Renting Guide

We have a wide choice of houses and flats across the Sittingbourne and Swale area all available to rent right now, so before you start your search, it helps to put some thought into exactly what you are looking for.

Size and Type

Are you looking for…

• A house, flat, or bungalow?
• A new or old home?
• Somewhere with a spare bedroom?
• Outside space such as a garden, driveway or parking?
• A property close to local amenities or something a little more remote?

Area

Make a list of the areas that appeal to you and take some time to have a good look round during the day and in the evening. Consider your priorities with regard to distance from work, schools and local amenities.

Our website has been designed to give you comprehensive information on the local area mapping schools (also giving grades and statistics), transport links, shops, bars and restaurants, hospitals and even your nearest gym.

Transport Links

With more and more of us traveling further a field to work and school, access to good transport links is becoming increasingly important. Do you need easy access to the motorway or a mainline rail station? These things should all be considered and can easily be viewed on the transport tab of our property particulars.

Budget

Assessing your budget before you start your property search will save you time in the long run. The lettings market is fast paced so when the ideal property does comes along, you will want to act immediately.

Decide on a price range that is reasonably affordable for your income. As a rough guide, referencing companies expect your monthly income to be 2.5 times the monthly rent. You will also need to consider the amount required for a deposit (usually equivilant to 1.3 months rent) and any arrangement fees that have to be paid prior to the commencement of your tenancy. Remember, you will be responsible for all utility bills and Council Tax so you should factor these into your calculations too.

As soon as you have your criteria in place and know what price range to look in, one of the first steps to finding your dream home is to register your details with us either by calling on 01795 429836, dropping into our office on the corner of Park Road and West Street in Sittingbourne or by simply completing the online Registration Form. You should bear in mind that most landlords are looking for tenants to move in 2-4 weeks time.

Once we have a clear understanding of your requirements you will receive a selection of properties that match your criteria. We can also keep you constantly up-to-date via email.

Alternatively, you can click on the property to let link under Tenant Resources to the right of this page to see our full catalogue of available properties or use the Quick Search option to the left to filter by price and the number of bedrooms, through to exactly what you are looking for.

Once you have shortlisted your favourite properties, contact us to arrange viewings at a time suitable to both parties. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

We can arrange to meet you at the office or at a particular property, but will ensure that you are accompanied on all viewings and that we are on hand to answer any questions.

As soon as you have found the ideal property, let us know that you would like to go ahead and we will contact the landlord for you.

At this stage, we will require you to complete reference forms and provide the application fee. A reference check is carried out for all tenancies and will check credit scores, employment and with past landlords if applicable.

Assuming there are no problems with your references, we will be able to continue with the lettings process. We will handle all paper work for you and ensure that your deposit is properly protected.

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement will be provided, making note of any special conditions that you and your landlord have agreed. Amongst other things, the Tenancy Agreement will detail:

• The duration of the Teancy
• The Tenancy start date
• How much rent to you will have to pay and how often
• Your rights as a tenant
• Your landlord’s responsibilities

We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Once you have carefully read and signed the Agreement, return it to us with the deposit and first month’s rent in advance so that the landlord (or Quealy & Co acting on behalf of the landlord) can also sign where required.

When all the paper work is done and the deposit and first month’s rent are paid, you are free to move in. We will arrange for you to collect the keys from our office, along with the independent inventory report on the date stated in your tenancy agreement.

The inventory report lists every item in each room of the property along with a statement of its condition. This document is used at the end of your tenancy to assess any damages that may have occurred. You have the right to check the inventory and comment on any discrepancies you notice before returning it to us.