545 properties to let in Somerset

Please find below a breakdown of our tenant fees relating to all new Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST’s) signed on or after 1st June 2019:

Holding deposit - 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 - Five weeks’ rent or 6 weeks if rent exceeds £50,000pa. This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy. A Nil Deposit Scheme may also be available.

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 for 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.

Fees for existing tenancies, Assured Tenancies and Company Lets our tenancy charges can be found at our website under the Lettings heading.

How do we ensure our clients are protected?
We are members of Client Money Protect, a client money protection scheme to ensure your money is handled with in the correct manner. We are also members of The Property Ombudsman, which is a redress scheme for consumer complaints. You can find out more information on our website, or by contacting your local office.

Charges apply;
- Holding deposit; equivalent to one weeks rent, this payment will be deducted from the first month’s rent or paid back to the tenant via bank transfer once referencing has been completed and a tenancy start date agreed. Please see our terms and conditions for more details.
- Late payment of rent; 3% above the Bank of England base rate which, after 14 days can be backdated to the day rent was due.
- Any alternations/variations to the tenancy agreement; £50.
- Early termination fee (with landlord consent) £360.
- All charges are inclusive of vat.- Any keys or security devices that are lost during the tenancy will be charged to the tenant.

A property cannot be held in reserve until all relevant monies have been paid.
Gth are members of the RICS client Money Protection Scheme and are also members of the Property Redress Scheme.

Relevant letting fees and tenant protection information

As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments.

Permitted payments

Before The Tenancy Starts (payable to Hamlet South West Ltd ‘the Agent’)
• Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent (to be offset against the first months’ rent payable at the start of the tenancy)
• Security Deposit: 5 weeks’ rent

During The Tenancy (payable to Hamlet South West Ltd ‘the Agent’)

Novation of Contract Fees
• changes to your tenancy agreement: Payment of £50 + VAT (£60 inc VAT) if you want to change the terms of your tenancy agreement for any reason, including but not limited to;
a) addendum to change the occupiers, add or remove tenants
b) letters giving permission for pets, decorating, running a business from the property

• rent arrears: Payment of interest for the late payment of rent at a rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate

• lost keys: Payment of £50 + VAT (£60 inc VAT) for the reasonably incurred costs for the loss of keys/security devices, or other reasonable and provable costs

• early termination by tenant: Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy, including but not limited to;

a) Landlord’s costs of re let £400 + VAT (£480 inc VAT)
b) Payment of utilities and Council Tax up to and including the agreed termination date (payable to the provider)

During The Tenancy (payable to the provider if permitted and applicable)
• Utilities – gas, electricity, water
• Communications – telephone and broadband
• Installation of cable/satellite
• Subscription to cable/satellite supplier
• Television licence
• Council Tax

Other permitted payments

Any other permitted payments, not included above, under the relevant legislation including contractual damages.

Tenant protection

Hamlet South West Ltd is a member of Client Money Protect (cmp) Scheme, which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of The Property Ombudsman Scheme (TPO), which is a redress scheme. You can find out more details on the agent’s website or by contacting the agent directly.

All permitted payments are also subject to any legal fees incurred during the tenancy.

OpenRent is the UK's largest letting agent, using online services to make renting properties cheaper and more convenient than ever before - while holding quality and security as our top priorities.

OpenRent has never charged any administration or agency fees.

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords may charge you a fee if you lose keys or other security devices, or pay your rent late. You may also be asked for other permitted payments, such as a holding deposit when you begin your application.

There are no hidden fees or other charges when renting an OpenRent property.

OpenRent is a proud member of the Property Ombudsman and holds comprehensive Client Money Protection via the government-authorised Propertymark Client Money Protection scheme.

OpenRent is a registered agent in Scotland with registration number LARN1809026 and is a member of RentSmart Wales with license number #lr .