Tenants
Flexible, Safe & Stress-Free Renting
Renting with
Domans Residential
Life can be unpredictable – whether you’re exploring a new area, avoiding the commitment of a mortgage, or simply unsure where the next year may take you. Whatever your reason, Domans Residential is here to help you find the right rental property with ease.
Our Commitment
At Domans Residential, we aim to make your journey of finding and renting a home smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re renting your first property or your fifth, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Questions? Visit our FAQs section or Contact us for more information.
Process of Renting a Property
On Completion Day – What to Expect
On the day you move in, a representative will meet you at the property. Here’s what will take place:
FAQs
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is new legislation that reforms the private rented sector in England. It introduces stronger protections for tenants and changes how tenancies are managed, how rent is reviewed, and how landlords can regain possession.
It represents one of the most significant changes to the private rental industry in decades.
The Act has received Royal Assent, meaning it is now law. However, many of its key provisions are not yet in force.
The government will introduce the changes in three phases, with tenancy-related changes due to begin from 1st May 2026.
Until then, current tenancy rules continue to apply.
Section 21 notices will be abolished from 1st May 2026.
Landlords will instead use Section 8 grounds to regain possession, such as selling the property, moving back in, or serious rent arrears.
This means:
- Landlords will no longer be able to ask tenants to leave without a valid reason
- Landlords must rely on specific legal grounds under Section 8
- Tenants however will need to serve a minimum Two months written notice.
This provides tenants with greater security in their home, but less flexibility to plan a move with two months’ notice required.
Yes. Fixed term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced by Assured Periodic Tenancies. (APTs)
This means:
- Your tenancy will run month-to-month
- Tenants will be required to give at least two months’ written notice
- Landlords must give at least four months’ written notice, and only for specific reasons
All existing tenancies will transition once the Act is fully implemented on 1st May 2026.
Yes. From 1st May 2026, all tenancies will move to the new system once the legislation is implemented.
This includes:
- The removal of fixed-term tenancies
- Changes to how notice is served
- The end of Section 21 notices
Yes, but only for specific, lawful reasons under Section 8.
Valid reasons may include:
- The landlord selling the property
- The landlord or a close family member moving in
- Serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour
Notice periods will apply, and tenants must be given appropriate written notice.
Rent increases must follow a formal legal process, to include the current Section 13 procedure.
Tenants will:
- Receive a Section 13 notice to increase the rental legally.
- Domans Residential have always provided landlords with rental valuations and evidence of such. Increases have always been proposed in line with the information supplied.
Rent reviews must be fair and evidence based.
No. The Act bans practices such as:
- Rental bidding wars
- Asking for rent above the advertised price
- Pressuring tenants into higher offers
- This aligns with Domans Residential’s existing ethical lettings approach.
The Decent Homes Standard will be extended to the private rented sector, requiring properties to be:
- Safe and free from serious hazards
- In a reasonable state of repair
- Properly heated and insulated
- Local authorities will have stronger enforcement powers.
This is not expected until phase three of the Renters Rights Act, dates have not been released yet, we expect this to be many years away.
No – but you will have stronger rights to request a pet.
Landlords must consider requests fairly and can only refuse for reasonable reasons (such as property suitability or allergies). Blanket bans will no longer be allowed.
The Tenant Fee Act restricts additional pet related fees.
Further guidance is expected, but tenants may still choose to hold pet insurance. This cannot be enforced, but good practice in giving your landlord peace of mind in the event of damage.
Tenants should:
- Continue to follow their current tenancy agreement
- Pay rent and report maintenance issues as usual
- Stay informed about upcoming changes from their letting agent
- Contact Domans Residential if they are unsure about notices or rent reviews
Support your landlord through these changes, you are both having to adapt to the biggest changes to the industry in decades.
No immediate action is required.
If you rent through Domans Residential and have questions about how the Renters’ Rights Act affects you, please contact us.
Furnishing Options for Tenants
Our rental properties are available with different furnishing levels, however with around 90% unfurnished. Please see as a guide below, what would suit your needs.
🏠 Unfurnished
An unfurnished property is fully completed but does not include furniture.
Typically includes:
Finished floors, walls, and ceilings
Installed lighting and electrical fittings
Fitted bathrooms and sometimes fitted wardrobes if part of the build.
Kitchen units (appliances may vary)
Does not include:
Furniture (beds, sofas, tables, chairs)
Curtains/blinds or decorative items, but can in the majority of properties.
Best for:
Long-term tenants
Tenants with their own furniture
Those wanting to personalise their space
🛋️ Part-Furnished
A part-furnished property includes some essential items but not a full furniture package.
Typically includes:
Fitted kitchen (often with basic appliances)
Built-in wardrobes or storage
Limited furniture (e.g. bed, sofa, or dining table — varies by property)
🏡 Fully Furnished
A fully furnished property is ready to move into immediately.
Typically includes:
Furniture in living, dining, and bedroom areas
Fully equipped kitchen with appliances
Curtains/Blinds.
Best for:
Short-term or relocating tenants
Corporate or holiday rentals
Tenants seeking a hassle-free move
Quick Comparison for Tenants
| Feature | Unfurnished | Part-Furnished | Fully Furnished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture included | ❌ | Partial | ✔️ |
| Kitchen & bathrooms | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Move-in ready | ❌ | Limited | ✔️ |
| Best for stay length | Long-term | Medium-term | Short-term |
Whilst no fees are taken from a tenant for securing a property, a description of our scale of fees are listed below for transparency and comply with the Tenant Fee act 1st June 2019.
Early Termination (Tenants Request)
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to pay the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property (up to One Month’s Rental Plus VAT) as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy and will be subject to negotiations between both parties being agreed. The Tenancy in place is a contractual agreement and terms need to be agreed before any further action can be taken. All Early Termination requests are subject to Landlord approval.
Domans Residential costs would depend on the time spent negotiating and drawing up in writing what is agreed on behalf of the tenant. Standard Charge of £50.00 Plus VAT (£60.00).
Change Of Sharer (Tenant’s Request)
These costs are per replacement tenant for any reasonable costs incurred, such as; To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks (£62.50 plus VAT (75.00), deposit registration and new insurance certificate (if traditional Deposit Scheme) at
£30.00 Plus VAT (£36.00) as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents, £41.50 plus VAT (£49.80). Tenants on Nil Deposit Schemes would need to contact the insurer about costs and provide appropriate deposit cover prior to signing of any new Tenancy. The Tenancy in place is a contractual agreement and terms need to be agreed before any further action can be taken. All Change of Sharer requests are subject to Landlord approval.
Lost Key(S) Or Other Security Device(S)
Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord and any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a minimum charge of £12.50 plus VAT (£15.00) per hour for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s). Security device replacement costs depend on the supplier and will normally be paid directly.
Variation Of Contract (Tenant’s Request)
£50.00 inclusive of VAT. per agreed variation. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Contractor Call Outs
In the event a contractor is called to a property and the contractor reports that the cause of the problem was through the tenants misuse or tenants not checking the basic maintenance i.e trip switches, fuses, etc. then the full costs of the callout and repair would be at the tenants own expense and the invoice would be forwarded to the tenant for payment. In the event the tenant refuses to pay, then the Landlord would reserve the right to either claim the monies back through a debt recovery company/small claims court or via the dilapidation deposit on hold at the end of the tenancy.
Recovery Of Fees/Other Charges
The Agent shall be entitled to deduct from any deposit that may be paid by a Tenant of the Landlord’s Property any fees or other monies properly due and payable by the said Tenant to the Agent as described in the Tenancy Agreement.
Unpaid Rent
Interest will be charged at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from the Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non- payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.
Holding Deposit
One weeks rent will be required to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right to- Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement(and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).
Security Deposit (Dilapidations Deposit)
A security deposit of Five weeks rent will be required at the start of the tenancy (Per Tenancy for rent totalling less than £50,000 per year)(Six weeks rent required over £50,000 per year). This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy. An alternative Nil Deposit scheme will also be offered at a cost of One Weeks rent plus VAT. Terms & Conditions apply.
Utilities, Rent, Council Tax and TV Licence
All tenants are responsible for the payment of the above and all other costs relative to the property and your personal choice (such as TV and Broadband packages) as described in the Tenancy Agreement.
Redress Scheme and Memberships
We are members of ‘The Property Ombudsman’ No. DO3551. Members of ARLA Propertymark no. M0051060, together with Client Money Protection Scheme no. C0014803.
On completion day you will be required to pay your first month’s rent and your deposit money amounting to 5 weeks rent in the form of cleared funds i.e. cash or bank transfer. Please refer to the tenants page on our website for our full list of fees. The Renters Rights act 1st May 2026, no longer allows us to accept more than one months rental in advance.
In most cases an ‘Assured Shorthold Tenancy’ agreement written by ARLA (Association of Residential Lettings Agents) is used, which is protected by The Housing Act 1988. The tenancy agreement governs all rent payments and is a legal and binding document. As a tenant you are committed to paying rent until the end of the agreed term and could face legal action and hefty interest charges if you break the terms of the agreement. If your circumstances change for any reason during your tenancy, it is important that you inform Domans Residential Ltd as soon as possible.
A Break Clause is used when a landlord and tenant have an agreement that allows either one of them to terminate the tenancy earlier than the end of the original term. A break clause can usually only be implemented after a fixed date ie during the last 6 months of the tenancy and two months written notice is normally required by either party which confirms their request to terminate the tenancy early.
Rent is paid monthly by standing order from your bank account. The standing order is set up to be taken from your account 3 days before the rent is due to allow for processing.
Yes! Your contents need to be insured as your landlords insurance will cover the items that belong to the property and the buildings insurance but none of your personal possessions.
You will be advised of all contact numbers on completion day and they will also be detailed on your tenancy agreement. If the property is managed by Domans Residential Ltd you will be required to call us and we will then arrange for any necessary work to be carried out on behalf of the landlord.
Your deposit will be returned at the end of the tenancy. However, this is subject to the property being handed back in a suitable condition and in line with the inventory that you were given at the start of the tenancy although general wear and tear will be taken into account. It is therefore very important that you read through the inventory very carefully and make any necessary amendments before signing, as this will be the document that determines the condition of the property when you moved in. All deposits are held by us under the ‘My Deposits’ backed insurance scheme and no deposit monies are released until all parties have agreed on the amount of deductions to be made, if any. Domans Residential Ltd strictly adhere to ARLA rulings and we will advise your landlord on the refund of your deposit. It is advised that you take out contents insurance that also has cover for your deposit – please ask for further information.
