Everything you need to know about renting a home through Abidins
We specialise in helping tenants find great quality rental homes across London and Essex.
Searching for a home can be stressful and time-consuming, so we take the time to understand exactly what you’re looking for. We’ll only get in touch when a property is genuinely worth your attention, no spam, no wasted viewings.
Quick navigation
Your search
Getting started
Deposits and rent
During your tenancy
Tenant protection
Legal and compliance
Complaints
Your search
Helping you search
Once you’ve registered with Abidins, you’ll receive emails and texts as soon as a new rental property comes up that matches your requirements.
Dedicated agent
You’ll have a dedicated agent who you can contact directly at any time.
Local experts you can trust
Our experienced team will make you feel in safe hands from day one. We’ll accompany you on all viewings and, if it helps, can pick you up from a local landmark and show you around the area. Our team has excellent local knowledge across London and Essex and can offer honest insight on schools, transport links, popular areas to live and what to avoid.
Getting started
Arranging your tenancy
Once you’ve viewed a property and want to move forward, we’ll negotiate on your behalf, agree terms that work for everyone and guide you through the referencing process.
1. Holding deposit
1 week’s rent
A refundable holding deposit is required to reserve the property. Once received, we’ll stop marketing the property to other applicants. If the tenancy proceeds, this is applied towards your first rent payment or tenancy deposit, as agreed in writing before you sign.
2. Referencing and credit checks
Via Let Alliance
We use Let Alliance to carry out credit checks and obtain references. Please make sure all information you provide is accurate and complete.
3. Identity and Right to Rent
Legal requirement
Before your tenancy can begin, you’ll need to provide photo ID, a valid passport, UK photo-card driving licence or national identity card, plus proof of your current address, such as a recent bank statement or utility bill. We’re required by law to carry out Right to Rent checks on all adults aged 18 or over who will occupy the property. We cannot proceed until these checks are completed satisfactorily.
4. Deposits and initial payment
Before key release
A security deposit of up to five weeks’ rent, or six weeks’ where the annual rent is £50,000 or more, is required before occupation, held under a statutory deposit protection scheme in accordance with the Housing Act 2004. Your first rent payment must be made in cleared funds when signing the tenancy agreement and before keys are released.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025
All tenancies are now periodic, there is no fixed term. Your tenancy continues until you give a minimum of two months’ written notice, or until the landlord seeks possession on a prescribed ground. Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished.
Deposits and rent
Security deposit
Any deposit deductions must be agreed in writing by both landlord and tenant at the end of the tenancy. Abidins acts as agent only, you cannot hold us liable for deductions that fall into dispute, or for any failure by the landlord to properly protect the deposit.
Paying your rent
Rent is payable by a single standing order to arrive on the due date set out in your agreement. We’re unable to accept multiple standing orders.
If rent is unpaid, interest may be charged at 3% above the Bank of England base rate from the date it was due until the date it is paid.
We don’t charge any fees for amendments to your tenancy agreement, unlike some agents, this is provided at no cost to you.
During your tenancy
Renting with Abidins
Property inspections
We carry out quarterly inspections to make sure everything is in order and to catch any issues early.
24-hour management
If your property in East London or Essex is managed by Abidins, our team and contractors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At the start of your tenancy, we’ll let you know who is responsible for managing the property, this isn’t always Abidins. Where we’re not managing the property, we can’t authorise repairs or act as a channel to the landlord, please contact the landlord directly if any issues arise.
Where we do manage the property, we’ll contact the landlord when a legitimate repair is raised and arrange contractors upon their approval, subject to you providing reasonable access. Where we don’t hold keys or a contractor can’t collect them, it’s your responsibility to arrange access.
Insurance
It’s your responsibility to insure your own belongings, the landlord’s insurance does not cover your personal possessions. We recommend arranging contents insurance before you move in.
Inventory
The landlord will arrange an inventory and schedule of condition before the tenancy begins, at their own cost. Please review it carefully at check-in and report any discrepancies promptly, it will be used as the basis for any deposit assessment at the end of the tenancy.
Utilities
You’re responsible for gas, electricity, water, telephone, internet, council tax and all other charges at the property during the tenancy. Please notify the relevant providers and your local authority when you move in and out. A valid TV licence must remain in place for the duration of the tenancy if required.
Keys
You’ll be liable for the landlord’s reasonable cost of replacing any lost keys or damaged locks due to loss or damage, fair wear and tear excluded.
Tenant protection
We are registered members of the following regulatory bodies:
The Property Ombudsman
Membership No. D8139
The Deposit Protection Service
Membership No. 1560272
Client Money Protect
Membership No. CMP003054
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute
Regulatory Compliance
Legal and compliance
Anti-Money Laundering
Abidins is subject to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations. We’re required to verify your identity and address and may need information about the source of funds. We cannot proceed until satisfactory checks are completed. An electronic identity check may leave a soft footprint on your credit file.
Data protection and privacy
Abidins is registered with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO registration: ZA246171) and complies with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. For full details see our Privacy Policy. To opt out of marketing contact info@abidins.com
Client money protection
We are members of Client Money Protect, Membership No. CMP003054. All rental payments and deposits received by Abidins are protected in line with current legislation.
Download or review our Client Money Protect Certificate
Complaints Procedure
We’re committed to getting things right. If something goes wrong, please submit your complaint in writing with as much detail as possible to:
Abidins
22 The Grangeway, London, N21 2HG
info@abidins.com
- We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 3 working days.
- A formal written response will be issued within 15 working days of acknowledgement.
- If unresolved after 8 weeks, you may refer your complaint to The Property Ombudsman for independent review.
- You must submit to The Property Ombudsman within 12 months of receiving our final viewpoint letter. All complaints must go through our in-house procedure first.
The Property Ombudsman
Milford House, 43–55 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2BP
Tel: 01722 333 306
www.tpos.co.uk
