We have a reliable vetting process and ensure we obtain proof of identity of each Landlord and proof of ownership of any properties we will be managing.  This helps ensure that any agreements that are entered into will be legally sound and that the properties we market are legitimate.

Yes, we are! Many Property Management companies are not currently regulated, but we have undergone specialist training to become qualified and eligible for membership with Propertymark Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). You can view our certificate here.

In addition to this, we hold all client money within a Client Money Protection scheme account.

We are also members of The Property Ombudsman and Trading Standards.

We use e-signatures to improve process efficiency for all parties to the agreement.

In general, electronic signatures have been legally recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2002 with the Electronic Signatures Regulations.

The Law Commission launched a review in 2018 concluding in September 2019 which reported on the legal validity of electronic signatures and concluded that they are admissible as evidence in court provided they meet certain criteria.

We only use providers who comply with the regulations set out by the eIDAS which ensures that any documents are legally binding, just as if they were signed with ink.

Yes, we hold all client money (Tenants or Landlords) within a ring-fenced account which is protected under the Client Money Protect Scheme.

You can see our certificate here.

As part of our setup process, we will send you instructions on how to set up your regular payment.  The instructions will include information such as:

• Bank Details – so your payment goes to the correct account.
• Personalised Payee Reference – so we can easily verify your payment and add it to your Account Statement, which you will be able to see within your Tenant app.
• Amount – this is the figure that is outlined on your Tenancy Agreement.
• Start Date – Your first month’s payment will be sent with your deposit, so the payments usually begin on the second term of your tenancy.
• Frequency – usually set to repeat Monthly on a specific date, but your Tenancy Agreement will confirm this.

The account details may vary depending on the level of service your Landlord has requested from us.  In all but our Let Only service, we will only provide our Protected Client Account details, however, if your Landlord is self-managing the property then we will also share their details for your on-going payments.

Holding Deposits are typically one weeks’ rent and help us ensure that only serious applicants are selected.  Once the Holding Deposit is cleared, we inform the market by updating the status as “Let-STC” and begin arranging referencing and drawing up contracts.

This Holding Deposit will then go towards your first month’s rent if you decide to proceed.  If for some reason the Landlord decides not to continue with your application then you will be refunded in full, subject to conditions which are made clear to you during your application.

We protect all deposits with The Deposit Protection Service.  Your Deposit is protected in some form the very moment it is received into our Client Account.  By law we are obligated to transfer your Deposit to a Government Approved Deposit Protection Scheme within 30 days of receiving it.  We will endeavour to set this up within a Custodial Scheme in a much shorter time frame than this.  While we do, your money is protected within our Client Money Account through the Client Money Protect Scheme.

We will handle this process for you as the Tenant for no cost.  For this reason, we strongly advise caution before transferring any money directly to the Landlord.  You are free to do so, but we must emphasise that you carry out all the proper due diligence to ensure that your money is adequately protected as we cannot accept any responsibility for your deposit this way.

We have a Duty of Care to all stakeholders, but our client is the Landlord.  We make it clear before the tenancy begins, what services are available to you as the Tenant.  For help with anything you don’t understand you should seek advice from a solicitor, or the free services of the Citizens Advice Bureau.

We have a vetting process for all the contractors on our panel. This helps ensure that we send only adequately insured, qualified and trustworthy individuals to carry out work in the property.

Check out our Privacy Policy for details on how your information is securely stored with us and who (if anyone) will be given your details at certain stages of the process.  

Vesta Lettings has been built from the ground up by competent and qualified people.  It is, however, important for you to do your own due diligence on all companies and people you do business with, so we have tried to explain all significant scenarios below and how you are protected to make it easier for you.

The Tenancy Agreement, an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, is between the Landlord and the Tenant, so this will remain in place even if Vesta Lettings Limited ceases trading.  This agreement also turns into a Periodic Tenancy once the fixed term expires, so the AST continues regardless of whom takes on the Property Management activities.

All client money, which is from or for Tenants, Landlords or Contractors are safely stored within our Client Money Account (as explained above).  This ensures that it does not get confused with Vesta Lettings accounts.

The Deposit money is stored with a Government Approved Deposit Protection Scheme, this means that a third party holds this money on behalf of the Tenant and Landlord, so again it is fully protected and separate from Vesta Lettings internal affairs.  We use the Deposit Protection Service for protecting all deposits we receive.