Tenant Responsibilities

Rent

Your rental payments are due in advance on the agreed date and by the agreed method. If the tenancy is in two or more names, everyone on the tenancy agreement is responsible for making sure the rent is paid on time. This is a condition of the tenancy agreement.

Repairs and maintenance

As part of your tenancy, you are required to take reasonable care of the property and its contents and should not allow it to fall into disrepair. You can be charged for any damage to, or deterioration of the property through negligence, if you have not taken reasonable care. Any repair or maintenance work that falls within the landlord’s responsibility should be reported to us straight away by means outlined in this information pack.

Agent Visits to your Home

You are contractually bound to allow us visits to the property to check the condition and conduct a report, this is normally carried out every 4-6 months or sooner, if contracted by the landlord to do so.

Insurance

You are responsible to have in place contents insurance for your belonging and yourself for accidental damage or theft.

Flooring

Ensuring carpets and floor coverings are protected from all stains and burns. Any damage may require complete replacement for which you will be charged.

Fridge/freezer (where provided)

Defrosting regularly but never using a knife or other sharp object as this may damage the elements. Frozen drawers causing damage is a tenant charge.

Neighbours

Not to cause a nuisance to your neighbours and to try and resolve minor neighbour disputes yourself. Not to cause parking violations.

Sinks and work surfaces

Using the correct cleaning materials, chopping boards and heatproof mats, do not cause water ingress, which swells the counter tops and causes ingress below the work surfaces Not putting fatty substances down drains as this may block them and you will be liable for the unblocking costs.

Garden

If the property is provided with access to a private garden, you will be required to keep your garden clean, tidy and well maintained; including trees, bushes, all paths, and driveways greenery must not be allowed to grow out of control.

Decorating

Taking reasonable care of the property, Making sure you have permission in writing from your Property Manager before decorating any part of the property – you need written confirmation that the landlord has given consent.

Satellite dishes and aerials

Not fitting an aerial or satellite dish to any part of the property without our written permission in advance. Meeting the cost of fitting and removal, together with making good any damages to a professional standard.

Waste

Ensuring you dispose of waste responsibly and not allowing it to accumulate as this will help prevent vermin problems – you are responsible for vermin control during your tenancy. Finding out what day rubbish is collected in your area and putting out your wheelie-bin on time or using well sealed bin bags (where relevant).

Security

Ensuring windows and doors are locked when you leave the property unattended. Letting us know if your home will be unoccupied for 14 days or more at any one time.

Vermin & Pest control

Removal of vermin and infestations are usually the responsibility of the occupier, as the landlord does not have control over nature, vermin nor the tenant’s actions, in the way they live, deposit waste, food or recycling.

In some circumstances, it may be the landlord’s responsibility under law to deal with an immediate problem but they may have the right to challenge any other party at fault, to recover costs. This maybe from the tenant, if their behaviour is the reason for the infestation. If you experience an infestation (wasp or bee nest, or vermin within the first week or so of living in the property, your landlord is possibly responsible for treatment to remove the infestation, as it is likely it was there at the time of your move in.

Exceptions being – if the presence of vermin are due to your actions, way of living, or any other issue caused by the tenant or visitors. If it is due to a building defect or another reason, it is likely the landlord’s problem to resolve.

After the initial move in period, if not related to a property failing, you become responsible and should contact a suitable contractor or pest control company, or deal with the problem yourself, through the various options available in super markets and hardware stores.

Pets

Pets and other animals cannot be kept at the property without prior written permission from Right Step Property Group. If we do agree to you keeping a pet, we may ask you for an additional amount towards the rent to in consideration of the pet. However, if the landlord has not given authority, you may be in breach of your tenancy agreement.

Ventilation

Making sure windows are opened regularly, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen to avoid the formation of condensation and condensation blackening/ mould Wiping down visible condensation. Report it immediately if an extractor fan stops working – NEVER turn the extractor off, or you may be liable for damages, if you do so.

Shower head

De-scaling regularly (where necessary in hard water areas) – all tenants have a duty of care under Legionella risk management.

Washing machine (where supplied)

Cleaning the soap dispenser, door rubber trim and filter regularly.

Tumble dryer (where supplied)

Cleaning the filter regularly

Noise

Noise nuisance is taken very seriously and Right Step Property Group will not hesitate to take action against any tenant who causes a nuisance.

- If you have a complaint about nuisance or anti-social behaviour, in the first instance try to deal with the matter by discussing it in a polite and tactful way with the person causing the nuisance.

- It is possible that the person does not realise that they, or a member of their family are causing you a problem.

- If the above doesn’t help, please contact your Property Manager for advice.