Application Process

I like the photos of one of your properties and I’m interested in enquiring further, what happens now?

Please get in touch with us by using the enquiry form on the Contact Us page or emailing us at hello@beehivepropertyrentals.co.uk . We can arrange an in person viewing of the property with you if you wish, however if you aren’t local we are also happy to do a video viewing.  After this, you can decide if you’d like to apply for the house/room.

What evidence do I need to supply as part of my application?

We have two application forms which we ask any prospective tenants to complete. In addition to this, we ask for tenants to provide a photo of a form of ID, as well as a confirmation of their studies and student loan application (if applicable). We also do reference checks on all tenants.

Do I need a guarantor to be able to rent one of your properties?

Yes, all tenants need a UK based guarantor who can support you if you are unable to pay your rent.  This can be a parent, family member, guarantor service e.g. Housing Hand, but please ensure that this guarantor will need to legally agree to supporting you financially and will also need to undergo a reference check.

Are there any admin fees I will need to pay when applying for one of your properties?

No, the Tenant Fees Act was introduced in 2019 which made it illegal for landlords/agents to take any payment for application/referencing fees.

Will I need to pay a holding fee/deposit?

Yes, in line with the Tenant Fees Act 2019, we would request a holding fee of one week’s rent when we confirm that you have passed our reference checks. If you drop out of the room, this holding fee will be retained and put towards the cost of us finding a new tenant.

There will be a tenancy deposit which will be due on your move in date which will be equal to two week’s rent. This deposit will then be transferred and held to the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) for the remainder of your tenancy and will be returned to you providing that you have not breached your contract.

I don’t have a student loan, can I still rent one of your rooms?

Yes, however we would require evidence of how you’d pay for your rent (e.g. bank statement showing savings) and termly payments.

I’m an international student, can I rent one of your rooms?

Yes, however there will be a few additional documents we would need to see which shows your right to be studying in the UK. If you do not have a UK based guarantor, there are services such as Housing Hand which can help. Otherwise, we’d ask for rent to be paid in advance.

How long are tenancy contracts?

Our usual tenancy agreement is 47 weeks and run from September-July to follow the academic year, however we understand some tenants may need to move in earlier/leave later so we may be able to be flexible. 

Do I need to rent the whole property with a group of friends or can I move in as an individual?

We welcome applications from individuals and groups of friends. Please check on application whether our property will require a joint or room only tenancy agreement.

What bills are included?

Gas, electricity, water, superfast broadband and communal TV licence is included as part of your tenancy agreement.  Full time students are currently exempt from paying council tax. If you are on a Room Only contract, you may need to have an individual TV licence to cover your own room.

Will there be a parking space at the property?

Our houses all have on-street parking (no designated space). Usually, a resident’s parking permit will be available through Carlisle City Council (tenant to apply themselves).

Will I receive a house inventory when I move in?

Yes, we have an independent party who takes a condition report of what is in the property when you move in and out. You are able to challenge this and send additional photos if you wish.

Is the house fully furnished?

Yes, we provide a small double/single bed and mattress in each room, as well as a wardrobe, desk and chair and bedside table/drawers if there’s space. We will also provide sofas and dining table in the communal area.  Additionally, we provide all appliances including vacuum cleaner, iron and a basic set of kitchen ware.  The only things we don’t provide are bedding, towels and cushions. This is mainly for hygiene reasons but also because we know that this is where you can put your own stamp on your rooms.

After Move In

If there is a maintenance issue, who do I contact?

Please contact us as soon as the issue arises. We may wish to come and look in person or ask for photos so we can find a resolution. We have close contact with members of the trade who help us keep the properties well maintained.

Can I have visitors staying with me?

We understand that many students have family/friends/partners who would like to visit them sometimes.  We are happy with the occasional overnight stay, however you’d need to ask other tenants if they were happy with this.

Will you do house inspections?

Yes, we will conduct a house inspection twice a year in Jan and April. This is also an opportunity for us to check in with you and ask if there’s anything we can help with.

Are tenants responsible for cleaning the property?

Yes, it is part of your tenancy agreement that you keep the house in a good condition.  If the house is fully tenanted, we will arrange a cleaner to clean the communal areas of the house, however it is still tenants ultimate responsibility.

What happens if I decide I no longer want to live in the property part way through my contract?

We understand that circumstances change and you may need to move out. On this occasion, you’d be asked to find a replacement student tenant and you would continue to be responsible to pay rent until the move in date of the next tenant. Please be aware that finding a replacement student tenant part way through the academic year is difficult, so please ensure you are prepared to stay for the full year.

Can I make any changes to the house to make myself at home?

We take designing our properties seriously and make them an inspiring place to live, however we understand that tenants may wish to add some personal touches such as photos/posters.  We hang prints in each room and tenants can use the frames to display personal photos if they wish. We’d ask tenants not to hang/stick items onto painted feature walls as we’d need to repaint the full wall if there was any damage.