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 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 most recent set of submitted accounts, in addition we will ask for three months bank accounts.
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 our more in the following blog:
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.
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.
You will need to cancel the standing order at the end of your tenancy when all your rents have been paid up to date.
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
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.
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.
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 21/22 academic year. You just need to have a 52-week contract, and all students on the tenancy included. /