Contracts

Application Process

Our application Process and Referencing is all carried out online..

Heads of Terms

Once you have agreed to take a property from Imperial Services, the first thing that will happen is that we will email all prospective contact holders a Heads of Terms email.

This email, outlines the key details that will be used to form the contract, this will include

  • the type of contract
  • the rental amount (per period, monthly, termly etc)
  • the occupation date
  • the end date (where applicable)
  • the deposit amount
  • and any additional terms 

This email will also outline the types of refencing that may be required (the referencing we request, may differ depending on your circumstances)

After reading the Heads of Terms email you will be invited to complete an application form, the application form is an online document that can be completed remotely Click to view our Application form

We need a completed application form from all the proposed contract holders, before we can proceed to the next step. 

Referencing 

We use a system called Vouch  – an automated refencing system designed by letting agents with ease of use in mind.

Vouch will contact you, via email and SMS with a unique link to access your refencing portal  

Vouch referencing checks a Contact Holder and/or guarantor’s suitability to rent or be a guarantor by verifying the information below:

  • Credit Check
  • Affordability
  • Residential Status
  • ID & Right to Rent

 

Credit Check

As part of our referencing process, every prospective tenant will have their credit history checked. To complete this step, we need at least the last three years’ address history. Our checks are powered by Equifax and searched for credit repayment history for any current or historic adverse credit. This is to establish whether they were registered at the provided address in the past three years. These checks do not impact their Credit Score.
Affordability
We check affordability to see if tenants will be able to afford the property. The industry standard affordability ratio is 30 times the monthly rent for tenants and 36 times for guarantors. This means that in order to meet our affordability, tenants will need to demonstrate that their income is 30 x the monthly rent (36 x the monthly rent for guarantors).

Residential Status

If tenants are currently renting, we will need a reference from your current landlord. We do not ask for landlord references for guarantors.

ID & Right to Rent

Every applicant must supply us with a valid ID. 

How long does referencing take?

Vouch aims to complete a reference in 1-3 business days. This time frame is given as the process can take longer if there is information missing from the application. You can check the status of your application at any time by logging into your Vouch Dashboard. You can also choose to be kept up to date on the progress of an application via email.

  • A reference may take longer to complete if:
    The ID documentation provided does not meet the UK Government Right to Rent criteria
  • The employer, landlord or guarantor has not responded to our request for a reference
  • There are differences between the information provided, and that provided by a referee

Contracts

There are two main types of contacts that we can issue: 

Fixed Term Standard Contract

(click to see example contract)

Fixed term standard contract, which means that it initially lasts for a specified period of time agreed between you and the landlord. It also means that you cannot be evicted without a court order, unless you abandon the dwelling. Before a court makes such an order your landlord must demonstrate that the correct procedures have been followed and at least one of the following is satisfied

  1. you have broken one or more terms of the contract (which includes any arrears of rent, engaging in anti-social behaviour and other prohibited conduct, and failing to take proper care of the dwelling) and it is reasonable to
    evict you,
  2. You are seriously in arrears with your rent (e.g. if the rental period is a month, at least two months’ rent is unpaid)
  3. Your landlord needs to move you, and one of the estate management grounds under section 160 (estate management grounds) of the Act applies, suitable alternative  accommodation is available (or will be, available when the order
    takes effect), and it is reasonable to evict you.

If you remain in occupation of the dwelling after the end of the fixed term, you and the landlord are to be treated as having made a new periodic standard contract in relation to the dwelling.

Periodic Standard Contract 

(click to see example contract)

Periodic standard contract which means that it continues from one rental period to the next, typically from month to month, to end the contact, you would need to give two months notice to end the contact. 

The landlord can also give you notice to end the contact but only in certain circumstances 

  1. The landlord could be able to serve a notice, this would be 6 months and can only be served after 6 months from the occupation date.
  2. If you have broken one or more terms of this contract (which includes any arrears of rent, engaging in anti-social behaviour or other prohibited conduct and failing to take proper care of the dwelling) and it is reasonable to evict you.
  3. You are seriously in arrears with your rent (e.g. if the rental period is a month,at least two months’ rent is unpaid), 
  4. Your landlord needs to move you, and one of the estate management grounds under section 160 (estate management grounds) of the Act applies, suitable alternative accommodation is available (or will be available when the order takes effect), and it is reasonable to evict you.