Most Asked Questions

What is a Bond?
The bond (sometimes referred to as the deposit) is paid as cover against losses incurred by the landlord and/or managing agent. These losses or expenses include damaged items accidentally, disappearing items or deliberate removal of property and outstanding debts attached to the property/tenancy.
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How much will my bond be?
A bond is usually anything from 4 to 8 weeks worth of rent. The sum demanded can also be strange, unconnected amount. There are no set rules governing how much of a deposit a landlord is entitled to ask for.
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How can I pay for my bond?
Your bond will need to be cleared funds by the time you come to sign the contract. If you want to pay the bond at the signing you must pay your bond by either cash, bankers draft or credit/debit card. If you are paying your bond prior to 5 working days before signing the contract you may pay by any of the aforementioned methods or bank transfer.

Please note that any credit card payments are subject to a 2% charge, although we do not charge for debit cards

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Who keeps my bond?
If the property is managed by CPS Homes, we will usually hold your bond in our designated DPS account. If the property is managed by the landlord, we will transfer the bond directly to the bond scheme they are with. You will receive information on this once the bond is registered with the appropriate scheme.

Click here for information on The Deposit Protection Service

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When will I get my bond back?
Your bond will be returned to you within 14 days receipt of your keys being returned and proof that utility (gas, electric, water and council tax if applicable) bills for the property have been paid. Naturally, this is subject to any costs or expenses as described in What is a Bond?
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What happens if I breach my tenancy agreement?
If you dont treat the property as you are expected to or leave it in the state agreed, then you will be liable for any costs involved in ensuring that the property is brought back up to the standard required. This often includes things like cleaning windows and carpets.
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Can I use my bond to pay my last months rent?
No, it is a breach of your tenancy agreement to forgo your deposit and not make your rent payment in the last month of your tenancy. If you fail to pay rent, you could find that you have lost the bond and are still liable for the rent you didnt pay. This could be pursued through the courts.
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What is an inventory?
The inventory is a full and detailed report of the furniture, contents and state of repair of the flat or house on the day that you move in. It will list all of the major areas in every single room in the house, giving complete details of every knock, mark, stain and bit of damage that is available to the naked eye. If there are any fittings, fixtures, furnishings or other contents that are being made available with the property, such as crockery or kitchenware for example, these are also listed individually. The inventory should be signed and returned within 14 days of receipt.

Once you have signed the inventory, it forms the basis for any deductions for breakages, loss and damage. When the tenancy ends and you leave the property, either CPS Homes or your landlord will check the inventory. Any deductions will come directly out of your deposit. This makes it vital that the condition of the property is accurately recorded at the start of the tenancy, or you may be charged for something that you didnt do or a missing item that was never there.

If for any reason you are not provided with an inventory, you should write your own inventory of the furniture, contents and state of repair of the property and get either us or the landlord to sign it.
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What do I do if I have a maintenance emergency?
Call us on 029 2045 4555. The office is open from 8:30am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri and 9.30am-1:30pm Sat.

If you call out of hours, listen to the answer phone message! You'll hear a list of phone numbers for contractors who may be able to help you until we are open again in the morning!
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If I can no longer take the property can I transfer my Agency fee to a different one?
If you have not yet signed a Tenancy Agreement for the property provided it has been 2 weeks or less since you left you initial agency fee you will in most cases be able to transfer the agency fee paid to another house marketed by CPS Homes. Please note we are only able to transfer a fee once and only within 2 weeks of original payment.
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