Information for Tenants
The following information is designed to help you find the right property and answer any questions but for further help and advice please call us 0191 374 1234, email info@cathedrallettings.com or check our FAQ section.
Finding a property
We would advise starting your search 4-8 weeks before you are looking to move. Browse our current list of properties. All of our properties are listed on our website and the stock changes daily. Although we do list our properties on a number of property websites, our own website is always the most up to date. You can register here for regular updates. If you see a property you like, please call us to arrange a viewing. If you can't find anything that meets your requirements then please contact us to register and we will help you to find something suitable.
- Viewings are available Monday to Saturday and are nearly always accompanied by a member of Cathedral Lettings staff.
- Rents are quoted per calendar month, and payable in advance. The tenant is usually also responsible for Council Tax, Water Rates, Gas, Electricity and Telephone costs.
- For information on the area please see the Local Area section below or try www.upmystreet.com
- Please note that we do not accept housing benefit claimants or tenants under 18 years of age.
Reserving the property
Once you have decided on a property, please contact us to make an appointment to reserve it and complete the appropriate documentation. You will need to sign to reserve the property and make a 'rental downpayment' as well as paying our administration charge. How much you pay will depend on the price of the property. If the landlord declines to grant the tenancy, it will be refunded. However the rental downpayment and administration charge will be forfeited if you decide not to proceed for any reason, or if you fail to provide complete and accurate information in your application.
At this point you will be informed if the property is to be managed by Cathedral Lettings or the landlord.
All money is due in cleared funds i.e. credit card (2.25% surcharge), debit card or cash. We do not accept cheques.
Every adult tenant will also need to supply ID showing both your photo and your address (for example a photo driving licence, or a passport along with a utility bill).
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We will ask every adult tenant (18 years and over) to complete an Application Form. As a minimum we will require a credit check and satisfactory references from your employer and previous or current landlord if applicable. We may also require a personal reference or a guarantor. We may use the services of an independent referencing company to obtain and evaluate these references.
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A security deposit (bond) equivalent to one month's rent plus £100 must be paid. This is held to cover damage, breakages, and any other liabilities under the terms of your tenancy agreement. Please note that under no circumstances can the deposit be used by the tenant to cover rent.
Since 6th April 2007, all deposits taken by agents or landlords for Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be protected by a government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme. At Cathedral Lettings, deposits are protected under the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS). More information can be found at www.depositprotection.com
Moving In
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Once we have satisfactory references for all tenants we will draw up Tenancy Agreements which will need to be signed by everyone named on the Agreement before you can move in. Please advise us immediately if one of the tenants is going to be away and not available at the move-in as we will need to get the Agreements signed in advance. If you have a Guarantor they will also have to sign the Guarantee document before you can move in.
We will also provide you with a Standing Order form to fill in for the monthly rental payments and information on the utility suppliers for the property.
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You will need to make an appointment to move in to the property on the day the Tenancy starts. We will meet you at the property, not at our office.
Before you can move in all monies must be paid in cleared funds and the tenancy agreement must be signed by all tenants.
When you move in we will agree the meter readings with you and give you the details of the suppliers. You will need to contact the suppliers and set up your own accounts. You will also need to contact the local authority about council tax. Everything to do with the telephone line is your responsibility and you will need to contact BT directly to arrange a line.
If the property is managed by us then we will also agree the inventory. If the property is to be managed by the landlord we will provide you with their contact details.
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Landlords are responsible for the building insurance but it is essential that tenants make arrangements to insure their own contents and also against accidental damage to the landlord’s property. Most insurers provide tenant insurance policies which will do this. We work with specialist insurance companies who can help ensure that you have the right policy, please ask us for details.
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All of our managed properties are Gas Safe Register gas safety certificated, have a current Energy Performance Certificate and are inspected for electrical safety, and furniture fire safety.
We operate an out of hours emergency number for properties we manage.
Local Area Information
The City of Durham is simply the best place to live in the North of England. Its cathedral and castle are a UNESCO world heritage site, the university is one of England’s top five and the city has a great range of houses and apartments to suit all budgets. These factors combine to give Durham the sort of cosmopolitan international flavour not found everywhere in the region.
Durham is also great for families, offering:
- An excellent range of schools including Durham Johnston Comprehensive (one of the country’s top non-selective state schools) and St Margaret’s and Neville’s Cross Primaries.
- Large parks and playgrounds such as the Riverside and Wharton Park.
- Active young people’s sections in sports clubs including football, rugby, rowing and cricket.
- Strong scout and guide groups.
Durham has always been a fantastic place to raise a family, but new developments mean that it has now become a great place for young professionals as well. Entertainment is focused around the Walkergate complex, home of Durham’s Gala Theatre and a variety of restaurants, pubs, clubs and wine bars. The Gala also houses a cinema showing the latest film releases. For those seeking the pleasures of the big city, Newcastle is just 16 miles away and easily reached by train. Sunderland is even nearer.
Indeed, Durham’s overall transport links are excellent. Durham Station is on the London-Edinburgh East Coast Mainline with trains reaching Newcastle in just 15 minutes and the capital in about three hours. Durham is just a couple of miles from the A1(M) and is also served by long distance coaches to different parts of the country. Newcastle International and Durham Tees Valley Airports are both about half an hour’s drive. Commuting to Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside are all straightforward.
Come and live in Durham, home of Cathedral Lettings!
FAQ
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As a general rule apartments will not accept cats or dogs (or anything bigger) as this is normally against the rules for the whole block. For houses though, most landlords consider each individual case and we will check this when you reserve the property. If the landlord has a definite policy then this will be shown on the property advert.
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Do you have room dimensions for your properties?
No, but you are welcome to bring a tape measure to viewings!
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This depends on how quickly your referees respond to the reference requests and how long it takes to get the property ready for occupation, but you should usually allow at least a week.
If you need to move quicker than this, then please tell us when you book the viewings and we will do all we can to help.
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Who do I deal with during the tenancy?
If we manage the property then you will deal with us throughout. If the landlord manages the property then once you have moved in you will deal with the landlord. We will tell you this when you sign up for a property but if you want to know beforehand then just ask.
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Yes provided you get written permission from us or the landlord and the work is done to a professional standard. If you have plans to decorate or alter the property before you move in then please inform us and we will check with the landlord when you sign up.
