Lettings Guide
Renting A Property With EO Estate Agents
Renting a property should feel straightforward, from finding your next home and arranging a viewing to moving in and settling into your tenancy. At EO Estate Agents, we’ll guide you through the process and keep you informed at each stage, helping to make your move as smooth as possible.
Renters’ Rights – What You Need to Know
The rules governing private renting in England changed on 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act. These changes include the move to assured periodic tenancies, new rules around rent increases and rent in advance, changes to possession proceedings and new protections relating to pets and rental discrimination.
Finding Your Home
Start your search by registering your requirements with EO and browsing our latest properties to rent. We’ll help you find a property that suits your needs and arrange viewings at a convenient time.
How do I register with EO?
Get in touch with our team and let us know what you’re looking for, including your preferred location, property type, budget and any specific requirements. We’ll keep you updated when suitable properties become available.
How should I prepare for a viewing?
Think about what matters most to you before you arrive, such as location, space, condition and potential improvements. It’s also a good opportunity to ask questions about the property and local area.
What should I look for when viewing a property?
Making an Offer
Found the right property? We’ll help you put forward your offer and discuss your position with you before presenting it to the Landlord.
What information should I provide with my offer?
When making an offer, it can be helpful to provide information about your circumstances, including your preferred move-in date, employment and income details, and whether you have any specific requirements. We may also ask whether you have a guarantor and who will be living at the property. Providing this information upfront can help us present your application clearly to the landlord and progress things as smoothly as possible.
Can I negotiate on the asking price?
The advertised rent is set by the landlord, but you can discuss your offer with us and we’ll put it forward to the landlord. Any agreed rent will be confirmed before your application progresses.
What happens if there are multiple applicants?
If there is strong interest in a property, the landlord will consider the applications received. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and explain what information is required to progress your application.
What happens once my offer is accepted?
We’ll confirm the agreed terms and explain the next steps, including the referencing process and information we’ll need from you. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process and let you know what happens next.
Offer Accepted
Once your offer has been accepted by the landlord, we’ll guide you through the next steps to get your tenancy ready. We’ll explain what information and documents are required, arrange the necessary checks and keep you updated throughout the process.
What do I need to do after my offer is accepted?
We’ll confirm the agreed terms with you and explain the next steps, including referencing, Right to Rent checks and preparing your tenancy agreement.
What documents do I need to provide?
You’ll generally need to provide identification and information relating to your income, employment and current or previous address. The exact requirements will depend on your circumstances and the checks being carried out.
What does the referencing process involve?
Referencing helps confirm your identity, financial position and suitability for the property. Depending on your circumstances, this can include checks on your income and employment, previous rental history and references, as well as a Right to Rent check. We may also ask for a guarantor where appropriate. We’ll explain what information and documents are required and guide you through the process.
Your Tenancy
Once you’ve moved in, your tenancy will run on an ongoing basis under the current assured periodic tenancy system. We’ll be here to help with communication and matters relating to the property throughout your tenancy.
What is an assured periodic tenancy?
Most private rented assured tenancies in England are now assured periodic tenancies. They run on a rolling basis, such as monthly or weekly, rather than having a fixed end date.
Can the Landlord increase my rent?
Under the current rules, rent can generally only be increased once a year and your landlord must follow the correct process and provide the required notice.
Can I have a pet?
Tenants can request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must consider the request. A refusal must have a valid reason under the current rules.
How do I report a repair or maintenance issue?
If you’re renting a property managed by EO, we’ll explain how to report maintenance issues and help coordinate the appropriate response. If your property is under a rent collection service, we’ll confirm who you should contact for repairs.
Ending Your Tenancy
When you’re ready to move on, we’ll help you understand the relevant notice requirements and guide you through the check-out process, helping to make the move as straightforward as possible.
How much notice do I need to give?
Under the current assured periodic tenancy rules, tenants generally need to give two months’ notice in writing. Your notice should normally end on the day your rent is due or the day before. You’ll need to continue paying rent during your notice period.
What happens at the end of my tenancy?
We’ll arrange the check-out process and assess the property’s condition against the relevant inventory. You’ll need to return the property and any keys as agreed, and we’ll explain the next steps regarding your tenancy deposit.
How is my deposit returned?
Your deposit should be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. Once the tenancy has ended and the check-out process is complete, any agreed deductions will be dealt with and the remaining deposit returned in accordance with the scheme’s process.
Can my landlord ask me to leave?
Under the current rules, a landlord must have a valid legal reason to seek possession of an assured periodic tenancy and must follow the correct legal process. Section 21 ‘no fault’ notices are no longer available for most private rented properties in England.