Parents'/ Guarantor's FAQs
1. My son/ daughter requires accommodation for his/ her next academic year, how early should he/ she start looking at properties?
We advise students to start thinking about who they would like to live with, and where, around December time.
2. What steps should my son/ daughter take?
After looking at the properties we have available, we ask that one member of your son/ daughter's group registers under the 'Viewings' tab at the top of this page. We contact everyone who registers on our website strictly in the order in which they registered to arrange viewings.
3. How long is a tenancy agreement for?
The majority of our student tenancies are for a fixed period of 12 months.
4. When is the rent due?
Rent is collected four times per annum. Three of these coincide with student loan instalments. The first payment will be due before the tenancy commences.
5. Can I pay the rent for my son/ daughter?
Yes, this is not a problem.
6. What is a guarantor?
A guarantor is someone (usually a parent or guardian) who agrees to be responsible for the rent if the tenant fails to pay. We require all student tenants to have a UK guarantor who earns in excess of £18,000 per annum.
7. I have received guarantor forms from Sinclair Properties, am I acting as a guarantor for all the tenants?
No, you are only guaranteeing the one tenant on a pro-rata basis. We require each student tenant to provide us with their own guarantor.
8. If I am paying the rent for my son/ daughter, is a guarantor still required?
Yes. Unless the rent is paid in full before the start of the tenancy, a guarantor is still required.
9. How safe is a house/ flat with Sinclair Properties?
Gas – Each one of our properties undergo a gas safety inspection every 12 months and a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate is given to the tenants when they move into the property.
Electric – All the portable appliances provided in each property are tested every 12 months and a Periodic inspection of each property’s hardwiring is conducted every five years.
Fire safety – Every one of our properties is fitted with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. The smoke detectors are tested four times a year during inspections and the fire extinguishers are tested every 12 months.
Carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in the vast majority of our properties. These are battery free and they are changed every five years.
Letting agents are only required to ensure that properties undergo a gas safety inspection, however due to our high standards, Sinclair Properties ensures that all the above safety testing is completed.
10. Are all properties furnished?
Yes, all our properties are fully furnished and ready to move into.
11. Sinclair Properties advertises FREE Contents Insurance for student tenants. Can I have more information?
We have negotiated an exclusive partnership with ENDSLEIGH Insurance to provide FREE Contents Insurance to students in Sinclair houses where all tenants study full time.
To view the policy click here
To add additional items click here
12. Are pets allowed?
13. How much is the deposit?
We require a deposit of £350 per person for all properties with 2 bedrooms or larger, which will be protected with a tenancy deposit scheme. Your deposit will be returned at the end of your tenancy, subject to the house being left in a satisfactory condition. For 1 bed properties the deposit is higher.
14. What is a tenancy deposit scheme?
A tenancy deposit scheme guarantees that tenants will get their deposits back at the end of the tenancy, if they meet the terms of the tenancy agreement and do not damage the property.
15. Can I pay the deposit for my son/ daughter?
16. Can my son/ daughter move out before the end of the tenancy?
He/ she can move out of the property whenever they like, however the contract is for a fixed term so they are liable for the rent until the end of the tenancy.
17. When can we expect to receive the deposit back?
We aim to return deposits within 30 working days of the end of the tenancy. In most cases, they will be returned a lot sooner. Delays may occur if the property is not left in a satisfactory condition.