A.R.E.L

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Accompanied Viewings

We interview our applicants and meet them at the properties which allow us to match tenants to suitable premises and to meet their criteria. It is also essential for you to know what items will remain in the property and what your responsibilities are. For example, who looks after the garden, parking arrangements, insurance cover etc.

Assistance with Forms and Documents

All documentation will be carefully explained to ensure you fully understand the legal implications before signing a tenancy agreement and committing to a tenancy. The initial money required, which must be the equivalent to cash, will be detailed and a time and date arranged for you to pay. It is important that you attend the inventory check-in so that you can agree to any amendments and we recommend that you keep the document in a safe place as it forms the basis of any claims for damages at the end of the tenancy.

Safety Regulations

We ensure that all gas appliances are safety checked annually and you will be given a current certificate at the start of a tenancy. The electrical equipment must also be safe and we strongly recommend to our clients that the appliances are periodically checked by a qualified electrician. The furniture and furnishings must always comply with the safety regulations.

What type of Tenancy

Our tenancy agreements have been carefully drafted using simple language and will clearly state what type of tenancy you have, and which party carries which responsibilities.

Giving Notice

The rules differ with tenancy type. If you are in any doubt, you should contact your nearest A.R.E.L Head office where our highly trained staff will be able to advise you.

Your landlord is liable for most maintenance and repairs to the property, but may have retained A.R.E.L to arrange these on his / her behalf. If so, you should notify the branch of any problems you notice. If we aren't managing the property, you should contact your landlord directly.

Routine housework, such as cleaning, gardening, renewal of light bulbs etc will be your responsibility.

Many tenants are concerned about their security deposit which is held to cover the cost of any damages. By renting through A.R.E.L, your deposit is protected by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents, operated by an independent body, ensures that only legitimate claims are made against deposits, and offering a dispute resolution service for cases where the parties cannot reach agreement, avoiding expensive and time-consuming Court action. Therefore should a dispute arise at the end of the tenancy you will be able to contact the Ombudsman who will settle the matter at no cost to a tenant. We also offer a comprehensive Contents Insurance policy specially designed for tenants which includes damage to the landlord's contents and alternative accommodation should the property become uninhabitable.

A.R.E.L prides itself on being a highly specialised dedicated Residential Lettings and Property Management Agent with a commitment of being a first class provider of high quality services to our clients and tenants.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1993
The above regulations were amended in 1993 and set new levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture and furnishings. It is an offence to 'supply' in the course of business any furniture which does not comply with the regulations. This includes supplying furniture as part of a residential property to be let.

The regulations apply to; sofas, beds, bed-heads, garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling, scatter cushions and pillows, stretch or loose covers for furniture or other similar items. The regulations do not apply to: curtains, carpets, bedclothes (including duvets and mattress covers)

Any furniture manufactured after March 1990 is likely to comply, but if the appropriate labels are not on the furniture, compliance is in doubt and checks should be made with the manufacturer.

The Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998
These regulations first came into effect 31st October 1994 to ensure that gas appliances are properly installed and maintained in a safe condition so as to avoid the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure that ALL gas appliances and gas installation pipe work owned by them are checked for safety at lease once a year by British Gas or a member of the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). In addition accurate records of the safety inspections and any work carried out must kept. The current safety certificate must always be available for any tenant prior to them taking occupation of a property.

Faulty equipment can lead to death and a conviction of unlawful killing on a landlord. Under the regulations any appliance that does not conform can be disconnected.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) regulations 1994
The above regulations impose an obligation on a landlord to ensure that all electrical appliances left as part of a let property are safe. Cabling, fuses and plugs should also be inspected and replaced where necessary to the correct rating for that particular appliance.

Other legislation covering electrical installations is currently in force and we strongly recommend that all appliances are regularly checked and serviced.

The Building Regulations 1991 - Smoke Alarms
The 1991 Building Regulations require that all properties built since June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated interlinked smoke detectors/alarms on each floor. Such regulations regarding older properties do not exist but we strongly recommend that smoke alarms are fitted in all let properties and are regularly checked to ensure they are in full working order.