tenants

your  search for a rental property in london ends here

Looking for rental accommodation  can often be an unpleasant experience. It goes from one extreme to another, either you register with an agent and never hear from them again or they call you day and night offering properties which are wrong or out of your budget! Here at base we’re trying to change that.

Using a combination of email, SMS and telephone we aim to keep you notified of suitable properties on a regular basis without harassing you. We will call you around once per week to check that you are still looking and that our criteria are still correct.

If you wish, you can register online then log in as and when you want monitoring new properties and updating your profile as and when necessary.

Our passion is to provide an estate agency service based around customer service ensuring that we offer you quality, suitable properties in an informed and helpful way. We will explain the full application and tenancy process as well as all the financial obligations before you enter any agreement with us to avoid any nasty surprises. What’s more, we strive to keep our admin costs as low as possible and you will find we are one of the most reasonable companies in London. All this from a successful, regulated agent- you’ll wonder why you ever used another agent!

To find out what other people have said about the service from base, visit our feedback page!

So start looking now- either Register with us, call us or look through our properties online.

Renting Service Breakdown

• Register with base online or over the telephone- the first point of call is to register on the base database. You can register either online or by calling us on 020 7033 1901. The more information you give us the better we can help you find your dream property.
• Receive property alerts by email & SMS- Providing base with a valid email address and mobile number will enable us to notify you the moment we take on a new instruction that matches your criteria. This means, even if we can’t call you straight away, you will still be kept informed.
• Mobile property- our website is also now optimised for property hunters out and about. Whether on an iPhone, Blackberry or any other 3G/Wifi enabled handset applicants can now log in to a mobile version of our website. This stripped down site enables visitors to search our listings and bring up descriptions and photos. All this ensures people get to see your property immediately!
• Google Streetview- all of our property listings now feature Google Streetview. This fantastic internet tool allows applicants to explore the local area from the comfort of their chair. They are able to zoom in on the property and others around it and can explore the local streets with ease.
• Accompanied viewings- All viewings with base are accompanied by a negotiator. Usually we will arrange to meet you at the first property as this helps you assess where the property is and how good transport links are. If you are viewing numerous properties at one time, we will usually be able to transport you between properties. Our negotiators are highly trained so do feel free to ask questions about the property and surrounding area.
• Offers- Should you decide to offer on a property through base you will be required to place a Holding Deposit (2 week’s rent). We aim to get you a decision from the landlord as quickly as possible. If the offer is rejected the Holding Deposit will be returned in full.
• Holding Deposits- this is a standard part of renting a property in London. In order to show commitment to renting the property and have us remove it from the market you will be required to place a 2 week Holding Deposit with us prior to submitting an offer. You will also sign a Holding Deposit Agreement with us which will clearly detail the Terms & Conditions of this Deposit, your obligations and requirements and will outline the funds involved in the tenancy process. Any monies paid will go towards your final tenancy balance.
• Tenant Referencing- all applicants must undergo a referencing process. The criteria of this varies but will be confirmed prior to placing a Holding Deposit. Typically you will be referenced by FCC Paragon using their unique online application process. This usually takes 2-4 working days for a report to be completed and returned.
• Top-Up Holding Deposits- these are only required when securing a property more than 2 weeks before the start date. If this is the case, once your references have been completed, you will be required to ‘Top Up’ your Holding Deposit with another 2 weeks rent. No additional Holding Deposits will be required after this until your final tenancy balance becomes due. All monies go toward your final balance.
• Contracts- our standard tenancy agreement is an AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement) which is the usual documentation for any tenancies of over 6 months. Our typical tenancy agreement is a 12 Month contract and we do not usually offer Break Clauses although we do have a unique ‘Early Termination Clause’ in all of our Tenancy Agreements. All monies must be paid in full, in cleared funds, before or at the signing of the tenancy agreements.
• Check In- unlike many of London’s Letting Agents we physically check our tenants into their new home. Once we have secured full and cleared funds and all paperwork has been completed and signed we will introduce you, the tenant(s), to your new home. This will include showing you where fuse boxes, stopcocks, gas taps, etc. are located for your general knowledge should something go wrong during your tenancy. We will also show you where the heating controls, etc are as well as where to put rubbish, etc. All of this helps to ensure that you feel at home instantly. Where possible, utility meter readings will be taken (usually in your presence) which you will sign for. We will then notify the current utility providers of your new tenancy and start-up readings. Please note, however, you will be responsible to ensure this is done correctly as utility companies often make mistakes. The landlord may have also purchased a professional inventory or even arranged for an inventory clerk to conduct a Check In- all this will be explained to you prior to Check In.
• Deposit Legislation- base are members of TDS (the Tenancy Deposit Scheme) one of three national Schemes. We typically hold the deposits for 90%+ of our tenancies and, where this is the case, you will be provided with a Deposit Registration Certificate once the Tenancy has commenced. Where the Landlord chooses to register this with another scheme we will notify you accordingly and it will be the Landlord’s responsibility to notify you once registered.
• We’re responsible- where base do not manage the property, you will be provided with direct contact details for your Landlord should you have any further enquiries or maintenance issues. This should ALWAYS be your first and foremost contact however, should you feel you have exhausted this avenue and the Landlord is being unreasonable, do feel free to contact base and we will happily attempt to make contact on your behalf.
• Check Out & Return of Deposits- once the keys have been returned, property inspected and final mater readings taken this process can proceed. Any necessary and justified deductions will be made and once proof that all final utility bills have been paid has been received the deposit will be returned.

Should you have any questions or need help and advice at any time do not hesitate to contact our office of helpful staff.

Property Terminology

 
If you ever find yourself struggling with property terminology try visiting: www.tiscali.co.uk/property/jargon_buster