Help and advice for tenants (FAQ’s)

Frequently asked questions regarding renting a property managed by
ZK Investments on behalf of the landlords and especially if you are a new resident.

Renting a property can be a formidable task regardless of whether this is your first time to rent or if you have rented properties in the past.If you have a more specific enquiry, contact us.

Rent and Bills

How do I pay my rent?

Rent is paid monthly in advance by standing order from your bank.
Your rent should be paid each month by standing order and this is a condition of your Tenancy Agreement (we do not operate a direct debit system).

This is a worry-free way of ensuring you never fall behind in your rental payments.
It is your responsibility to make sure that your rent reaches the landlords account on the designated date each month.

Our landlords also accept other methods to pay the rent – read more (link to rent payment)

Be sure to tell us or your landlord if your circumstances change, for instance you change banks or your employment situation changes as we can then help you to protect your tenancy. The last thing we want is for you to fall into arrears.

On what date will my monthly rent be due?

Rent is payable by standing order, which is dated 3 days before the ‘rent due’ date to allow time for the monies to clear into the rent account.

You will need to check your tenancy and in most cases rent is usually payable on the 1st day of each month.

What happens if my rent is paid late?

Any problems with rental payments, that may result in late payment, should be conveyed to us immediately.

Arrears letters (for which you may be charged) will be issued if rent remains outstanding beyond 7 days after it was due. Interest may be charged until payment is made.

Your Landlord is entitled to take action to regain possession of the property via the courts if you continue to not pay your rent.

What if I can't pay my rent?

It is always your responsibility to pay the rent, but circumstances change.

What happens if you become unemployed or are unable to work due to sickness?

The most important thing is not to let arrears pile up until they’re unmanageable. Speak to us and see if you can reschedule your payments. And don’t forget, you can get insured against sickness and unemployment to keep yourself protected.

Your Landlord is entitled to take action to regain possession of the property via the courts if you continue to not pay your rent.

What other bills will I have to pay for?

You will be responsible for the payment of all bills including gas, electricity, council tax, water and telephone.

We will normally notify all services of your move to the property and arrange for meter readings on properties which we manage.

We are unable to arrange the telephone for you so you will need to do this yourself.

I receive housing benefit direct – How can I pay the rent?

All housing benefit is paid in arrears and is usually paid at fortnightly or four weekly intervals. This can cause and issue for you and for the landlords who are used to receiving rent in advance and in monthly instalments. The landlords are not responsible for your housing benefit claim. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have set up a standing order to pay the rent on time. Read More (link to rent payment)

You should also contact the Housing Benefit Office if there’s been a delay in getting your Housing Benefit as this often can result in you falling behind with the rent payment.

If you’re getting Housing Benefit, check that the amount you’re getting is right. If you don’t think it is, contact your Housing Benefit Office.

Can my landlord increase my rent at any time?

No, the tenancy agreement determines when and by how much your rent can be increased.

If the agreement does not specify an amount or time, then the landlord must negotiate this with you. Neither the landlord nor the tenant can alter the original tenancy agreement without the other party’s consent.

In general terms our landlords rent of an existing tenancy is increased once every twelve months. You will be given the relevant notices if the landlord proposes to increase the rent.

What should I do if I fall into arrears?

Failing to pay your rent means you have seriously broken your tenancy agreement.

Getting into rent arrears can be distressing. But don’t ignore the situation. If you don’t take action to pay back what you owe, you could end up losing your home.

If you’re getting Housing Benefit, check that the amount you’re getting is right. If you don’t think it is, contact your Housing Benefit Office.

You should also contact the Housing Benefit Office if there’s been a delay in getting your Housing Benefit and this has caused the rent arrears. Read More

What can happen if you do not pay the rent arrears?

If you’ve fallen behind with your rent payments, you should take action quickly to deal with the situation.

If you don’t find a way to pay back what you owe, this could lead to lots of problems. You could lose your home and have problems finding somewhere else to live.

You might not be able to rely on the local authority to rehouse you because they might consider you to have made yourself intentionally homeless.

You might find it hard to get credit or borrow money in the future. Read More

Can my landlord take my possessions if I fall behind on rent?

No.
The Landlord can take certain action via the courts in order to take action against you for non payment of rent, but if you are occupying the property under an assured short hold tenancy or a fixed term contract, your Landlord cannot enter and take your possessions from the property.

If you fall behind with your rent it is always best that you contact your Landlord or us to discuss how you will ensure that any money due can be paid.

Your Landlord is entitled to take action to regain possession of the property via the courts if you continue to not pay your rent.

Who is responsible for Council Tax and Utility Bills?

It is the tenant’s responsibility to inform the utility companies of their occupation of the property at the commencement of the tenancy, and to pay council tax to the local authority.
The tenant is responsible for all the bills during the tenancy unless specified otherwise e.g. if the property is a multiple occupancy property.

As part of our service to the landlords we will inform the Council, Water, Electricity and Gas suppliers that you have moved into or out of a property and of the relevant meter readings where appropriate.

Do I need to be insured?

It is always wise to insure your own belongings and contents insurance which includes accidental damage will protect your deposit. Landlords insurance covers the building.

The Landlords insurance policy will not cover your possessions.

As per the tenancy agreement Tenants are responsible for insuring their own possessions from the very beginning of their tenancy. We strongly advise that you take out a Tenants contents insurance policy to protect your belongings such as furniture, electronic devices, jewellery, pictures and items of value against fire, damage and theft.