ?
Tenants are responsible for checking and ensuring the connection and payment of all services to the property- we cannot guarantee that services are 'ON'.
When moving into your new property, we advise you to read all meters, contact the relevant suppliers and council tax department and to have all utilities accounts put into your name. This should prevent disconnection of supply and any resulting reconnection charges.
Do I need a TV Licence ?
YES (most likely!) The Television Licensing Authority stipulates that tenants must purchase a licence, if there is (or at any time during your tenancy), any reciever in the property. This can apply to some computers and some mobile devices- Visit their website for more information: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/
Are there any safety regulations ?
All of our properties comply with furniture, Gas and safety regulations. You will be given a copy of the Safety Certificate at the start of your tenancy.
Maintenance during your stay
If you have a problem with your property do not instruct a contractor directly, it may be covered by guarantee, insurance or maintenance agreements. Contact Markbourn Ltd as soon as possible and we will advise and organise everything for you. Please note: failure to comply with these instructions could make you liable for any unauthorised payments or unreported damage. Additionally if a contractor is appointed and there is no fault or misuse, then the tenant would be liable for any charges- if in doubt- ask us.
What do we need to do ?
It is really important to keep and maintain the property in good order- this includes reporting any maintenance issues no matter how minor they may seem.
Your deposit is held against any repairs, replacements or cleaning work needed to restore the property to its original condition. It is fully refundable at the end of your tenancy providing you comply with the terms and conditions of your agreement. It cannot be used as rent at any time. (Deposits held pursuant to the Tenancy Deposit rules- as such we do not pay interest)
If damage repair or cleaning is required these costs will be deducted from your deposit. We sincerely hope that this is not the case and are happy to offer advice on leaving your property in the correct state. We benefit as a company in terms of customer service and customer satisfaction by returning deposits in full.
Please help us to achieve this by working closely with us on your departure.
You will receive an itemised statement and cheque usually within 2 weeks of the end of your tenancy, unless estimates are required and (or) you fail to meet the requirements of your tenancy agreement.
Please note; Some issues that can delay payment are:
Failure to provide proof of payment of your final utility bills
Not returning your keys (signed in). If keys are not returned and signed in we may need to change locks- this charge is passed to the tenant.
Do we receive an Inventory ?
We will provide an inventory for you when you move in. This will clearly show all aspects of your rental accommodation including the condition as well as any extra comments highlighting additional marks, scratches etc. This valuable document is designed to protect both you and the landlord and ensure fair play at all times. On the commencement of your tenancy we will provide you with two copies of the inventory. You then have seven days to check the inventory thoroughly.
When you are satisfied that all is present and correct we ask you to sign both copies, give one back to us and retain the second copy for your own records.
This definitive document is agreed by both parties and ensures a fair and efficient check out. If the inventory is not returned within seven days then it is clearly stated that you have agreed by default to accept the condition of the property.
We urge all of our tenants to sign for their own protection.
Students
Important Dates for your diary:
30th November We need to know whether you intend to extend your tenancy for another year. If not we are required by the landlord to remarket your property.
If you do want to stay you'll need to sign up again (At a reduced price for Markbourn Tenants!) and you will not be troubled by viewings.
1st April Excluding late signings, all the money and paperwork needs to have reached our office and cleared our banks.
Tips for Students Viewings:
Decide who you want to live with and work out all your requirements as soon as possible. Please note we can only allow a maximum of 4 viewings per appointment and 1 appointment per day to ensure fair play for all.
Some tips you may find useful in securing your property:
How many bedrooms do you need? A simple enough question, however most landlords will only rent on a basis of one person per room. So if there are two couples, you will still need a four bedroomed property
Where do you want to live? Do you have a specific area? In the UK there are hot spots of highly desirable areas and Newcastle is no exception! The more desirable the location the higher the rental. Currently the place to be is Jesmond and this is reflected in the prices. You can get more for your money in other areas however ensure they have the amenities you require, Metros, supermarkets, easy access to University etc. There is little point in saving £5 a week on rent and adding £30 a week on Taxis or transport to visit all your friends!
What specification do you require? You get more space in a house than a flat. Do you want single or double bedrooms? How many bathrooms do you need? Is parking an issue? - We recomend that you bring a note paper and pen and write down the address, its description and the pro’s & con's of each one you’ve been to see and which letting agent you viewed it with. We recomend you see at least 3-4 properties so you can gauge the standards.
Most important of all..
Try to viewas a whole group... There are over 35,000 students in Newcastle alone. and each property usually has several viewings per day. Landlords often put their properties on the lists of several letting agents so they can let it as quickly as possible. This means that although we may not have a viewing on the property in the next 24 hours other agents may have- we cannot guarantee the property will not be let if you delay your decision. If you can't all attend the viewing you should try to get the authority of the people that are not there to make a decision on their behalf- many pro's take pictures to send to their absent flatmates to help speed up the process.
The process actually works like this;You decide between yourselves which property you want, pay your holding deposit and sign any paperwork. We confirm with the landlord and then relay to you the landlords acceptance then we sign the agreement on behalf of the landlord- subject to any references- the property is yours!
Ok, congratulations you have your chosen property now we need to do the paperwork. You will be required to give us information about all tenants and any guarantors. We will need you to fill in an application form.
The holding deposit is also your administration and referencing fee and as the administrative process has already started (subject to landlords acceptance) the holding deposit is non refundable. However If the property has been let by another agent before we can confirm with the landlord or the landlord's circumstances have changed and the property is no longer available, you will receive a full refund and our full support in finding you an alternative property should you so wish.
Regardless of the services we offer to landlords, We have an adopted policy of care to all tenants and will be happy to offer support and guidance wherever possible with any matters conected to one of our tenancies.
Once you have signed the rental contract you have committed to rent our properties. If there are any aspect you are uncertain about please do ask!
Once we have all the documents completed you all need to make an appointment to sign the tenancy agreement and bring in the remaining payment & standing order forms.
Our tenancy agreements are written in simple English and are easy to understand. We ask that you return all paperwork to us as soon as possible and in any case within 2 weeks of paying the holding fee otherwise we will need to re-market the property.
Your damage deposit is refundable at the end of the tenancy subject to inspection, and is held in accordance with Tenancy Deposit Scheme Rules.
Moving in:
'Student Time' is one of our busiest times and it is important to us that we give you the best possible service and attention. Please make an appointment at least 24 hours before you come to collect key at the begining of your tenancy.
Should you have any problems after you have moved in you should contact Markbourn as soon as possible
Your rent will come out every month via standing order which is set up to commence a month after the start of your tenancy (Remember- you will have already paid your first month in advance)
Some housekeeping points:
Any damage caused due to lack of care and general maintenance from the tenant will be charged for. Examples of this include: Mould, Burst Pipes, Cigarette Burns, Stains etc. If you notice mould spots, leaks or areas of neglect - inform the person who manages your property immediately!
General Maintenance Advice
Mould Prevention– Regular Cleaning and Ventilation - Check & clean fridge/freezer regularly and throw out all foods you find that are past their use by date (even if it’s not yours) and wipe windows down if they become covered with condensation.
Frozen/Burst Pipes Prevention -Put the heating on low and use a timer during the holiday periods.
Bug /Vermin Infestation – Take out rubbish frequently and tie bags properly, - Vacuum, dust and clean the house regularly. - Clean & change bed linen on a weekly basis.
Stain Prevention - Always have an effective stain remover spray & kitchen roll handy and deal with potential stains as soon as they occur. - Do not wait until the following day, week or month.Cigarette Burns: Keep ashtrays around the house, ensure cigarettes are put out properly and take extra care around furnishings
You will be charged if you damage the property please take care!.
Ending Your Tenancy & Quick Deposit Refunds.
So, here’s what you need to do to ensure a hassle free fully returned deposit:
The property needs to be left in a clean and tidy state ready for future tenants. This includes:
Properly cleaned and dusted throughout, including cupboards, lights, nooks & crannies
Carpets clean and vacuumed
Fridge/Freezer emptied, cleaned thoroughly, turned off at the mains and doors left open
Oven/Hob/ cooker hood cleaned inside and out.
All Bathrooms and Toilets to be cleaned
All rubbish to be taken out and bins emptied and cleaned
All personal belongings must be removed from the property
Phone your utility companies and our office a week before your tenancy ends with the final meter readings and provide them with a forwarding address. Take the bills down to the post office, pay them and attach the receipts to the relevant bill. Bring them to our office as soon as possible.
We really want you to enjoy your stay and will do all we can to help you- just contact us and we will work together to make your tenancy as enjoyable as possible.
Why not arrange an appointment with our office before you’re due to move out for one of our team to come round and point out anything that’s still to do and would be charged for?
Perhaps hire a local cleaner for a deep clean (keep the invoice for your records as we will need a copy of this as proof that it has been done) We need copies of all receipted final bills (water, electric, gas & telephone) and ALL keys must be returned to us by 12 noon on the last day of the tenancy and signed in.
If keys are not returned we may be obliged to change the locks on the premises and this will be done at your cost. If the property is not cleaned properly or there is damage/ replacements to pay for then we will charge for this.
You’re moving out- you need your deposit returning as soon as possible, we want the property tenanted as soon as possible. We wager than none of you want to have the hassle and bills (we don't like doing it!) we really want to give you back your deposit quickly and in full- it means less work for us and positive word of mouth from you!!
Again-
call us at any time if you have any problems or questions. Don't wait till it's too late!
