Please click on the terms listed below, to view a brief description.
Access
Landlords and/or their agent must give 24 hours’ notice of any intended visit to the property by themselves or anyone else such as their contractors.
AML
Anti Money Laundering.
Annual Increase
Annual increase means that the rent may be increased on a year to year basis.
Applicant
The person applying to rent the property, that is, the prospective tenant.
Arrears
Money that is unpaid by a tenant after the date specified within the tenancy agreement.
AST
Assured Short hold Tenancy.
Block Management
In the instance of a block of apartments, the block management company is the company assigned to look after the communal areas and exterior of the property.
Boiler Pressure
Each boiler has a certain pressure that it has to remain at for the central heating system to work properly.
BSO
Banking Standing Order.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air.
CMP
Client Money Protection
Common Areas
Areas of land or building such as gardens, hallways, recreational facilities and parking areas where more than one resident shares access/use. It is important to note that often in a block of apartments, your managing agent for the apartment will look after the property management of the apartment only. A designated block management company will deal with the common areas as noted above.
Company Tenancy
This form of agreement is used where a company is the tenant. There is no additional statutory protection and the deposit does not have to be protected in a deposit scheme. The company is the tenant and they are bound by the terms within the written agreement.
Condensation
Condensation is a build-up of excess moisture that isn’t able to escape from a window/vent which can cause mould growth and be unsightly. Make sure windows are opened when cooking, bathing and when drying clothes.
Contents Insurance
Contents insurance is insurance that pays for damage to, or loss of, an individual’s personal possessions while they are located within that individual’s home. Some contents insurance policies also provide restricted cover for personal possessions temporarily taken away from the home by the policyholder.
Contract
A written or spoken agreement, that is intended to be enforceable by law.
Corporate Relocation
The process by which a company relocates an employee.
Credit Check
A procedure and history check of an individual’s or company’s past credit history. This is usually conducted by one of the large credit check agencies and uses public information such as Electoral roll, County Court Judgements, Insolvency information, number of credit searches at current property. They are becoming increasingly important when preventing identity theft, money laundering and financial fraud.
Deposit
A sum of money (usually the same amount as a months’ rent of equivalent to 6 weeks rent) paid by the tenant before to moving in. This is held and registered with a deposit scheme against the property in the case of dilapidations.
To note: The landlord/agent must register details of the deposit within 30 days of the tenancy start date and issue prescribed information. At the end of the tenancy, the tenant must be notified of any deductions (if any) within a certain period of time and scheme rules apply should the deductions be disputed.
Dilapidations
Any disrepair or damage to a rented property or contents that exceed acceptable wear and tear. The cost of the dilapidations are usually recovered from the deposit but this must be agreed by both parties; the tenant and the landlord/agent.
DPS
Deposit Protection Scheme
Duty of Care
Obligation owed to others (specifically landlords and tenants) to provide correct advice regarding lettings and to make sure the well being and safety of those who may reside or visit the property.
Electrical
In order to comply with the Consumer Protection Act, Landlords must ensure that each electrical appliance (kettle, toaster, washing machine and gas cookers with electric ignition etc.) as well as the electric supply and installation (e.g. wall sockets and light fittings etc.) is safe and does not present any danger to a user. To ensure compliance with the act a regular (annual) inspection and testing report is necessary.
All appliances supplied must have all the necessary instruction books and warning details and we would recommend that copies are taken and left at the premises.
Stuarts Property Services Ltd can arrange through qualified engineers to carry electrical safety inspections and PAT (Portable Appliance Test) – prices on application.
EPC
Energy Performance Certificate
Fixtures and Fittings
Items usually provided that may include curtains, carpets, blinds, light fittings, kitchen units and appliances. May also include some furniture. It is advisable to check what items are provided and not to assume they will be provided.
FM
Full Management
GSC
Gas Safety Certificate
Head Lease
A head lease is the original lease between a tenant and a landlord. In such a lease, the overall contractual responsibility is given to one identifiable tenant called the head lessee. It is a primary lease under which subleases (ie permission to rent out the property) have been granted. It is also termed as primary lease or chief lease.
HMO
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Immigration Status
An immigration status is a check that the tenant(s), and any other adult(s) who’ll be living there, are in the country lawfully.
Inventory
A complete list of items describing the contents and condition of a property.
Joint and several liability
When multiple parties can be held liable for the same event or act (such as non payment of rent or damages) and be responsible for all payments required. In cases of joint and several liability, a person who was harmed or wronged by several parties could be awarded damages and collect from any one, several, or all of the liable parties.
KYC
Know your client
Landlord
The legal owner of a property.
Lease Agreement
Often confused with tenancy agreement, the lease agreement is normally a long lease on an apartment. The actual document governing a rental is normally known as a Tenancy Agreement.
LO
Letting only
Managing Agent
A professional or company responsible under an agency agreement for the maintenance and management of the property.
MPAN
Meter Point Administration Number, also known as MPAN
NALS
The National Approved Letting Scheme
Next of Kin
A person’s closest living relative or relatives.
NRL
Non-resident landlords
PAT Test
Portable Appliance Test.
PCM
Per calendar month
PI
One of three meanings:-
- Property Inspection
- Prescribed Information relating to the deposit
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
References
A check with current landlord and employer to confirm information given.
Renewal
Opportunity to renew a contract that has expired or will shortly expire
S21
Section 21 – The notice a landlord can give to a tenant to gain possession of the property (subject to legalities).
TPO
The Property Ombudsman
Valuation
A basic market appraisal of the property to suggest a monthly rental value for letting purposes
Void Period
Period of time when a rental property is empty /unoccupied by a tenant