Durham property lettings

The professional letting process with Wellbridge

We’re here to help you find the perfect home

Our range of professional rental properties includes 1-3 bedroom apartments and houses available across the North East.

As proud members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), we are committed to providing quality service.

Here's how our professional letting process works:

Step 1: Finding your ideal home

Start by browsing our properties using our online search tool, where you can filter by your preferences to make your search easier. Many of our properties feature virtual tours, so you can get a feel for them before scheduling a viewing. If you like what you see, you can contact us to arrange an in-person visit. You can reach us via the enquiry form on our website, by calling 0191 925 0631, or by using our live chat. As our properties tend to rent quickly, we recommend viewing them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

property landlords lettings 800px

Step 2: Understanding the costs

Here are the costs you’ll need to cover when moving in:

  • A holding deposit equal to one week's rent
  • Your first month’s rent
  • A security deposit (five weeks’ rent for properties with a rent under £50,000 per year or six weeks’ rent for properties over this)

Once you’re settled in, you’ll also need to budget for:

  • Monthly rent
  • Council tax
  • Utility bills (gas, electricity, water)
  • Phone line, broadband, and line rental

You can also use the Money Advice Centre website to calculate your affordability.

Step 3: Securing the property

Once you’ve found your ideal home, get in touch with us right away. The rental market is fast-moving, so acting quickly will help you secure the property. To begin the referencing process, we’ll need a holding payment equal to one week’s rent. This will take the property off the market and hold it for you while we carry out the necessary checks. The holding payment will be applied to your first rent payment once everything is confirmed.

Step 4: Credit and reference checks

You’ll need to provide references to verify your details. We’ll send you an online form to complete with your reference information. Be sure to provide accurate contact details for your referees, and it helps to notify them beforehand so they can respond promptly.

Our reference criteria include:

  • A three-year address history
  • Landlord details for any rented property in the past three years
  • No County Court Judgements, bankruptcies, or other adverse credit issues
  • An income that’s at least 2.5 times the monthly rent
  • If retired, your (or joint) pension should equal at least 2.5 times the monthly rent
  • If self-employed, you’ll need to provide an accountant’s reference or proof of the last three years of tax returns
  • No negative landlord references (if applicable)

We’ll also confirm that you have the right to rent property in the UK.

Depending on your references, this process can take anywhere from two to 10 days. If you don’t meet the criteria, don’t worry - just get in touch with us, and we’ll work with you to find a solution.

Wellbridge offers property consultancy services for student and professional lets

Step 5: Moving in

Once your application is successful, we’ll confirm your move-in date and draft the tenancy agreement.

Your initial contract will typically be for six months, after which it will become a rolling periodic agreement, unless you decide to renew for another fixed term.

Before you move in, the first month’s rent and your security deposit must be paid by debit/credit card or through our online payment system. We’ll hand over the keys once the payment is received.

We’ll also schedule a check-in inspection where we’ll meet you at the property, conduct an inventory check, show you how everything works, and take meter readings.

The tenancy agreement and any necessary paperwork (such as Tenancy Deposit Scheme documentation) will be completed online.

At Wellbridge Property, we aim to make the rental process as smooth and stress-free as possible. We’re constantly finding ways to make your move easier.

The inventory

We understand moving can be hectic, so to help you settle in, we offer a seven-day window for reporting any issues with the property. We’ll take care of any repairs or maintenance, so you won’t be responsible for them when it’s time to move out.

Utility bills

You’ll need to inform your utility providers of your move-in date. While you’re not required to stay with the current energy suppliers, we encourage you to shop around for a better deal. Standard tariffs can be expensive, so consider switching to a more competitive supplier or negotiating a discounted rate after your initial contract ends.

Keep a record of your meter readings and share them with your suppliers to avoid estimated readings, which could lead to higher bills.

Step 6: Living in a Wellbridge property

During your tenancy, you can report any issues by either submitting a maintenance request or using our Tenant App.

For emergencies, our phone line is available 24/7, and we have an out-of-hours team to assist when the office is closed.

We aim to repair issues as quickly as possible, with the following priority levels:

Priority One – emergency repairs

Repairs needed to prevent danger to health, safety, or significant damage to the property or belongings. These will be addressed within 24 hours of being reported. Call us on 0191 925 0631 for emergencies.

Priority Two – urgent repairs

Repairs that significantly affect comfort or convenience. These will be addressed within 5 working days.

Priority Three – non-urgent repairs

Repairs that are less urgent, with a target timeframe of 28 days for resolution.

property lettings 1800px

Step 7: Moving out

After the initial fixed term, we require a one-month notice if you intend to move out. Please submit your notice in writing.

To get your full deposit back, make sure the property is left in a clean and well-maintained condition. If there are no issues, your deposit will be returned in line with the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ section for professionals.

Corporate relocation durham newcastle
Wellbridge property developers logo