Tenant Payments & Fees

Transparent, Fair and Fully Compliant

At Bright Hill Properties, we are committed to transparent pricing and full compliance with the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

The vast majority of fees previously charged to tenants are now prohibited by law. This page explains the only payments that tenants may legally be required to make when renting a property through us.

There are no hidden charges, and we’ll always explain any payment before you commit to a tenancy. Bright Hill Properties is a member of The Property Ombudsman redress scheme and our full complaints procedure can be found on this website or requested. We are also a member of Property Mark, membership number C0139173.

Payments You May Be Required to Make

Rent

Rent is payable in advance on the date stated in your Tenancy Agreement. Payment should be made by bank transfer using the details provided before your tenancy begins.

Holding Deposit

A Holding Deposit may be required to reserve a property while referencing and tenancy preparation are completed.

Equivalent to one week’s rent
The property will be withdrawn from the market while your application is processed.
Normally credited towards your first month’s rent if the tenancy proceeds.

A Holding Deposit may only be retained in the limited circumstances permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, including where:

you withdraw from the tenancy;
you fail a Right to Rent check;
you provide false or misleading information during the application process; or
you fail to take all reasonable steps to enter into the tenancy by the agreed deadline.

Full details will always be provided before a Holding Deposit is taken.

Tenancy Deposit

Before your tenancy begins, you may be required to pay a tenancy deposit.

The maximum deposit permitted by law is:

Five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is below £50,000.
Six weeks’ rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more.

Your deposit will be protected in a Government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme, and you will receive the required Prescribed Information within the legal timescales.

Changes Requested by the Tenant

If you ask to change your tenancy after it has started (for example, changing a named tenant), a reasonable administration charge may apply.

The maximum fee is:

£50 (including VAT)

or our reasonable costs where these exceed £50.

Ending Your Tenancy Early

If you ask to end your tenancy before the contractual end date, you may be responsible for the landlord’s reasonable costs arising from the early termination.

Any costs will be explained and agreed before the tenancy is brought to an end.

Late Payment of Rent

If rent remains unpaid for more than 14 days, interest may be charged.

Interest will not exceed 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate, calculated daily from the first day after payment became overdue until the outstanding balance is cleared.

Lost Keys or Security Devices

If keys, fobs, access cards or other security devices are lost, you will be responsible for the reasonable cost of replacement.

Where locks need to be changed for security reasons, you will also be responsible for the reasonable associated costs.

Evidence of the costs incurred will be provided upon request.

Utility Bills & Household Costs

Unless specifically included within your tenancy agreement, tenants are responsible for paying:

Gas
Electricity
Water
Council Tax
Broadband and telephone services
Television Licence
Any other utilities connected with the property

During Your Tenancy

Depending on your tenancy agreement, you may also be responsible for:

Replacing light bulbs, batteries and other everyday consumables.
Maintaining any private garden.
Repairing damage caused by negligence or misuse.
Returning the property in a clean condition, allowing for fair wear and tear.

At the End of Your Tenancy

A check-out inspection will be carried out and compared against the inventory and schedule of condition prepared at the start of your tenancy.

Where appropriate, deductions may be proposed for matters such as:

Outstanding rent.
Damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Missing items.
Unauthorised alterations.
Cleaning required to return the property to the same standard of cleanliness as recorded at check-in (taking fair wear and tear into account).

Any proposed deductions must either be agreed by both parties or determined by the tenancy deposit protection scheme’s dispute resolution service.

No Hidden Fees

Bright Hill Properties does not charge tenants for:

Property viewings
Registering with us
Referencing
Credit checks
Preparing tenancy agreements
Check-in appointments
Routine inspections
Tenancy renewals or extensions
Standard check-out appointments

unless specifically permitted by the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Need More Information?

If you have any questions about the payments associated with renting a property, our team will be happy to help.

Bright Hill Properties

Telephone: 0208 287 5014

Email: jjackson@brighthillproperties.co.uk