Bills-inclusive properties

In recent years, demand from student and professional tenants for bills-inclusive rental options has increased significantly. A small proportion of our landlords offer rent on a bills-inclusive basis, where the landlord provides and pays for the utilities at the property. Where this is the case, it will be clearly stated in the property advertisement. Unless an advert clearly states otherwise — and this is reflected in clause 3.2 of the tenancy agreement — your contract with Dove Properties will be for rent only, with no bills included. If an advert reads “Bills Package option + ...”, this refers to the optional UniHomes package described below, not bills included within the rent itself.

The UniHomes bills package

UniHomes offer a service whereby tenants can pay their share of the property’s utility bills directly to UniHomes, who arrange the provision of utilities for the property — usually gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV licence. The price is typically based on the number of tenants signed to the property and may differ accordingly. Indicative pricing is shown on this document and may be subject to change. You are under no obligation to use UniHomes. Other providers are available, and we strongly recommend that you research the market and consider alternatives before making a decision. If, after considering your options, you wish to proceed with the UniHomes package, you will need to complete and return the order form sent with the rest of your tenancy paperwork. We will forward this to UniHomes, who will then contact you directly to set up your account. Without a completed order form, no account will be created.

Important information

• UniHomes is a separate company from Dove Properties and Estates Limited. We accept no liability or responsibility for their service or any agreement you enter into with them.

• We recommend you read UniHomes’ terms and conditions carefully before signing up, and take independent advice if needed.

• Once an agreement is in place, any utility-related queries should be directed to UniHomes, not to ourselves.

If you enter into an agreement with UniHomes for the supply of utilities, Dove Properties and Estates Limited will receive a referral commission of £35 per tenant from UniHomes. This does not affect the price you pay. We disclose this in the interests of full transparency and to ensure you are making an informed decision. We reiterate that you are under no obligation to use UniHomes, and we encourage you to compare alternatives before committing.

Commission disclosure

If you enter into an agreement with UniHomes for the supply of utilities, Dove Properties and Estates Limited will receive a referral commission of £35 per tenant from UniHomes. This does not affect the price you pay. We disclose this in the interests of full transparency and to ensure you are making an informed decision. We reiterate that you are under no obligation to use UniHomes, and we encourage you to compare alternatives before committing.  

Tenancy Information:

Contracts are legally binding for the full duration of the contract, so you should be sure of your plans before you sign for a property. Due to recently introduced "Right to Rent" Immigration legislation, we will now need to carry out identity checks on all applicants. All prospective tenants will be asked to provide documentary proof of their "right to rent".

The majority of student property Tenancy Agreements will typically last around a year, normally starting in early July and ending in late June each year. The precise date in July and June will depend on the individual property and landlord for example, a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th July start date, 28th, 29th or 30th June end date. Please be aware that all Student properties are intended to be re-let to Students and therefore we will be giving notice to seek back possession of the properties for the following Student Academic year.

Permitted Charges in accordance with the Tenant Fee Act 2019 for an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

• In addition to the rent, we only charge tenants (or anyone acting on the tenant's behalf) the following permitted payments:
• Deposits – a maximum of 5 weeks rent for annual rent below £50,000, or 6 weeks rent for annual rental of £50,000 and above. For Student properties, the deposit is typically £200 per person each for a multi-occupancy shared property
• Contract variation, novation, amendment at the tenant’s request, and where agreed by the Landlord e.g., change of occupant: £50 inclusive of VAT per instance
• Rental payments overdue by more than 14 days will be subject to interest at the rate of 3% over the Bank of England Base Rate calculated from the date the payment was due up until the date the payment was received
• Payment for the reasonable cost of any lost keys(s) or security device(s)
• Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with any allowable early termination of the tenancy, if agreed by the Landlord (capped at the Landlord’s loss or the agents reasonably incurred costs)
• Payment of the reasonable costs incurred as a result of any breach of the terms of the tenancy by the tenant
• Utility, communication services, payable to the provider where applicable e.g. gas, electricity, telephone, broadband, TV license, council tax etc.
• Any other permitted payments not included above, as allowable under the Tenant Fees Act 2019
• Please note we do not accept cash. Payments should be made by standing order or Bacs. Be advised that in some cases we will just advertise properties on an "Introduction only" basis for landlords where we have no involvement in the contract signing. In these circumstances, they may have different information to those above.
• The information provided above is set out as an outline only for guidance and does not constitute part of an offer or contract. All prospective applicants should satisfy themselves as to the correctness of all statements and should not rely on them as representations of fact.  No person in the employment of Dove Properties and Estates Limited has any authority to make or give representation or warranty whatever in relation to a property.

Please note:

• We are members of Client Money Protect, RLA, SADLA
• Independent Redress is available from the Property Ombudsman (Lettings) registration number D6774.
• We also have Landlord Client Money Protection Insurance from Client Money Protect

Downloads