FAQs
How do we set up a viewing of a property?
Simply select the property you are interested in from our website and then either Telephone us on 0114 2660 660, Email us on info@doveproperties.co.uk , or use the "Viewing Enquiry Form" on our website. Suggest days and times when you are available, and we will contact you to set up a viewing appointment. One of the Dove Properties team will meet you at the property and show you around. Any questions you have you should then direct to the office. We ask that you do not just go round to the property and knock on the door without an appointment. We like to do professional conducted viewings and make sure our existing tenants have had notice that we are coming. Where possible we prefer to show all proposed tenants around the property in just one visit so as to minimise disruption to any current tenants.
Is my deposit protected under Tenancy Deposit Protection Legislation?
Yes, your deposit is protected under government "Tenancy Deposit" regulations, typically we use www.mydeposits.co.uk
Do the properties have a Gas Certificate?
Yes all properties have a current Gas Safety Certificate. They are checked annually.
Do we need to get Insurance?
We advise all our tenants to strongly consider having adequate insurance in place to cover your own possessions and any accidental damage to the landlords fixtures and fittings.
Where can i see a copy of the government "How to Rent" Booklet"?
Please see the below download:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent
During Your Tenancy:
In order to coincide with Landlord mortgage dates, its important that tenant rental payments must be paid on the dates as agreed with ourselves for your property and on the tenancy agreement.
With regards to property repairs and maintenance, if you are in a property managed day to day by “your landlord”, please contact them directly for their instructions. If however you are in a property managed by Dove, please see below.
For all Maintenance Queries and requests for properties managed by Dove, please ensure you submit your request in writing / using the specific request form - see below.
If you suspect a Gas leak please immediately call:
- The National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999. https://cadentgas.com/home
For information on Electrical Power cuts affecting your area please visit:
Should you have a major water leak, please locate the mains water stop cock, usually in the cellar or in the kitchen under or near the sink, and turn the water off (usually turn tap clockwise) and then drain the system by running the taps into the sinks. You may want to fill up some pans/kettles of water for use before you do so
Should tenants have damaged the property out of office hours, and where it is not the responsibility of the landlord to repair or replace - then the tenants should arrange an exact "like for like" repair with a local contractor from yell.com. For example, a blocked toilet, smashed window, inappropriate activation of fire or burglar alarm etc. The tenants are responsible for paying such items to the contractor.
For any issues out of hours, If you are experiencing boiler or heating problems and the property has “British Gas” "Property Heat Care" or “Failsafe Heating” boiler repair cover then you may be able to contact them out of hours. Please call them direct for emergency assistance and quote your property address. Often a boiler may simply need the water presume topping up or the controls adjusting. Various "how to" videos can be found on YouTube. Alternatively, please wait for office hours.
If you have lost your keys you should make alternative arrangements and wait for our office to be open. In case of a break-in or other emergency lock issues you can attempt to call a local locksmith (for "managed" properties). If the cause of the lockout is tenant fault you will need to pay them directly on site.
Please note that an emergency is classed as when the incident is dangerous or life-threatening, or may cause serious damage to your house or adjoining properties. If your issue is not classed as an “emergency” you should wait until office hours e.g., lost keys, locked out of bedroom etc. Any false or non-emergency call-outs may be refused or subject to a fee. Contractors typically charge higher costs when out of regular office hours so you may wish to wait until normal office hours.
In extreme circumstances, tenants of "managed" properties only, may contact a contractor direct (e.g., by Yell.com) to organise a repair out of hours. Tenants will be reimbursed if the charge is justified, billable to the landlord (e.g., not tenant fault), and a receipt is kept and provided to us. Alternatively, please call the emergency services.
If you are a tenant of a “managed” property (where Dove are the property managers, not the landlord) and are corresponding out of hours in relation to an dangerous or life threatening emergency you may be able to contact emergencies@doveproperties.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond as soon as and where possible.
End of Tenancy:
Subject to your tenancy agreement obligations, you are required to carry out the following:
Keys and Final Property Inspection:
Once you have a definite date for the final person to be leaving the property for good, contact us to make an appointment for you to drop off your keys and to arrange a final inspection
Cleaning and Rubbish Removal:
Make sure the whole of the property is clean, tidy throughout for the inspection. The main charges against deposits are typically due to cleaning and rubbish removal so please make sure you do this thoroughly.
Utility Bills:
Gas, Electric, Water bills etc must be paid in full up to the end date of your contract. Do not disconnect the services to the property but tell the providers that it is the end of your tenancy and that new tenants are moving in. If your property is let to on an "Bills Inclusive" basis then please disregard the relevant bills.
Mail Redirection:
To be sure that you receive your future mail, please have it re-directed at the Post Office. This will help to protect you from possible identity theft. Unfortunately, neither we nor the incoming tenants will be held responsible for the re-direction or collection of your mail.
Permitted Tenant Charges in accordance with the Tenant Fee Act 2019:
In addition to the rent, we only charge the following permitted payments:
- Deposits – a maximum of 5 weeks rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above.
- Contract variation, novation, amendment at the tenant’s request, and where agreed by the Landlord e.g. change of occupant: £50 inclusive of VAT per instance
- Rental payments overdue by more than 14 days will be subject to interest at the rate of 3% over the Bank of England Base Rate calculated from the date the payment was due up until the date the payment was received
- Payment for the reasonable cost of any lost keys(s) or security device(s)
- Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with any allowable early termination of the tenancy, if agreed by the Landlord (capped at the Landlord’s loss or the agents reasonably incurred costs)
- Payment of the reasonable costs incurred as a result of any breach of the terms of the tenancy by the tenant
- Utility, communication services, payable to the provider where applicable e.g. gas, electricity, telephone, broadband, TV license, council tax etc.
- Any other permitted payments not included above, as allowable under the Tenant Fees Act 2019
Please note we are members of:
- CMP Client Money Protect, NRLA
- Independent Redress Available from the Property Ombudsman (Lettings) registration number D6774.
Our Client Money Protect certificate can be viewed here.
Please note we do not accept cash and payments should be made by standing order / bacs. We may receive a referral payment from Notify for each customer introduced to them for their Utilities service. Other providers of similar services are available.
Be advised that in some cases we will just advertise properties on an "Introduction only" basis for landlords where we have no involvement in the contract signing. In these circumstances they may have different information to those above.
Due to recently introduced "Right to Rent" Immigration legislation we may now need to carry out identity checks on all applicants. All prospective tenants will be asked to provide documentary proof of their "right to rent".
Please note that Dove Properties and Estates may receive a referral payment of £35 from Unihomes for each customer introduced to them for their Utilities service. We may also receive a referral fee from Notify for customers introduced to their Utility services. We do not recommend Unihomes, Notify or any other providers of similar services are available.
Contracts are legally binding for the full duration of the contract, so you should be sure of your plans before you sign for a property.
Please contact us on info@doveproperties.co.uk should you require more information.
