Although you may begin your search there are many advantages to registering directly with an estate agent. You may have missed out on a couple of properties; that’s because registered prospective tenants will be informed first when a property becomes available to rent. We will also do some of the hard work for you, checking our comprehensive database and drawing up a shortlist of available properties that best meet your criteria. At Manors we use a system called Lonres, which enables us to access properties available through other letting agents too. This means that it’s not necessary for you to register with multiple agents, as we already have all the bases covered.

To register is simple; visit our office, where you will receive a warm welcome and a great cup of coffee. As you relax in a very comfortable seating area you will have a chat with one of our experienced lettings advisors, so you can tell us about your requirements. As part of our registration process, we will ask you for the following information to help us match you with available properties more effectively:

Alternatively you can complete our registration form. Place link to form.

After drawing up a shortlist of properties you would like to view from our selection, we will go ahead and make the appointments for you. You will be reassured to know that you will be accompanied to all viewings by a member of our team, who can offer advice and answer any questions you may have about the property, or the area it’s in.

Remember that the London rental market moves quickly, and if you find the perfect property, or one that meets the majority of your requirements, be prepared to place an offer when you view it to avoid disappointment.

When making an offer please bear in mind that landlords like to achieve a rental price of as close to the advertised price as possible; they also tend to prefer longer tenancies, dislike void periods and may ask for a larger deposit if you have any pets. In view of this, our lettings negotiator can help you present your offer in the best possible light to maximise the chance of it being accepted.

If your offer is accepted, we will ask you for a sum equivalent to two weeks’ rent as a holding deposit, whilst references are followed up and contracts prepared.

Once your offer is accepted, you will receive a tenancy agreement and other necessary documentation, which you should read thoroughly. Our lettings negotiator is here to help you if anything is unclear.

At this stage your references will be checked. This will involve contacting your bank, your previous landlord, your employer and anyone who has agreed to provide a character reference, as well as undertaking a credit check. We outsource these checks to a reference company, who will usually be able to complete the checks within 48 hours, though in some cases they may take longer. Please be aware of this and supply us with the necessary information as promptly as possible, to avoid the risk of reference checks not being completed in time for your moving-in day.

You will be issued with a statement of account for your initial payment, which will include: 1) Rent for the first month. 2) Deposit - usually equivalent to five weeks' rent (where annual rent is less than £50,000).

If it has been agreed that future rental payments are to be made in advance by monthly standing order, you will need to have your bank account details available in order to complete the necessary form.

Please note that the above charges are applicable when entering into an Assured Shorthold Tenancy and can vary depending on type of agreement you will be signing.

Assuming all payments, documents and references are in order, your keys (normally three sets) will be available for collection on the start date of the tenancy. Usually these can be collected from Manors’ offices, or they will be given to you during your checking-in appointment with an inventory clerk. Our lettings negotiator will ensure that this is organised at a convenient time for you.

You will need to inform any utility providers that you have moved into the property and ensure that all accounts are transferred into your name as quickly as possible. These could include gas, electricity, phone and satellite/cable TV companies, as well as the local council, as you will need to register for council tax.

A copy of the inventory check-in report will be sent to you shortly after you move in, and if you have any comments or questions about this, you should raise them on receipt.

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 Manors or another managing agent, 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 Manors’ Lettings Department, who will be happy to assist you.