Hassle-free renting in SE1 and surrounding areas in Central London
Garrett Whitelock makes the whole process of finding and renting a residential property in SE1 and surrounding areas in Central London as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.
Helping to find you the perfect rental property
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Garrett Whitelock makes the whole process of finding and renting a residential property in SE1 and surrounding areas in Central London as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.
Before looking for a new home to rent it’s a good idea to make a list of what you’re looking for. Do you want a furnished or unfurnished property? How long are you looking to rent it for? How many bedrooms do you need? Is outside space a priority? What transport links do you need to get to work? What is your budget?
Once you have a clearer idea of exactly what you’re looking for, pop into our office, call us on 0207 407 4586 or register online.
Once you have found a property – or properties – that you’d like to view, please call our lettings team on 0207 407 4586 to make an appointment. Due to the fast-paced nature of the London rental market, early viewings are always recommended.
At Garrett Whitelock we accompany all viewings so that we’re on hand to answer any questions you may have about the particular properties you’re interested in, and about our lettings service in general. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 6:30pm, and Saturday 10am – 4pm, but we regularly conduct viewings outside these times to suit the needs of our customers.
Making an offer
Once you have found a property that you’d like to rent, you can make an offer, stating any particular conditions, which we will put forward to the landlord for consideration. If your offer is accepted, we will then ask for a holding deposit (usually one week’s rent) while references are taken up and credit checks are undertaken. We engage the services of an independent third party referencing company for this purpose. In the unlikely event that the landlord withdraws the property from the market, the holding deposit will be returned to you in full.
The paperwork
Once all credit and reference checks are completed, we will draw up a tenancy agreement to be signed by all parties. Upon payment of your deposit and first month’s rent in advance, you are free to move in. Garrett Whitelock then places your deposit with the Deposit Protection Service, and it will be returned in full at the end of the tenancy, as long as there is no damage to the property and the full rent has been paid.
Please note that sharers are usually jointly and severally liable for the rent, so if one person leaves before the tenancy expires, the remaining tenants will still have to pay the rent in full.
Moving in
On the day you move in, we will arrange for an inventory clerk to check you into the property and hand over the keys. Together you can check the condition of the property and its contents, read the meters and sign the inventory. You then need to inform the utilities companies that you are now responsible for the bills, and contact the local council to advise them that you will be paying the Council Tax. Whilst it’s the landlord’s responsibility to insure the flat and any furniture/contents that are included in the rental, it’s a good idea for you to insure your personal possessions.
Now all that remains is for you to settle in and enjoy your new home!
What if there are any problems after I've moved in?
When you move in, you will receive a welcome letter telling you who to contact in the event of any problems arising. If your property is managed by Garrett Whitelock, this will be the name and contact details of your Property Manager. Alternatively, if the property is managed by your landlord, it will contain their full contact details.
Please ensure that you have made arrangements to pay your rent on time to avoid any embarrassing calls chasing you for unpaid rent.
For any questions concerning your tenancy agreement, break clauses, payments or renewals, you should contact Garrett Whitelock’s Lettings Department, who will be happy to assist.
Summary of fees payable by tenants
Tenant fees and charges
Please be aware your tenancy may be subject to any of the following fees. All charges include VAT at the prevailing rate of 20%, but are subject to change should the VAT rate increase.
For All Tenancies
* This amount is paid upon your offer for a property being accepted. The amount is then offset against the total balance due upon move in, so you are not making this payment twice. You should be aware that you may forfeit this deposit if you later withdraw or the tenancy does not proceed due to you giving misleading or incorrect information.
Get answers to tenant questions relating to Garrett Whitelock’s rental property services.
How quickly can I move into a property after my application is approved?
Once your application has been approved, you can typically move into your new rental property within a few days. The exact timeframe depends on factors such as how quickly your references are returned, the completion of necessary paperwork, and the availability of the property itself.
What is your tenant referencing process and requirements?
Garrett Whitelock carries out a thorough referencing process on all prospective tenants, which includes credit checks, affordability assessments, and identity verification. These checks are designed to confirm that you are in a financial position to meet the rent and that your identity can be verified in line with legal requirements.
Do you offer short-term or flexible tenancy agreements?
Some properties available through Garrett Whitelock offer flexible or short-term tenancy agreements, depending on the landlord’s preference.
How do I report maintenance issues to your agency?
You can report maintenance issues to Garrett Whitelock via our online reporting system or by contacting our team directly by phone or email. We aim to make reporting as straightforward as possible so that any problems with your rental property are logged and addressed quickly.
Do you provide an online portal for tenants to manage their tenancy?
Yes, Garrett Whitelock provides an online tenant portal where you can report maintenance issues and access important tenancy documents. The portal is designed to make managing your tenancy as convenient as possible.
What happens if I need to renew my tenancy agreement?
When your tenancy is approaching its renewal date, Garrett Whitelock will guide you through a simple renewal process. We will be in touch ahead of the tenancy end date to discuss your options.
Do you charge tenants any fees for your services?
No, Garrett Whitelock does not charge tenants any fees for our lettings services, in line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019. This legislation prohibits letting agents in England from charging tenants for services such as referencing, administration, or tenancy renewals.
How do you protect my tenancy deposit?
Your tenancy deposit is held in a government-approved deposit protection scheme, as required by law for all assured shorthold tenancies in England. Garrett Whitelock ensures that your deposit is registered within the required timeframe and that you receive the prescribed information about the scheme.
Do you offer furnished, unfurnished or part-furnished rental properties?
Yes, Garrett Whitelock offers furnished, unfurnished, and part-furnished rental properties, depending on what is available at any given time. The furnishing level of each property is set by the landlord and will be clearly stated in the property listing.
Can you help me find a guarantor if I need one?
Garrett Whitelock can guide you on what constitutes an acceptable guarantor and the requirements involved. A guarantor is typically required when a tenant’s referencing does not fully meet the landlord’s criteria, and the guarantor agrees to cover the rent in the event that the tenant is unable to pay.
Do you offer student accommodation or professional house shares?
Yes, Garrett Whitelock offers student accommodation and professional house shares where available. The availability of these property types varies depending on the landlords and properties on our books at any given time.
Do you conduct accompanied viewings or can I view properties independently?
Viewings of Garrett Whitelock properties are usually accompanied by a member of our team. Accompanied viewings allow us to show you around the property, answer any questions you may have about the tenancy or the local area, and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
How do you handle disputes between tenants and landlords?
Garrett Whitelock acts fairly and professionally to resolve any disputes between tenants and landlords as quickly as possible. We act as an impartial intermediary, listening to both sides and working towards a resolution that is reasonable and in line with the terms of the tenancy agreement and current legislation.
