We want to make that experience the best it can be. We take our role as intermediary very seriously which is why we have developed our range of services with tenants in mind.
We worked out early on that our tenants shared the same problems and worries as landlords albeit, from a different perspective.
These worries included;
That is why we created a company where tenants are at the heart of everything we do. We know that if our tenants are happy and managing their tenancies, then our landlords will be happy too.
The main priorities that our landlords have,are that we find tenants who will look after their properties, don’t cause problems in the neighbourhood and pay their rent on time.
Booking a viewing is simple and can be done anytime online or over the phone. We’ll work around you in order to agree a suitable time.
We provide quality accommodation and ensure compliance with the latest legislation, regularly inspecting properties.
Our repair reporting system is available through smartphone, tablet and computer without download.
Key features
Holding Deposit (per tenancy): One week's rent. This is to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right-to-Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement (and / or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).
Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent under £50,000 per year): Five weeks' rent. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.
Security Deposit (per tenancy. Rent of £50,000 or over per year): Six weeks' rent. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy.
Unpaid Rent: Interest at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non-payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.
Lost Key(s) or other Security Device(s): Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a charge of £15 per hour (inc. VAT) for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s).
Variation of Contract (Tenant's Request):£50 (inc. VAT) per agreed variation. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord's instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Change of Sharer (Tenant's Request): £50 (inc. VAT) per replacement tenant or any reasonable costs incurred if higher. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord's instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks, deposit registration as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Early Termination (Tenant's Request): Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to the landlord's costs in re-letting the property as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy.
If you have any questions on our fees, please ask a member of staff.
We will ask for your address history for the last three years and we will complete a credit check on each individual tenant. We will also require a reference from your existing Landlord or Letting Agent (if you are currently renting) as well as a written reference from your employer. If you are self-employed, we will ask for an accountant’s reference and the most recent set of submitted accounts, in addition, we will ask for three months bank accounts.
We will also require your Right to Rent documentation as detailed here: Landlord’s guide to right to rent checks (publishing.service.gov.uk)
The tenancy that you sign will be an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, which means that you can stay in the property for the period of the contract (provided you meet all the obligations of the tenancy). If the landlord wishes to end the tenancy you will be given two months’ notice to quit the premises.
Please be advised that during the Covid - 19 Pandemic, the Notice period has been extended to three months notice.
We have an obligation to conduct regular inspections of all tenanted accommodation. This is to ensure the property is not in need of repair, that you are looking after the property and discuss any problems you may be experiencing. You will be given at least 24 hours notification when an inspection is due to be conducted.
We will inspect all properties at least once every 6 months.
Please know, that property inspections are for your benefit as much as your Landlord's, so your cooperation is encouraged - after all, it's not very often and the Inspector may pick up issues for your Landlord to address that you had not even been aware of.
We found that many tenants worry about repairs, often believing, that landlords don’t care or that they will increase the rent if they have to spend money on a repair. We are landlords ourselves and know this is not true for most landlords. Therefore, we have invested heavily in a 24/7 reporting system with full back end support. All of our tenants can get the latest advice and easily report a repair or maintenance issue in over 32 languages at any time.
Key features
24 hours / 365 days per year
Choose from over 42 Languages
Out of Hours Emergency Response
“How to Guides” where you can fix the problem yourself
Quicker Repairs and Maintenance
Response to Request Within 5 Minutes
In the event of any maintenance being required, simply, complete the online Repair Report at the earliest possible time in order to minimise any problem that could subsequently arise. Your Landord will be notified straight away of the issue, and their instruction sought to rectify the problem as soon as possible. Simple precautionary procedures should then be taken by you/the tenant, to prevent any additional problem arising e.g. turn off water at the stopcock if necessary, isolate electric or gas supplies at the mains where required.
You cannot have any pets unless you have written permission from your Landlord/Norman Galloway Lettings.
You must consult us prior to obtaining a pet and submit a written request to have a pet stating age/type/breed.
Find out more in the following blogs:
YES! You should consider taking out contents insurance to cover accidental damage to the Landlord’s contents, buildings, fixtures and fittings. The landlord is responsible for insuring the building.
You are also advised to consider contents insurance for your own possessions.
The Deposit normally equates to 5 weeks rent and will be held throughout the tenancy in a government-approved deposit scheme and will be returned at the end of the tenancy subject to the property being left in a good condition without any claim for potential damages beyond fair wear and tear.
Take a look at our blog for a bit more guidance on what is considered as fair wear and tear:
As a tenant, you are responsible for ensuring that the rent is paid in full and on time. We advise our tenants to consider setting up a standing order for the rent each month, which will mean payments are paid directly from your bank to our designated account. We advise our tenants to set up their standing order to leave their account a couple of days before the rent is due, to ensure that it appears in the landlord/agent account as cleared funds on the day that the rent is due.
You will need to cancel the standing order at the end of your tenancy when all your rents have been paid up to date.
It is also worth considering, that once you enter into a tenancy agreement, you are liable for paying the rent for the duration of that tenancy. Whether you live there or not. This will be either at the end of the fixed term or at the end of the notice period and once you have surrendered all keys. Please be mindful that if you are intending to leave the property you must give the landlord/agent the appropriate notice in writing. Do not fall into the trap of assuming that it is 4 weeks notice/a months notice. Most tenancies require a full rental period notice to quit after the fixed term has ended and the tenancy has moved on to a periodic tenancy. That means you must give notice in writing at the latest the day before your rent is due to end your tenancy by the end of the next month.
If you are paying your rent through benefits, don't assume that just because you have moved into a new property and changed your claim to that address that you are no longer liable for the rent at the previous address. You are and your landlord has every right to chase it through the court process. This may result in a CCJ if you do not pay your arrears.
If you are finding yourself struggling to pay your rent, seek advice straight away. Also, notify your landlord/agent. Whilst you are liable to pay your full rent regardless of your personal circumstances, your landlord may agree to a payment plan. They may also be able to point you in the right direction to get help and guidance regarding your financial situation.
If your financial situation has changed significantly and is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, you may wish to reassess your affordability to live at that address.
Utility bills, including Council Tax, is your responsibility unless stated otherwise in the tenancy agreement. You can change your energy supplier if you wish, however you are not permitted to change the type of meter, for example from a pre-payment meter to a credit meter and visa versa.
You will be required to ensure that all utility accounts are closed when your tenancy ends and that your utility bills are all finalised and paid in full.
Students will need to provide proof that they are students in order to claim the Council Tax exemption.
Once the Landlord has agreed to accept your application (subject to references and contract) we will ask for a holding deposit equating to one week’s rent. Upon successfully passing the referencing stage of the application, the holding deposit paid will count towards the total balance of rent and deposit owed before the tenancy start date. You risk losing your deposit in the event that; you provide inaccurate or misleading information on your application, fail a right to rent check, do not take all reasonable steps to enter into a tenancy agreement or unilaterally withdraw your application.
It’s not a problem if you are claiming Housing Benefit/Universal Credit, so please don’t worry. The main advice we can give you, is to complete the application form honestly and include as many details as possible about all of the income that you get.
We will look at the Local Authority Housing Rates that you will be entitled to, so it is important to tell us all about who will be living in the property. This will help us to assist you with your application.
Click the following link to read our blog and find out more:
Please don’t be worried when we ask you for proof of your ‘Right to Rent’ as the law requires us to do this. Every tenant that rents a property has to do this in England. Even if you are a British Citizen. Where you are not an EU Citizen you will be required to provide a vaild visa. Your Landlord has to have proof of the 'Right To Rent checks' for all adults living in the property.
Right To Rent Approved Accepted Documents
List A (Group 1): Acceptable single documents
List A (Group 2): Acceptable documents (any 2)
A letter which:
(a) is issued by a further or higher education institution in the United Kingdom;
(b) confirms that the holder has been accepted on a current course of studies at that institution; and
(c) states the name of the institution and the name and duration of the course.
Option 1
A passport showing that the holder is a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, or the United States of America.
AND
The latest information on Right to Rent checks can be found here:
Landlord’s guide to right to rent checks (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Anti social behaviour can be annoying at best and totally life changing at worst.
At Norman Galloway Lettings we are very clear on our views around this. Put simply, we operate a nil tolerance approach. Our tenants should have the peaceful enjoyment of their home and their community without feeling the ill effects of anti social behaviour by others. We cannot condone any of our tenants causing anti social behaviour and upsetting those living around them, and nor do we want any of our tenants being the victims of such unacceptable behaviour.
The law takes a very stern view when addressing anti social behaviour.
Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011-
Jenrick “courts will carefully prioritise the most egregious cases, including anti-social behaviour, fraud, and domestic abuse, ensuring landlords are able to progress the most serious cases, such as those involving anti-social behaviour and other crimes.”
Wikipedia definition:
Types of anti social behaviour can include but are not limited to:
If you are experiencing the effects of anti social behaviour you can find our policy and help here:
This might seem like an obvious question, it is however hugely important to know the answer.
Depending on where you live, each Local Authority has; different days, different coloured bins and different rules.
As a tenant you are responsible for the disposal of waste in the appropriate bins and putting them out and bringing them back in, on the correct days. Fines can be issued if not.
Recycling responsibly is hugely important, and your Local Authority can provide stickers to help you with this. If you repeatedly put the wrong waste in your bins you may find that your Local Authority will refuse to empty them or may fine you.
Some areas charge for garden waste bins and others don't, so it is worth checking if you have lawns etc. Some Local Authorities collect glass, others don't and you will need to take it for recycling at your local recycling centre. These can often be found in supermarket car parks etc.
When you take on your tenancy with Norman Galloway, you will be advised when your bin days are. You can also find out from your neighbours and the Local Authority if you so wish.
This is a tricky one. In theory, the answer is 'No', it is your choice if you provide a guarantor or not.
That being said, if you are wanting to stand out from the many other applications that an agent will receive, I would definitely try and have a guarantor. A UK homeowner guarantor will strengthen your application further.
A guarantor is a person who will agree to pay your rent if you are unable to and will cover any costs incurred by you for example damage etc. Your guarantor can be anyone you know – a friend or relative – who meets the income requirements of the property and passes all of the reference checks. They will need to sign the tenancy agreement along with you if your tenancy is being set up by Norman Galloway Lettings.
Some landlords will not consider any application without. If you cannot get a guarantor, my best advice would be, to present your application as fully as possible to show that you are going to be a viable tenant regardless. This will include; proof of how you can afford the rent, references from previous/current landlord, employer reference, etc.
Another option might be to consider one of the rent guarantee schemes.
There are a number of rent guarantor schemes out there, and here at Norman Galloway Lettings, we want to make things as easy as possible for you to find the perfect tenancy. If you do not have a guarantor and you would like more information on how you may obtain one via a rent guarantor scheme please follow the link below; Norman Galloway Lettings will make the referral for you should you wish to use this service for one of our tenancies.
Norman Galloway Lettings want to make this easy for you. Being a student is likely to be the first time that you are living away from home. To that aim, we have partnered with Unihomes, an established provider of all inclusive packages to students across the UK. They are able to offer all-inclusive packages to students, below is the rate card for the 22/23 academic year. You just need to have a 52-week contract, and all students on the tenancy included. /
It's really important that we can keep in touch with you and that we have up to date email and phone numbers for you. Lot's of our tenants like to use Whatsapp as they find it quick and easy to use on their phone. We are happy for you to get in touch with us via our Whatsapp 07458313273 if you prefer. Do, however, ensure that you use the correct repair reporting link if you have a maintenance and repair issue.
If you’re renting, here’s what you should know.
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
If you live in self-contained accommodation, such as a separate flat or annexe, you need your own TV Licence.
A standard colour TV Licence costs £159. price correct at 31/07/2021
Find out about different ways to pay.
Need more help or advice? See our frequently asked questions below.
If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room you’ll need a TV Licence
Each tenant needs their own TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device or to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. This licence will also cover communal areas.
If you have a joint tenancy agreement
One TV Licence may cover the whole house.
However, there may be other reasons why you need your own separate licences, such as whether or not you have exclusive access to a toilet or washing facilities. If you are unsure whether this applies to you please contact us (in step 2 of the form click the 'Contact us' button at the bottom) to find out more information.
If you’re a lodger and have a relationship with the homeowner – for example, a family member, common-law partner, a nanny, au pair or housekeeper.
You’re covered by the homeowner’s TV Licence if they have one, but only if you live in the same building. If you live in self-contained accommodation, such as a separate flat or annexe, you need your own separate licence.
If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please contact us (in step 2 of the form click the 'Contact us' button at the bottom) to find out more information.
Your property needs to be covered by a TV Licence, see Residential landlord page for more information.
If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.
The above information is taken directly from tvlicencing.co.uk
Changing lightbulbs is a tenant responsibility. Here is a short YouTube video that will hopefully make this an easy task and keep your costs to a minimum.
There's nothing worse than the weather turning cold and our radiators not working as they should. If your heating is on full and your radiators are hot at the bottom and colder at the top, it is likely that there is air trapped in them and they need to be bled. Here is a quick link that will show you how to do it.
Tenants can often have issues with water not going down the shower or bath drain. This is another one of those jobs that is a tenant responsibility and be resolved fairly simply. Here is a short video that you may find helpful.
If you are renting your home and your landlord provides you with a freezer, it is still your job as a tenant to ensure that it is defrosted regularly and definitely at the end of your tenancy. If the drawers break as a result of your failure to do this, the cost to replace them will be yours.
Here's a short video that you may find helpful;
It is so annoying when your sink gets blocked or the water doesn't go down very quickly. This can be avoidable in most instances, even if we don't like to admit it, by being careful not to let food debris or fat go down the plughole. It is oh so tempting to pour fatty liquids or fat left in pans down the sink. This is a huge no no as it builds up in the pipes and becomes rock solid. The result is a blocked sink. If you find that your sink is clogged, here's a short video that may help:
'Thank you Diane, proud to be with you...
Roberto'
After completing a very successful week with us, 15 year old Yuvraj, who quite frankly, was exceptional when it came to professionalism and fitting in, decided to show his gratitude with stunning flowers and a box of chocolates.
You are welcome any time Yuvraj.
You may have noticed that we weren't quite quick enough to get pics of the chocolates!
It is always difficult when dealing with historic rent arrears, but oh so rewarding when you recoup every last penny for the landlord.
It really is so lovely when you provide a home to a teenage mum and toddler and you know that the extra mile you go is genuinely appreciated.
'Thank you for the update we will definitely use this service when required
Many thanks
Liz'
"Thank you, you’ve been an amazing agency!"
Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness, Value
Been in touch with Diane for the past few months in regards to a new property I'm moving into next year and she's been extremely kind and helpful with all my enquiries. Diane always makes sure she meets my needs within a very short amount of time and I couldn't have asked for someone better! Would definitely recommend Normal Galloway, they're so so helpful and extremely professional!
Positive: Professionalism
I have nothing but positive feedback on Norman Galloway Lettings. Diane and Terry have been very supportive of any issues I may have had as a landlord. I have now instructed them to manage several more of our properties especially as there is a growing amount of regulations surrounding not only landlords but tenants. I have found them to be very knowledgeable and helpful and are always at the end of the phone. They have also helped me with the selective licencing process which has gone through with no issues. So if you want a good reliable agent then look no further.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with Diane on many occasions and would certainly recommend Diane and Norman Galloway to any student looking to rent, professional or landlords looking to let. They will be given a five-star service. Very professional and passionate.
Wow 🤩 amazing people at Norman Galloway lettings,Dianne is an absolute diamond, They are all very professional and very kind-hearted, and have really helped me out in the last 7months.
I have recently helped them out by holding onto some keys for them and passing them to the next person etc .
So I got a knock at the door today and I was amazed it was a lovely gift from Dianne and the rest of the team it was a box of chocolates and a lovely card to state how much they were thankful for my help, I couldn’t believe my eyes, such amazing people had thought of me and sent me a gift and it really touched my heart I even teared up a little,
Thank you so much for all of you at Gallaway lettings I’d highly recommend you any day, much love Samantha
So nice to receive an email like this from a very well respected large portfolio landlord.
I can't recommend Norman Galloway enough! Everyone there has been super hands-on and helpful from the get-go, and dealing with any queries I've has promptly and professionally! All-round good stuff.
