Tenants
Our friendly and approachable team are here to help you find your next home and help support a stress free tenancy. If you are looking to rent a flat or house in Hove or Brighton, the quickest way is often to choose the area that do and don't interest you. Think about what you would want close at hand, like a station, the beach, bars or buses. If you are not familiar with the areas look at a Brighton and Hove area map guide.
Are you looking for furnished or unfurnished?
Most tenants prefer an unfurnished property as they like to bring their own furniture and put their own stamp on the property. However, some of our properties also come part and fully furnished. You will find a lot of these in the city centre are often furnished. They can also include bills. They are often in a great location. Often a short walk from most shops etc.
We manage a wide range of properties from studio flats through to large residential houses. If you cannot find what you are looking for straight away please feel free to register your details on our home page as new properties are added to the market regularly. We will always try to accommodate what you are looking for and match you with the perfect property.
Is it a flat in Brighton to rent or a house in Hove that you are looking for? Whilst we might be a letting agent in Hove we cover the whole of Brighton and Hove so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Choosing the area you want to live
Before looking for a new home, it is important you are sure about the area you want to live maybe near central Brighton or even the heart of Hove. Think about what you would like close to you, train station, pubs, restaurants, sea views, bus stop. If you’re not familiar with the area we will be happy to assist you. We have lots of student houses in the city centre which are a great location. We also have one bedroom flats to rent that are also a short walk from Brighton town centre. These properties can also have the bills included.
We have included a new feature on our website which enables you to see how much the council tax would be monthly and annually for each property & what band it falls into. This will be shown at the bottom of each property description.
We also provide the distance to the nearest train station, school and supermarket which we hope will be useful and help make your search easier. Are you looking for a flat to rent in Brighton or a house to live in Hove? Both have their own attributes. Brighton is a much more busy part of the city with lots of bars, shops and restaurants where as Hove is more relaxed and laid back. However, they both have the beach in common and you couldn’t live in a better city. Brighton has a thriving city centre that is a great location to live. Most of Brighton city attractions are a short walk from each other, from flats to rent through to student houses.
Providing a UK Homeowner Guarantor
As an agency we ask all tenants regardless of their earnings to provide a UK homeowner as a guarantor. This provides our landlord with security ensuring your rent will be paid on time and in full.
We understand that providing a guarantor doesn’t suit everyone. However, we have found since 1993 that this is the most secure way in order to ensure our landlords receive the rent payments each month on time. We do not carry out any form of referencing.
Alternatively, some of our landlords are happy to accept 6 or 12 months’ rent in advance instead of providing a guarantor but this is at the landlord discretion. We understand it is difficult to provide a UK homeowner guarantor who owns their own home in the United Kingdom. We appreciate more than most that not all tenants have this. Unfortunately, it is something that our landlords require especially in these uncertain times. Why not speak to a friend, a family member or someone that you trust that would be able to help you. You might find it is easier than you think.
Arranging a viewing of a property
Once you have made an enquiry for one of our properties a member of the Harringtons team will arrange a viewing with you and will meet you at the property to show you around.
Should you require advice on alternative options we will recommend other available properties suiting your requirements. We can also add you to our property mailing list so you’re notified as and when new properties matching your search criteria come on the market.
It is important that you know the area that you want before you go and look at properties. It is obviously a big decision, looking for a property and wanting to move to a set area. Why not have a drive round the area or even look on the internet to see it has everything you need. Once you have decided don’t hesitate to contact us and we are more than happy to book you in. What are you really looking for in a property? Do you need appliances, furniture or storage? When do you want move in and whom will you be moving in with? These are all questions you might want to think about before arranging any type of viewing. We are happy to help you make the decision as easy as possible.
Securing the property
Once you have viewed the property and if you’re keen to proceed, one of Harrington’s Negotiators will guide you through the process to secure the property. You will be required to put down a reservation fee in order to take the property off of the market. This fee is deductible off of your initial move in money.
Once the tenancy has been agreed with the landlord it will be passed to our Administration Team who will deal with your tenancy going forward.
In order to ensure the process is dealt with as quick as possible we send all of our paperwork electronically via Docusign to avoid any delays printing and sending back forms. We will also ensure any correspondence is replied to within 24 hours at the latest.
It is important for your own peace of mind that you deal with the paperwork as soon as is possible. Unfortunately, there will be forms to fill out but we have made this as plain and simple as possible for you. We are here to help if you don’t understand anything you need but you could always read the latest rent guide from the government here.
On Your Move in Day
Once all your paperwork and move in money has been paid and completed we will arrange for you to come to our office on your move in date to collect your keys. You would have already signed all of the tenancy documentation prior to your move in day online so on your move in day all there is to do is collect your keys.
If you have any questions on your move in day, do not hesitate to contact us and we will help you the best we can.
It is always important that you try and look as far ahead as possible when wanting to move into a property. Have you arranged the gas, water or electricity? What about the internet, have you looked at who can provide this for you and what your options are? If you are a student and looking to move in we can help you with splitting the bills so don’t hesitate to contact us. Have you thought about employing a move in company. Why not click here to find out what savings we can help you with?
Inventory
An inventory is a detailed inspection of the property, describing all the contents within it and their condition.
If we arrange your landlords inventory this will be carried out before you move into the property. The inventory will be sent to you roughly 24 hours prior to your tenancy start date. This is to ensure it is as accurate as possible.
You will then be asked to sign it before collecting your keys, however as stated in the inventory you will have 2 weeks from your move in date to make any changes and return them to us.
The inventory will include a written report which will document the condition and any details of the property. We will also provide you with supporting inventory photos.
The Deposit
Your landlord is legally responsible to protect your deposit by registering it with one of the tenancy deposit schemes licensed by the government. If we register your deposit on behalf of your landlord then it will be registered with The Deposit Protection Service.
By registering your deposit it will mean that there is an independent means to resolve any dispute that may arise at the end of the tenancy between the landlord and the tenant.
If you have used Reposit then you’re already protected and you also have the same access to an independent adjudicator should you need it at the end of your tenancy.
We do provide a no deposit option called Reposit. This means that you pay an insurance company a certain amount to cover your deposit as a one off fee. There may be other fees payable when you come for renewal but don’t hesitate to look at their website here that will explain it for you. It is an easier option rather than having to come up with a large sum.
Renewing or ending your tenancy
We will review all of our tenancies around 3 months before the agreed expiry date. This allows time to process any negotiated changes from the landlord or tenant such as rental increases, tenancy term or property maintenance. Should a tenant or landlord wish to end the tenancy we will guide you through the process of what is required.
As per all of our paperwork, our renewal documents will be emailed to you via Docusign. This allows the documents to be signed in a matter of minutes.
Not sure what you wish to do with regard to renewing your contract then why not discuss it with us? Are you thinking of moving and looking for a bigger property or even down sizing? Want to have an outside space such as a balcony or a garden or move from a flat to a house then don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be able to help you.
Lettings terms explained
Lettings terms can often be confusing. Please find below an explanation for some of the jargon that is often used.
TENANCY AGREEMENT
The contractual agreement between the landlord and tenant containing terms and obligations for both parties in regards to the house to let. The below link to the Governments website explains this in further detail –
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting-tenancy-agreements
GUARANTOR
A person who signs a legal document agreeing to pay the rent in the event that the tenant defaults. They will also be responsible for covering any costs relating to any damage caused by the tenant. A guarantor is usually a parent or family member.
RENT
The monthly payment by the tenant to the landlord for use of the property.
NOTICE
Written communication by either the landlord or the tenant of their intention to end the tenancy. The tenancy agreement includes the length of legal notice required.
NOTICE TO QUIT
The date by which the Landlord needs to serve notice on the tenant in a fixed term tenancy. This date is normally two months before the end of the tenancy.
INVENTORY
A condition report of the property to include all fixtures, fittings and cleanliness. Used as evidence of the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy. This is to determine whether the tenants have caused any damage during the tenancy above normal wear and tear.
DEPOSIT
A fixed sum of money taken at the start of the tenancy as security for the landlord for any damage or arrears at the end of the tenancy.
SWAP OVER
The legal transfer of the tenancy from one person to another. Only certain tenants have the right to do this. Most tenancies will exclude tenants from assigning the lease.
SUB-LETTING
Where the tenant rents/leases all or part of the property to a third party.
ABANDONMENT
The desertion of a property by the tenant with the intent of never returning or taking up possession in the future often without notice.
CONTENTS INSURANCE
An insurance taken out by the tenant for the contents of the property. The landlord does not cover contents of the property or your own furniture, just the building. Please see link below for some further information on this –
SURRENDER
The giving up of your tenancy and handing back possession of the property to the landlord.
WEAR AND TEAR
Loss, damage, or depreciation resulting from ordinary use and exposure over time. Damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal wear or ageing.
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