Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

 

If you’re thinking about renting a property with us or are already a tenant you might have a few questions that need answered. Please check through all the FAQs below and if there is something new you need to ask us, please do not hesitate to fill the online enquiry form below or contact us on 01274 745 885.

 

Before Your Tenancy

We insist that all Tenants view the property prior to signing a Tenancy Agreement to avoid disappointment.

Present Tenants are obliged to allow prospective Tenants to view the premises. However, we insist that any inconvenience caused is kept to a minimum. All viewings at Browntree are strictly by appointment only and must be accompanied by a lettings negotiator. Accompanied viewings are limited to three per appointment and we therefore ask you that you carefully shortlist the properties you are interested in prior to booking an appointment. All appointments booked require 24 hours prior to viewing to give us ample time to give our tenants notice of our visit.

 

All our Tenancies end 30th June of any given year. So if you sign for 1st August, your Tenancy will end 30th June and you will have a 11 month Contract. Alternatively, if you sign for 1st October, again your Tenancy will end 30th June and you will have an 9 month Contract. We do allow shorter tenancies in some of our properties. To find out more, please contact our friendly team of Lettings Consultants on 01274 745 885.

We are unable to reserve properties. Signing Tenancies is carried out strictly on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

If you’d like to sign for a property, then please first check out our easy step-by-step guide of Lettings Process.

On signing the Tenancy Agreement we will require the following:

  • Identification: Passport (+BRP/VISA). If you don’t have a passport we can accept a UK driver’s licence and birth certificate.
  • A proof of address: Official letters which show your address for the last three years. These letters must have your name and full address on the letter head (e.g. bank statement or utility bill).
  • Proof of employment/education: If you’re a professional you’ll need to provide a copy of your employment contract or a written reference from your line manager/HR. We will also contact them by phone to confirm employment. If you’re a student you must provide your student ID card or acceptance letter to the University (Student ID must be in date during tenancy).
  • Bank account: Information of your UK bank account from which you’ll pay your rent.
  • Guarantor: Information of a UK homeowner who will act as your guarantor.

A guarantor is someone over the age of 18 that agrees to take joint financial responsibility on a tenancy. Once they have signed to be a guarantor they are liable to pay the rent for the property if for any reason you are unable to pay what is owed. If you need someone to be a guarantor for you, the best people to ask are family members, friends, work colleagues or your employer. UK and International citizens are able to use a guarantor.

 

All Tenants are to provide a UK based parental guarantor for their payments. You must ensure in advance that your parents are willing to and are able to act as your guarantor.

If you cannot provide a guarantor you may pay the full years rent in advance for which you would receive a 5% discount. In some circumstances however, different conditions may apply and each case is examined individually on its own merit.

A full group of Tenants must be present on signing a Tenancy Agreement. We are unable to sign up incomplete groups or underlet our properties.

No, however there are times when the landlord will be willing to make shorter extensions e.g. from July to September (a 2-month extension on a 12-month contract).

This is at the discretion of the management, but generally this will only be possible if the tenant before you moves out early and also agrees to you moving in earlier.

Rent can be paid by setting up a standing order with your bank using the reference code provided on your tenancy agreement. Or you can pay in the office with either cash or cheque.

A structured payment plan will be explained to you when signing for a property.

Wi-Fi is included in the rental price for most of our properties, though please check in the property features as in some properties you will need to arrange your own Wi-Fi.

Our Tenancy Agreement is an Assured Short Hold Tenancy Agreement. This is a fixed agreement that you cannot quit by giving notice before the expiration date on the Tenancy Agreement. However, there is a possibility that you could be released from the Agreement if you can find a replacement Tenant. Under extreme circumstances, we may be able to assist you by advertising your room in our advertising literature wherever possible.

During Your Tenancy

You can collect your keys on the first day of your tenancy from our office or we can send a Lettings Consultant to meet you at the property.

No, all Browntree Properties accommodation is non-smoking. You may smoke outside in designated smoking areas/smoking bins.

 

Your apartment will be delivered sparkling clean. You are responsible for keeping your own space clean during your stay with us. However cleaners can be booked at our office whenever required at an additional cost. It’s our responsibility to keep the other communal areas like the reception and laundry clean.

Yes, due to the high standard at our residences we like to maintain the luxury living standard at all times therefore we like to check the condition of you apartment once a term. We’ll let you know when we’re planning to come and inspect.

If your apartment is found unclean or untidy, we’ll let you know what isn’t quite right by email or by leaving an inspection report for you. We’ll give you a few days to clean up but if the issues aren’t fixed, we’ll send in our own team of cleaners which you’ll be charged for.

Keeping on top of the state of your apartment means that we will see any issues early on, which will avoid any surprise bills and charges at the end of your contract.

Yes. All of our sites have a 24 hour laundry (charges apply), managed by ourselves.

Pets are not allowed at Browntree Properties so please do not bring any animals of any sort.

Yes. It’s your home so you can have guests staying over occasionally, but we would ask you to respect your fellow residents and let the accommodation staff know for safety and insurance purposes. You cannot sublet your room or apartment to another person.

Most tenants prefer to bring their own bedding so we do not provide this. Please remember to bring your own sheets, duvet, pillows etc when you move in. If this isn’t possible, we can always point you in the right direction of the nearest store. Or you can order a bedding pack online from Uni Kit Out and it’ll be ready and waiting for you when you move in!

Your room/apartment comes fully furnished with almost everything you’ll need so you do not need to bring your own furniture. Check out the ‘Property Feature’ section on each apartment type description for full details.

Many of our properties have bike storage, please check in the property features. If you are bringing a bike we recommend you invest in a good bike lock, register your bike, get your bike security marked and get your bike insured.

Our larger developments include a concierge service to sign for mail during working hours. If you live in a smaller property you can set your parcel delivery to a safe place instead.

Please visit our Online Maintenance Office here, where there is a step-by-step guide on how to report an issue and our Maintenance Team we will try to resolve as soon as possible.

Please email our Lettings Manager Maya Makki on maya@browntreeproperties.com and she will be in touch as soon as possible.

Rent can be paid by setting up a standing order with your bank using the reference code provided on your tenancy agreement. Or you can pay in the office with either cash or cheque.

A structured payment plan will be explained to you when signing for a property.

You will get your deposit back in full approximately 2 weeks after the end of your tenancy as long as the rent and bills are paid in full, the property is cleaned to a high standard and there are no damages (fair wear and tear is expected).

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