Tenants
Tenants
Renting with us
Renting in Stockport and Manchester with Durrell & Joe
We look after homes to rent across Stockport, South Manchester, Manchester city centre and Cheshire, on behalf of their landlords. To us it’s a property we manage. To you it’s home, and we never forget that.
What you can expect from us
- A reply. Sounds simple, right? We know how frustrating it is not to hear back, so if you ask us something, you get an answer.
- Nothing is too small to report. We would rather hear about a dripping tap in week one than a ceiling in month six.
- We keep in touch, not just when something breaks. Every 90 days we will call and email to check how things are going, so you are not the one who has to chase.
- Every contractor coming to your home has signed our Contractor Promise. Vetted, insured and qualified, and committed in writing to turning up when they said they would and leaving your home as they found it.
- Straight answers about the deposit: what is coming off it and why, with evidence.
How to rent a home with us
1. Find it and view it
Have a browse and get in touch. We’ll arrange a viewing at a time that works for you. And if it’s already gone, we’ll tell you straight away, not leave you hanging.
2. Apply and pay a holding deposit
If you want it, we take a holding deposit of one week’s rent to take the home off the market. That is the legal maximum, and it comes off your first month’s rent if the tenancy goes ahead.
3. Referencing and Right to Rent
We check affordability, previous landlord references and employment, and we are legally required to check your right to rent in the UK. Have photo ID, proof of your current address and recent payslips or accounts ready. If your situation’s a bit unusual, tell us early. It’s almost always workable, and we’ve seen most things before.
4. Choose how to cover your deposit
Once you have passed referencing, we introduce you to our partner, Zero Deposit. You then choose what suits you:
- Pay a cash deposit of up to five weeks’ rent, protected with the DPS and returned at the end of your tenancy, less any agreed deductions.
- Use the Zero Deposit Guarantee instead, and pay a much smaller amount up front.
It is entirely your choice, and we will never push you either way. The options are explained below.
5. Sign, pay and move in
Once you have signed the tenancy agreement, you pay the first month’s rent, plus your cash deposit if you chose one. We then hand over the keys with a full inventory, the meter readings and a copy of everything you have signed.
What it costs to rent
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 there are no admin fees, no referencing fees and no renewal fees. What you pay is:
- Holding deposit: one week’s rent, deducted from your first month
- Security deposit: capped at five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is under £50,000
- First month’s rent, paid once the tenancy agreement is signed
Your deposit is protected with the DPS, a government-approved scheme, within 30 days of us receiving it, and you will get the scheme details in writing. If anyone asks you for more than this, they’re breaking the rules. Full list of permitted payments on our fees page.
No deposit or no guarantor? No problem
We partner with Zero Deposit to give you more ways to secure your new home. Once you pass referencing, you can choose a traditional cash deposit, or one of these two options.
Zero Deposit Guarantee: keep more cash for your move
Instead of handing over five weeks’ rent, you buy a guarantee that covers the landlord.
| Cash deposit | Zero Deposit Guarantee | |
|---|---|---|
| Up front | Up to five weeks’ rent | Around one week’s rent, plus a £59.99 set-up fee |
| Each year | Nothing | £17.50 a year, from the first anniversary |
| At the end | Returned to you, less agreed deductions | Not refundable; the guarantee simply ends if there is nothing owed |
| If there is damage or unpaid rent | Deducted from your deposit | You pay it; disputes go to an independent adjudicator |
With either option, you are still responsible for any damage or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy. Zero Deposit’s fees are set by Zero Deposit, so check the latest figures on their website before you choose.
Guarantor+: if you don’t have a UK guarantor
No family member who can act as your guarantor? Guarantor+ is a regulated guarantor alternative from Zero Deposit, designed for people who do not fit the usual rules, such as students, self-employed people and renters moving from overseas. Decisions are usually instant, and Zero Deposit will give you the price before you commit.
Questions? Call us on 0161 410 2401
Pets
Ask! Tell us from the start if you’ve got a pet (we love a photo), and we’ll put it to the landlord. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords must consider your request and can only say no for a good reason, such as the home not being suitable, a lease that prevents it, or severe allergies.
Something needs fixing?
Tell us. Nothing’s too small. Pop a photo in too, because it often saves a visit. If it is a genuine emergency (a gas leak, no water, no heating in winter, an electrical fault or anything unsafe), ring 0161 410 2401 rather than emailing, and we will treat it as urgent.
[Field] Your name
[Field] Property address
[Field] Mobile
[Field] What’s the problem?
[Field] When did it start?
[Upload] Add a photo
[Field] Best times for a contractor to visit
[Button] Report my repair
Message after submitting: Thank you, we have your repair. We will be in touch within one working day to book it in, and sooner if it’s urgent.
Tenant FAQs
Renting in Stockport and Manchester: your questions answered
How much notice do I need to give to leave my rented home?
Two months, in writing. Since 1 May 2026, almost all private tenancies in England are rolling (periodic), so you can give notice at any time, including in the first few months. Your notice needs to end on the last day of a rent period, so give it on or before your rent day.
Tell us early if you are planning a move. It helps us find the next tenant and makes your check-out smoother.
Can my landlord put the rent up, and how often?
Yes, but only once a year, and not in the first 12 months of the tenancy. Your landlord must give you at least two months’ notice on the official form (Form 4A, a Section 13 notice).
If you think the new rent is higher than the going rate for similar homes, you can ask the First-tier Tribunal to decide. We back every rent review with comparable evidence, so you can see why a figure was chosen.
Can a landlord ask for six months’ rent up front?
No. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, a landlord can only ask for one month’s rent in advance, and only once you have signed the tenancy agreement. The only other payments allowed are a holding deposit (up to one week’s rent) and a security deposit (up to five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is under £50,000).
Can I be outbid on a rental property?
Not with us, and not legally. Landlords and agents must now advertise a fixed rent and cannot accept offers above it. If several people want the same home, the landlord chooses based on references and fit, not on who pays most.
Can a landlord refuse me because I receive benefits or have children?
No. Since 1 May 2026, landlords and agents in England cannot refuse a tenant because they receive benefits or have children. Every applicant still goes through the same affordability and referencing checks, and a guarantor or Zero Deposit can help if you are close on affordability.
What can a landlord take from my deposit, and what counts as fair wear and tear?
A landlord can claim for real losses: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal use, missing items, or cleaning needed to return the home to its check-in condition. They cannot charge for fair wear and tear, meaning the normal effects of everyday living such as small scuffs, faded curtains or a worn carpet.
How much wear is fair depends on how long you lived there and who lived with you. We compare your check-out against the photographed inventory and show you the evidence for anything we propose.
What happens if I disagree with a deposit deduction?
You can use the deposit scheme’s free dispute service. Your deposit is held by the DPS, so neither we nor the landlord can keep money that is in dispute; an independent adjudicator decides based on the evidence. Most disagreements are settled before that stage, simply by talking it through with the photos in front of us.
There’s mould in my flat. Who is responsible?
Tell us straight away, with photos. Mould can come from a building problem, such as a leak, failed seal or poor ventilation, which is the landlord’s job to fix, or from everyday condensation, which good ventilation and heating usually solve. Often it is a bit of both.
We will inspect, find the cause, and put repairs in hand. We would always rather see a small patch in week one than a ruined ceiling in month six.
Can I decorate, put up pictures or change things in my home?
Usually, yes, with the landlord’s agreement first. Ask us before you paint, drill or change anything, and we will get you a written answer, usually within a few days. Small things like picture hooks are often fine; bigger changes may need to be put back when you leave.
I’m self-employed or work through my own limited company. Can I still rent?
Yes. Instead of payslips, we usually ask for your last two years’ accounts or tax returns (SA302s), recent bank statements, or a letter from your accountant. If you have recently gone self-employed, a guarantor or Zero Deposit’s guarantor option can bridge the gap. Tell us early and we will tell you exactly what will work.
Can I rent a home in Stockport or Manchester before I move to the UK?
Often, yes. We can arrange a video viewing, carry out referencing remotely, and complete your Right to Rent check using your Home Office share code where you have one. Get in touch with your move date and what you need, and we will tell you what documents to have ready.
Do I need contents insurance?
It is not a legal requirement, but we strongly recommend it. The landlord’s insurance covers the building and their own items, not your belongings or accidental damage you cause. Many policies also include tenant’s liability cover, which can protect you if something like a burst washing-machine hose damages the property.
Is Zero Deposit cheaper than paying a normal deposit?
It is cheaper up front, but not always cheaper overall. You pay around one week’s rent plus a set-up fee instead of five weeks’ rent, which frees up cash for your move. But that fee is not refunded, while a cash deposit comes back to you if the home is left in good order. If you can afford the cash deposit, it usually costs less in the long run; if moving costs are tight, Zero Deposit can make the move possible. You choose after you pass referencing.
Get in touch
We’ll come round, give you a figure with the reasoning behind it, and tell you what we’d do differently. No fee, no obligation.
Call 0161 410 2401
Email – hello@durrellandjoe.co.uk