1. Your Property Search
Do you have the right to rent property in Jersey? If you move to Jersey you must get a registration card from Social Security to live and work. If you move house you will need a registration card, your status will determine the type of property that you can occupy and whether you can lease a qualified property.
Jersey is a small island but think about where you would like to live that will suit your home and work life. You may like the idea of St Ouen’s in the west but how long are you actually prepared to spend in traffic each day if you work in St Helier? What are your priorities that will make life easier for you to be close to: schools, shops or transport?
Consider your ‘must-haves’ when refining your search. This should help you separate the important things from the essentials.
Be realistic about your budget. As a guide, and without considering any savings, we would require a minimum monthly income of at least 2.5 times the monthly rental. Think about what you can afford and your monthly outgoings.
Consider when you want to move and start your search at least 6 to 8 weeks before your expected move-in date. Check with us first should you wish to lease for a shorter period than 12 months, as short lets are not at all common.
Check the length of the lease term and for lease restrictions. You might need to consider the terms for smoking and pets. Also, check if there are any rules about dealing with refuse and recycling or keeping a bike.
Our leases are commonly for 1 to 3 years, tenancies less than 12 months are uncommon, if you need a short let please call us and we will try our best to find suitable accommodation.
Click here to find out more about Residential statuses and what they mean.
2. Book in Viewings
Once you have found some properties to look at, contact us to arrange a viewing. This can be done directly from the website or by calling the team at Prestige Properties.
We will then accompany you to your viewing and answer any questions – viewings can be arranged for evenings and on Saturdays. It is imperative to keep focused on your important ‘must-haves’, for example is there sufficient storage space, parking and garden area? Look at the heating system; is it one that works in a way to suit your lifestyle?
What about the fixtures and fittings? Check if you are happy with them, it is unlikely you can get them changed once moved in. Think about the services connected to the property, is there a Sky dish, TV aerial socket and broadband connections?
Check who is responsible for bills and what the rent includes. Gas, electricity, oil and water costs are usually paid for by the tenant as well as the occupiers’ portion of the parish rates, but this is not always the case.
Look for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire certificates. Ask if there have been recent electrical compliance and safety checks and if the landlord has a current gas certificate.
3. Securing a Property
Once you have found a property you should be ready to secure it as demand continues to exceed supply of good quality flats and houses in Jersey. We suggest you are always prepared and have to hand the following:
- A form of photographic ID (passport or driving licence with birth certificate)
- Your registration card together with a copy of the front and back of the card to verify your right to rent
- Proof of your address such as recent utility bills
- Your full contact details including mobile phone, email and work number
When you have indicated your wish to proceed we will email you with a check-list of all that is required. You will need to pay a one-off administration fee of £199.50 to cover the referencing, credit check and lease preparation for the first lessee. Also a non-refundable holding fee, is required at the same time, this reserves the property for you pending completion of the referencing and the signing of the lease.
Click here to find out more about Registration cards.
4. References and Credit Check
Once you have paid the administration fee we immediately instruct a professional referencing company to contact you and you will be asked to complete a quick questionnaire and then the referencing process begins.
We will wish to verify the following referencing criteria: at least 3 years previous address history; landlord’s contact details and reference for any properties rented in the last 5 years; confirmation of earnings; employment; verification of no court judgements; bankruptcy or similar; confirmation of right to occupy.
If you are self-employed you may be asked to provide an accountant’s certificate, or your latest accounts/tax returns for the past 3 years. We complete some aspects of the referencing in-house which includes local credit checks and verifying your right to occupy, so we also will be in contact with you.
5. Tenancy (Lease) Agreement
Once your references have been received and checked and all parties are satisfied, we will produce your lease which is a legally binding document that sets out the terms of the tenancy. It is drawn up to ensure the rights and obligations of yourself and the landlord are clear and have to be signed by both parties.
The lease will include the amount of the rental payments and the date it becomes due, as well as who is responsible for repairs within the property. It will include details of the deposit and guarantee to be held, the rent review date and basis for review together with the inventory and condition report
Click here to find out more about Tenant and landlord rights.
Click here to find out more about Residential Tenancy Act (Jersey) Law 2011.
6. Inventory and Condition Report
The inventory is a detailed list of contents alongside the condition of the property and its contents before you move in. It allows the landlord and tenant an opportunity to agree the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy. In doing so, the risk of any dispute at the end of the tenancy is greatly diminished. This is prepared by an independent agency and will be given to you at check-in together with a full set of inventory photographs. You are required to sign and return this within 7 days of receipt – we recommend you thoroughly check the report before you sign it.
Click here to find out more about Condition reports for landlords and tenants.
7. Deposit
We will collect your deposit and lodge it with the my|deposits Jersey within 30 working days. You will receive a notification from my|deposits Jersey that your deposit is protected. When it comes to the end of your tenancy both you and the landlord (or agent) must authorise its release. Click here to find out more.
