Tenants

Keep up to date with our available properties via our website, email or telephone. You can register your details via our website and be added to our system mailing list which will notify you of new properties that may suit your criteria. If you see something you like we can arrange viewings throughout the week & weekends.

Applying for a property – You will be sent an application form to complete, once the Landlord has confirmed they are happy to proceed with your application, you will be required to pay your holding deposit, provide us with your I.D and proof of address and we will apply for your references.

Holding Deposit - A holding deposit allows the Landlord/Agent to check the suitability of a tenant. It serves as a guarantee to the Landlord that the tenant is committed to taking on the property and a guarantee to the tenant that the Landlord will hold the property for them, pending successful completion of their references.

The amount of Holding Deposit payable will be the equivalent of one week's rent (Monthly rent divided by 4.35 i.e. £650 rent would give you a weekly amount of £149.43)

Using the Holding Deposit for Rent - The holding deposit will be used towards the first months' rent unless otherwise instructed by you (the tenant) in writing to Diamonds within 2 calendar days of receiving your application form.

Guarantor - If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit/Universal Credit - You will be required to provide a Guarantor who is a homeowner. If you have bad credit or low income - you may be required to provide a guarantor, this will depend on your application and the landlord's decision. A guarantor will need to provide us with 1 form of photographic ID (Driving License, Passport or Birth Certificate), proof of address (recent Utility Bill, Bank Statement, Council Tax Bill or Driving Licence ) and 1 form of proof of ownership (Mortgage Statement or a valid Building Insurance policy) along with the signed guarantor agreement that will be sent to them. If you cannot provide a guarantor we will not be able to proceed with your application. (If a guarantor is required we will send the guarantor a pre-filled guarantor agreement which they must sign before you move in.)

Referencing - References are taken on behalf of the landlord and include; credit history checks; employer and/or proof of income; affordability and former landlord checks. In some circumstances where a person may not pass the references a guarantor may be used, or the rent may be paid in advance. If you are unsure, please check your circumstances with us prior to booking a viewing.

Rent - Rents are advertised alongside the property and will be confirmed in writing by way of email when you apply for the property. Rent is payable on a calendar monthly basis, in advance, by standing order. Your rent due date will be set according to the first date of your tenancy. The first months’ rent is to be paid, in cleared funds, on the day you sign your tenancy agreement.

Tenancy Deposit - A damage deposit equivalent to 5 week's rent is also taken to cover any breakages, dilapidation or deductions which may occur during the tenancy. If Diamonds manage the property then your deposit will be held securely with the DPS (Deposit Protection Service). If your tenancy is managed by your landlord, then the deposit funds will be transferred to them at the start of the tenancy and they will register the funds with their chosen scheme. Full details about where your deposit is held will be provided to you at move in and outlined in your Tenancy Agreement.

Before you sign the Tenancy Agreement, your rent and tenancy deposit must be received in full. This can be done by bank transfer two working days before the agreed signing date or by debit card payment the same day. Diamonds do not accept credit card payments.

Property Inspections – If the property is managed by Diamonds then we will require access to the property on a 3/4 monthly basis. Routine visits are carried out to establish if there are any maintenance issues at the property and to allow us to check on its condition. Tenants can choose if they would like to be present and will be notified of the visit in writing at least 48 hours prior to the inspection.

Reporting Maintenance Issues - If you are a managed tenant then you will be emailed a tenant guide at move in, this outlines everything you need to know about how to report maintenance issues as and when they occur. You will also be provided with dedicated out of hours telephone numbers to contact in an emergency. To report a maintenance issue, please contact the office on 02920 888400 option 3 or alternatively email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General and Scheduled Maintenance - We will require access to the property to carry out maintenance on occasion. This might be something reported by yourself or to carry out an annual safety check. All contractors working on our managed properties are insured and will only access the property after you have been provided with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Tenants can choose if they wish to be present or not for contractor visits.

Complaints Procedure - We are a regulated agent and members of the Property Ombudsman. This offers our tenants peace of mind that in the unlikely event they wish to make a formal complaint then this will be raised and managed through our in house complaints procedure, a copy of our complaints procedure can be viewed here. The complaint can be escalated to the Property Ombudsman if we are unable to resolve the issue for you. The Property Ombudsman website is www.tpos.co.uk

Check Out - Managed tenants will have the option to meet the checkout clerk at the property or to return the keys to our office by 12:00 midday on check out day. If you would like to meet the clerk at the property, then you must arrange the checkout appointment time 7 days before the tenancy ends.

Pets - Tenants who have had pets agreed at the property will be required to have the property professionally cleaned at checkout unless agreed otherwise at the start of the tenancy. You may also be required to have any soft furnishings (including carpets, curtains and sofas) shampooed and cleaned professionally to remove any pet hair. Tenants are required to provide receipts at checkout to evidence that this has been done and deductions may be made from the deposit if the property is not to an acceptable standard.

Deposit Returns - Managed tenants will be contacted within 5 working days of the checkout report being carried out and the deposit will be returned within 14 days providing there are no issues that have arisen.

Tenant Payment Information

Prior to the Tenancy

Holding Deposit -A holding deposit allows the Landlord/Agent to check the suitability of a tenant. It serves as a guarantee to the Landlord that the tenant is committed to taking on the property and a guarantee to the tenant that the Landlord will hold the property for them, pending successful completion of their references.

The amount of Holding Deposit payable will be the equivalent of one week's rent (Monthly rent divided by 4.35 i.e £650 rent would give you a weekly amount of £149.43)

Using the Holding Deposit for Rent - The holding deposit will be used towards the first months' rent unless otherwise instructed by you (the tenant) in writing to Diamonds within 2 calendar days of receiving your application form.

During the Tenancy

Tenant Charges

Diamonds hold Client Money Protection Insurance through Safeagent