Tenants' guide to flatfair

We recommend that all flatfair tenants carefully review the information below.

This is our tenant’s checklist (the important bits to remember before signing your flatfair No Deposit agreement).

I understand that:

• flatfair’s No Deposit solution is an optional alternative to paying a cash deposit
• flatfair is not an insurance product 
• I remain liable to pay for any sums owed to my landlord under the Tenancy Agreement
• I must pay promptly for any lawful charges made at the end of the tenancy
• I may have to pay for lawful charges caused by other tenants (due to being ‘joint and severally liable’)
• My flatfair check-in fee is non-refundable (it is not a deposit) and won’t count towards covering the cost of any end-of-tenancy charges
• All my responsibilities and obligations as a flatfair tenant are outlined in my flatfair No Deposit agreement
• Raising a dispute without good reason may cost £25

Do I have to sign up to flatfair?

Choosing flatfair’s No Deposit solution is always optional. However, if you choose to use our service, you will need to sign up to our platform.

No Deposit renting made easy

At flatfair, we’ve made it our job to understand tenants. We know that moving house is a stressful event, but there’s no need to worry – we’re here to help. flatfair is the simple, safe and affordable alternative to expensive tenancy cash deposits. In a nutshell, flatfair creates stronger relationships between tenants and landlords, settling end of tenancy charges quickly, fairly and securely, whilst protecting all parties through a government-authorised Independent Dispute Resolution provider.

How flatfair works

Instead of an expensive deposit, flatfair tenants pay a one-off check-in fee worth one week’s rent (+VAT) (split evenly between the household).

Once your tenancy is over, your letting agent or landlord submits any proposed charges and supporting evidence for your review on our easy-to-use online platform. You can counter any charges with your own evidence and try to reach an agreement with your landlord. If you or the landlord disagree about a charge, it can be resolved through Independent Dispute Resolution – just like a regular deposit scheme.

As part of your No Deposit plan, you’ll get:

• Lower move-in costs with no traditional deposit to pay
• Unlimited access to www.flatfair.co.uk
• Access to a government-authorised dispute resolution service if you need it
• Quick, fair and secure resolution of proposed charges

What are tenants' responsibilities? 

A flatfair tenant's responsibilities are exactly the same as those under a standard tenancy cash deposit scheme. 

In addition to this, we ask that you:

• Update your personal and payment information on our online platform
• Stay up to date with your flatfair tenant status
• Deal with any charges or disputes fairly
• Ensure timely payment of any rent and other lawful charges. 

If you have any questions regarding your responsibilities as a tenant, simply contact your letting agent. 

Pay later 

flatfair will only charge you for any lawful charges after your tenancy has finished.

What is a lawful charge?

Your letting agent or landlord will submit a proposed charge, and evidence for you to review, through our online platform at the end of your tenancy. From the charge submission date, you have 10 days to either:

1. Agree to the charge. 

The charge then becomes established and is payable by you and the other tenants of the household.

2. Counter the charge 

The charge becomes established if you reach an agreement with the landlord following a counter-proposal and is then payable by you and the other tenants of the household.

3. Dispute the charge 

If no agreement on the charge is reached, then you or your landlord may raise a dispute after paying the adjudication fee of £25 (+VAT). The charge is then referred to flatfair’s Independent Dispute Resolution provider, who determines if the charge is lawful based on information submitted by you and your landlord via www.flatfair.co.uk.  If the Independent Dispute Resolution provider determines the dispute in your favour, we will refund the adjudication fee in full.

Please note that if you don’t respond within 10 days from the charge submission date, the charge becomes automatically established and is then payable by you and the other tenants of the household.

Transparency 

At flatfair, we’re always striving to be completely transparent, that’s why:

• Tenants don’t need to tie up large sums of cash for a long period
• Tenants have access to a greater range of rental properties
• All parties collaborate to  make sure that charges are dealt with fairly and paid promptly, whilst maintaining the accommodation quality