Moving Into Your New Home
Step One: Signing Your Tenancy Agreement
All tenants/guarantors will receive an email from Pingsign for signing the agreement, there is a video should you need it. Once all parties have signed, the fully signed copy will be emailed to all parties for their records.
Step Two: Making Payments of Deposits / Rent
We no longer accept cash payments. Our preferred method is via BACS and Standing Order.
The bank details for making payments are stated on your Application Accepted email and in your Tenancy Agreement.
When setting up a Standing Order for your rent, it is preferable that this is paid from one account however we understand this may not be possible with Joint Tenancies so it is fine to pay separately. Please ensure that your property code is used as the PAYE Reference for all transfers.
Your Deposit – this is due within 48 hours of your application being accepted.
Your 1st rental payment – this is due 3 working days prior to the tenancy start date to allow clearance in our account. If you are moving in part way through the month a pro-rata amount will be due, the total payment will be stated in your application accepted email – this total amount is due 3 working days prior to the tenancy start date. Thereafter, the normal monthly rent is always due on the 1st of the month.
SPM do not take direct debits, you must instruct your bank to make the payments of rent to us via a Standing Order.
Step Three: Collecting Your Keys
On your tenancy start date (stated below on your Application Accepted email) your keys will be available from our office ‘On The Square’. The collection is accessible between 2pm and 5pm only. This is on the proviso that your deposit & rent has been paid, all outstanding application documents have been received and the Tenancy Agreement fully signed. The amounts due and the outstanding documents are listed on your accepted email. We will contact the lead tenant should there be anything outstanding which prevents the keys from being available for collection.
If you are not planning to collect your keys on your start date, please notify your Property Manager in advance so they are aware. We find this is often the case with student tenancies where term start dates can vary. You can collect your keys anytime after your official start date, within office working hours, you will just need to let your Property Manager know so they can ensure that the keys are ready on the day.
Keys can be collected from our office at the times shown below, on the day your tenancy starts:
- 2pm and 5.00pm – Monday to Friday
- 10am – 1pm – Saturday (our office is closed on Sunday).
- Please note that before collecting keys, all payments (deposit & initial rental payment) must have been received from all tenants.
The code on your key fob (ending with the letter L or P) is your property reference and should be used in all correspondence with your property manager and the SouthSide team, this reference is also indicated on your tenancy agreement.
Step Four: Check In & Inventory
We work with 2/3 different inventory companies and one of these independent companies will visit the property before you move in to conduct an inventory and condition report; they will also take photographs and meter readings.
You will receive an email of the inventory and condition report within 10 working days of the date you collect the keys and you will then have 1 week to confirm all is correct and highlight any issues within the document.
At SouthSide we make it our highest priority to ensure a smooth process with the minimal of cost and disruption to you. On occasion there may be challenges with the condition or cleanliness of the property resulting from previous tenants that are not always picked up or hidden at the check-out. Should this problem arise, please notify your property manager and provide supporting photos within 3 working days of the lease commencement and we will endeavor to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Step Five: Cleanliness & Maintenance
SPM will do all they can to make sure the property is ready and no issues when you move in however with everything, we cannot guarantee that there won’t be any issues. SPM will make sure the issues are rectified ASAP. If you are not happy with the cleanliness of your property on the day of your tenancy start date, please notify your Property Manager by taking a picture of the issues and emailing it to your property manager within 48 hours so that we may rectify this for you. You can also call your property manager.
For reporting maintenance – There is information on tenants responsibilities within your tenancy documents however if there is an maintenance issue that is out with this then please follow the below.
- Emergency Issues Within Office Hours – Please call your property manager on their direct dial
- Non Urgent Issues – Report via our website here – https://southsidemanagement.com/reporting-issues-with-photo/ or email your Property Manager with a description of the fault and supporting photos/videos
- Emergencies Out With Office Hours – Southside offer an out of hours service for emergencies with an On-call Property Manager that are contactable on 0131 510 2424. Please note this is only to be called in the case of fire, flood or unsecure property.
Step Six: Setting Up Utilities & Council Tax
In order to save you time and money with delays on your utilities please ensure you take a photograph of your meter readings and contact the companies to set the accounts in your name. To find out who your electricity supplier is please contact 0330 1010 300. You can search your address on this link to find the current gas supplier https://www.findmysupplier.energy/webapp/index.html Even if you are exempt from Council Tax, you still have to apply for this and provide proof if/when you vacate.
UTILITIES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR RENT UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AGREED IN YOUR TENANCY AGREEMENT
Setting Up Your Accounts
When you move into the property you will need to set up an account with your utility providers and inform them of the meter readings at the start of your tenancy. You will also need to inform the Council for Council Tax purposes. Students are exempt from Council tax and can receive an exemption letter by emailing the Council at incomeandbenefits@edinburgh.gov.uk with their name, address and student number of each student living in the property.
Please note that unfortunately, due to the high costs associated with credit and debit card payments, we no longer accept card payments at all. Therefore we advise that you set up a standing order/regular payment with your bank for your monthly rental payments (rent is due on 1st day of the month for all properties and applicable bank account details can be found in your lease). A standing order/regular payment means that rent will automatically be taken from your account which will avoid any late fees later down the line. It also means that you won’t need to remember to transfer your rent each month.
