We like to think we’re plain speaking but we also know we like a good acronym, so to make it easier, here’s a list of terms and ‘estateagentese’ for you.
AST
Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
Arrears
Rent where the tenants have not paid in whole or in part after the due date agreed in the AST.
Break Clause
A clause in a tenancy agreement allowing either or both parties to follow a set procedure to break the agreement.
Buy to let
A way for investors to finance and purchase a property to be let..
Contractual Obligation
A binding obligation imposed on a party to a contract and which, if not complied with, breaches the contract.
Contractual Term
A fixed period of time stated in a contract or agreement as being the time for which the contract will last.
Company Let
An AST for a company to house an employee.
Credit Check
To check potential tenants credit history before taking on a AST.
Customer
Our customer is the Landlord, who signs the contract with our company, and we act for them.
Deposit
A sum of money agreed between the parties and paid to the Landlord or his agent by the tenant as security for the satisfactory completion of the tenancy, its terms, and as a guarantee of performance.
DPS
A Deposit Protection Scheme. A scheme where the tenant’s deposit is lodged and held until the tenant moves out.
Dilapidation
Damage or excess wear and tear to a property or its contents.
Due Diligence
A process in the performance of your duties to the generally accepted professional standard.
Duty of Care
An obligation owed to others, particularly Landlords and tenants, to provide correct advice regarding lettings and to ensure the well-being and safety of all those who visit the property.
Execute (a tenancy)
The procedure to complete a legally valid tenancy by dating the Original (signed by the landlord) and the Counterpart (signed by the tenant) and then exchanging them. The date is legally considered to be the date on which the agreement was made.
Extensions
Contracts to let residential property are for a fixed term. At the expiration of that term, an extension is negotiated (renewal) for a further fixed term, month-by-month, or on a quarterly basis.
FICO
Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office – an Inland Revenue department administering tax for your overseas Landlords.
Freeholder
Freeholder (or superior landlord). With leasehold property, there will be a superior Landlord and/or a freeholder who owns the land on which the building stands and who has ultimate responsibility for the building itself.
Gas Safety Registered
The trade organisation for registered gas fitters.
Grounds For Possession
The reasons for applying to the courts for repossession of a property and the basis of a case.
Guarantor
A third party who undertakes to be responsible in whole or part for the obligations of a tenant who subsequently breaches a Tenancy Agreement, by means of deed or enjoining on the Tenancy Agreement.
Handover
When tenants are allowed occupation of a property.
Head Landlord
A person or organisation that owns the freehold of a property that has been let out (and may be sub-let).
HMOs
A house or other dwelling in which several different households are living, sharing facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Housing Act Tenancy
Currently applied only to tenancies which fall within the scope of the Housing Act 1988 & Housing Act 1996.
Initial Term
This describes the first term period of the tenancy.
Inventory
An inventory is a list made prior to the letting, detailing all fixtures, fittings, and free-standing articles. This should incorporate a Schedule of Condition.
Schedule of Condition
This describes the state of fixtures and fittings and free-standing articles and that of the property itself.
Jointly and Severally
A legal expression where two or more persons are held responsible under one tenancy. Each can be held responsible for the whole of the tenancy as well as their share.
Landlord’s Gas Safety
Commonly called the ‘Gas Certificate’, issued by a Corgi registered contractor.
Law of Contract
Law of Contract Tenancy/Tenancies outside the scope of the Housing Acts of 1988 and 1996 and subject to the standard provisions of contracts.
Lease
A legal estate for a term of years. The lease sets out the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
Leasehold Consent
Owners of property that is ‘Leasehold’ may find that their lease requires them to apply for consent to sublet from their head Landlord.
Lessee
The tenant.
Lessor
The Landlord.
Managing Agent
A professional person or company responsible under an agency agreement for the maintenance and management of the property.
Non-Housing Act
Residential tenancies which do not meet the criteria of the Housing Act 1988 and Tenancies Act 1996 are collectively known as Non-Housing Act Tenancies.
NRL 1
Non-Residence Landlord Scheme form which is sent to the Inland Revenue.
Notices
Formal written statements to a party to a tenancy specifying certain statements and proposals. Formal documents issued at certain points during a tenancy.
Notice of Surrender
In landlord-tenant law, surrender occurs when a tenant agrees to return the leased premises to the landlord before the expiration of the lease, and the landlord agrees to accept the return of the premises. In this respect, surrender differs from abandonment, which is simply a unilateral act on the part of the tenant.
Occupancy Rights
Contained within the tenancy agreement giving the tenant the right to occupy the property.
Owner Occupier
The person who owns the property who is, has been, and will be living in the property as their sole or principal residence (relevant to Ground 1).
Parties
Landlord and tenant (and possibly a guarantor) who come together to sign a tenancy agreement. They are collectively known as ‘The Parties’ to the agreement.
Payprop
Our automated transparent payment service, getting payments to you quicker.
Periodic Tenancy
Either Contractual Periodic – a tenancy contracted by agreement to run from month to month or Statutory Periodic – when a fixed term comes to an end and the tenant remains, by agreement, in the property under the same terms and conditions as the original agreement and runs from month to month or quarter to quarter, depending upon the basis on which the rent is paid.
Power of Attorney
A legal document giving a third party an absolute or limited right over the principal’s property and assets.
Property Portals
A website or web page providing access or links to other sites.
Public Liability Insurance
An insurance policy designed to protect members of the public injured or affected by an accident or occurrence.
Property Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) is a UK government-approved organisation which aims to provide better consumer protection for home buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, by providing independent conflict resolution and raising standards of service in the residential property industry.
Resident Landlord
Where the Landlord occupies part of the dwelling as their main or principal home and lets the rest of it.
Social Housing
Mainly Local Authority, Housing Association, or Trust property.
Stakeholder
A third party or agent whose responsibility is to hold the deposit and distribute it at the end of the agreement by mutual consent.
Stamping Tenancy
Required under the Stamps Act 1891. On payment of duty, the amount of money detailed in the Act, due to the Inland Revenue.
Statutory Obligations
Requirements and obligations placed on Landlords and/or their agents by Acts of Parliament – i.e., Law of the Land.
Subject to Contract
A legal term placed as a heading on pre-contract letters to make it clear in law that the contents of that document do not constitute a contract.
Sublet
The action of a tenant in letting the accommodation to be occupied by another person for a lesser term.
Tax Exemption
An exemption number issued by the Inland Revenue Office (FICO) to your agency approving the passing of rents to the customer without a tax deduction.
Term
The period shown in the Tenancy Agreement as the length of the letting.
Term of Contract
An expression referring to stipulated rights or responsibilities expressed in a contract.
Termination
The ending of a tenancy.
Tenant Fee Ban
This is new legislation being put in place for June 1st, 2019. From this date onwards, all tenants of agents or private landlords will no longer be charged any fees for applying for properties.
To Clear Monies
To pass through the banking system. To ensure money, other than cash or bankers’ drafts, is secure in your account and available for use.