Residential Sales, Lettings & Management, Independent Mortgage Advice.
Covering the Worcester Park & Surrounding Areas.
Over 35 years combined office experience.
Competitive 0.75% Sole Agency selling fees.
Website updated every 24 hours.
Members of the Government backed National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS).
Members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS).
Members of the Office of Fair Trading Ombudsman for Estate Agents & Lettings scheme (OEA).
In House Fully Qualified & Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (dea).

We have 3 members of staff as well as 2 more auxiliary team members.

Paul Palombo - Proprietor 21 years residential agency experience.
Shirley Palombo - Property manager 1 year property experience.
Allison Bowden - Property manager 4 years property experience.

Residential Sales, Lettings & Management, Independent Mortgage Advice.

Information/terms for tenants letting with Coopers Residential:

Administration/holding fee

Holding Deposit
If you are interested in renting one of our properties, you will be expected to pay a holding deposit of usually £250. Should the tenancy go ahead, that money will be put towards the deposit. Should you subsequently pull out, not move in on the agreed date, or should your credit references fail, you will forfeit your holding deposit.
If the Landlord pulls out for any reason other than the reasons mentioned above, your deposit will be returned to you.
The holding deposit is to:
- show you are willing to move into the property on an agreed date;
- enable us to proceed with references;
- Enable us to take the property off the availability list.
We also charge an Administration fee of £160 Inc vat for the first two tenants, which is non-returnable; it covers administration costs, your share of the preparation of the Tenancy Agreement & the inventory, the reference enquiries and the cost of any guarantor agreements. When we have received the holding deposit and admin fee, the property is taken off the market and reserved in your favour. (The administration fee for 3 sharers is £200 Inc vat and for 4 sharers is £250 Inc vat, going up £50 Inc vat for each additional sharer).
Most tenancies are for a minimum of 6 or 12 months. If you should pay your rent directly to the landlord, then all contact for repairs etc should be with the landlord and we will provide their contact details upon signing the tenancy agreement.

REFERENCES

We use an independent credit reference service, which normally takes a few days and includes employment; bank, character reference, a credit status check, previous landlord and a recommendation to the applicant's suitability for the property. Providing they are favourably received the Agreement is then drawn up. Each adult tenant on the agreement will be expected to complete a reference form and sign it, to assist, here are some of the points that reference agencies will look for:
- Your full current and previous addresses for the last 3 years;
- Your personal details, including your UK based bank details;
- Your employer's details, for last 3 years, a contact name in personnel is helpful (not just mobiles!);
- In most cases, self employed need to provide accountant details or a copy of their latest tax return;
- Full details of your current landlord/ letting agent or mortgage company if you were a homeowner;
- Generally, you need to have an income to rent ratio of 3.3 x your salary to the rent. Guarantors are 4 to 1.
- Guarantors must be home owning UK residents, in current employment with salary that covers their own commitments and the tenant's liability. They MUST also sign the tenancy agreement before the tenancy commences.
- Non UK residents and foreign nationals must supply copies of their passport along with a letter of employment confirmation, stating start date, salary and duration of job.

Student lets and housing benefit applicants

We do not discriminate against tenants using housing benefit, those without regular income, or students, however private landlords reserve the right to decide who they rent to and they do not need to provide a reason for their decision. Where possible, we will assist in the application and often a guarantor along with a greater security deposit will be required.

Tenants post tenancy contact address

Under tenancy deposit rules we are obliged to put a forwarding address for tenants on the tenancy agreement, with sharers, unless otherwise advised we will put the lead tenants next of kin address supplied from the appropriate reference forms.

Payment of rent/deposit

Usually, we ask for one month%u2019s rent in advance and one month%u2019s dilapidation deposit (less the £250 already paid), before the commencement of the tenancy. This is payable to 'Coopers Residential Ltd' preferably by bank transfer, by credit or debt card, ( due to the fee levied by credit card companies a 2.5% charge will be made on each payment using a credit card). No charge is made for payment by debt card. payment must be made in time for the funds to be cleared in our account prior to check in day. Alternatively, you can pay by bank draft or cash on the day. No personal cheques can be accepted. If you wish to make a payment, our clients account details are as follows:
Bank: Abbey
Name on account: Coopers Residential Ltd Clients Account.
Account number: 42169318 Sort code: 09-06-66

The deposit is returnable at the end of the tenancy within 10 days, once the landlord and tenant have reached agreement using the Inventory/condition of the property against the check in: and that wear and tear, loss of rent and settlement of all utility bills has been accounted for. Where the landlord holds the deposit, the tenant will be advised at the start of the tenancy and the agent can accept no liability/responsibility for its return. Where we hold it, as members of the government backed tenancy deposit custodial scheme (DPS), we will place the tenants deposit within this scheme to comply with the legislation and to protect your deposit. Our policy is to carry out an inventory and place the tenancy deposit into the scheme, which then notifies all relevant parties of its safe keeping. We also check the tenants both in and out of the property and handle meter readings. You should be fully aware of your obligations. For further information, please see http://www.depositprotection.com. If the deposit is being supplied by a third party other than the tenant, then it is the tenant's responsibility to advise us of their details so they can be named on the agreement and a copy provided for their retention. In the case of sharers you are required to nominate a 'lead tenant' who will be responsible for dealing with all deposit issues.

INVENTORY

In most cases an Inventory/schedule of condition is drawn up of all contents, fixtures and fittings. On most occasions we or an inventory clerk will check you in to the property, read the meters, go through the inventory and then ask you to sign for the contents. Generally whoever is holding your deposit, or their representative will check you out at the end of your tenancy. We strongly advise you produce your own inventory if a landlord does not provide one for you.

Utility/service accounts

It is advisable for you to make a note of all utility meter readings on the day you take possession of the property and check that the service accounts have been transferred into your name. Arrangements for the reconnection of a telephone line and all utilities and all fees therein unless otherwise stated, are the responsibility of the tenant. You are also normally responsible for the TV Licence which is available on 08702416468.

INSURANCE

The tenant is responsible for insuring the contents of the property: the landlord is responsible for the building insurance. It is strongly advised that you make arrangements against insuring your deposit for accidental damage and protecting your own possessions as under the tenancy you are liable for the landlord's contents as well as your own. We can provide specialist tenants contents insurance at competitive rates, just ask for the leaflet.

Repairs/inspections/safety regulations

The landlord or contractors may need to inspect the property and carry out repairs. If this is the case, as much notice will be given as possible. Your responsibility is to abide by the tenancy terms, if you are considered liable for any damage, then you will be asked to attend to it. Routine maintenance is the landlord's responsibility as well as providing the safety checks required under legislation for gas and electricity of which we are happy to provide further information for you.

Late payment of rent

In the event that rent is not paid on time it is ALWAYS advisable to contact the landlord/agent before the rental date is due as this will enviably prevent further action being taken. Notwithstanding unforeseen circumstances that can be proven, in the event that rent is not paid within 7 days of its due date, then the tenant (s) will become liable on each such occasion for the cost of chasing the payment as follows and added to their account:

- First reminder letter (after 7 days). £10 + vat
- Second reminder letter (after 14 days). £20 + vat
- Third reminder letter (after 21 days). £40 + vat

Bank declines payment/refer to drawer

Under our terms, it is the tenant's responsibility to ensure that their rental payment is not returned by their bank unpaid and or 'referred to drawer' money deposited into our clients account is deemed cleared funds, failure to ensure this, incurs both costs and time. Coopers Residential therefore automatically levy a charge of £25 + Vat for each and every item presented in this way, this will be added to the tenants account, whilst in addition the late payment surcharges will apply. We cannot guarantee advising tenants their rent has been returned within this period and in this manner.

Members of the Government backed National Approved Letting Scheme. (NALS).
Members of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. (TDS).
Members of the Office of Fair Trading Ombudsman for Estate Agents & Lettings scheme (OEA).
In House Fully Qualified & Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).