1. I’m looking to rent
Key Stages:
Viewings
Applications
Holding deposits & sample tenancy agreements
Referencing & Guarantors
Draft agreement & payment of tenancy deposit
Holding Deposit
Before paying a holding deposit, please read our Holding Deposit Policy carefully. A holding deposit may be retained and not refunded in certain circumstances, so you should make sure you understand the terms before committing to a property.
What we check before offering a tenancy
ID verification
Right to Rent
Address history
Employment and income
Affordability
Credit check
Landlord reference
Guarantor, where required
Sanctions/PEP checks where applicable
We complete these checks to make sure tenancies are granted fairly, lawfully and responsibly.
Privacy Policy
Please read our Privacy Policy before applying. It explains how we collect, use and share your personal information for applications, referencing, compliance checks, tenancy management and legal obligations.
2. I’m moving in
Key Stages:
Signing documents
Pro-rated first rent payment
Check-In and Code of Conduct
Inventory
COHO setup
Check-In
Please arrive on time for your scheduled check-in. If you are late, do not attend, or need to rearrange at short notice, you may be required to pay a reasonable rebooking fee. You must bring your original ID with you, and keys will only be released to the named tenant after all checks, documents and move-in requirements have been completed.
Inventory
We will issue an Inventory to record the condition, cleanliness, contents, fixtures and fittings at the start of your tenancy. Please review this carefully and send us any proposed amendments in writing within 48 hours of the later of your tenancy start date/time or the inventory being issued to you. If you cannot access the inventory or supporting photos, please tell us within that 48-hour period.
COHO
CoHo is the online property management platform we use during your tenancy. You’ll use it to access tenancy information, report maintenance issues, receive updates, and communicate with the management team. It is the primary method used for communication.
Complaints procedure
Please familiarise yourself with our complaints procedure before moving in, so you know how to raise a concern and what to expect if something goes wrong during your tenancy.
Important: Please Read These Before Applying
There documents are important and must be read.
SAMPLE ASSURED TENANCY AGREEMENT
Tenant Hub - Existing Tenants
3. I'm already living here
Report a repair
Routine repairs, defects, safety concerns and access issues should be reported through COHO unless the matter is a genuine emergency. Emergency routes should only be used where there is an immediate risk to life, health, safety, security, serious property damage or serious interruption to essential services.
Emergency contact
If something urgent happens outside normal hours, use the emergency contact route provided to you. Non-emergency issues should be reported through CoHo so they can be logged and managed properly.
Please only use the emergency contact route for genuine emergencies. Repeated misuse for non-emergency issues may result in routine contact being redirected to CoHo or email, and unnecessary call-out costs may be charged where permitted.
Rent and arrears support
Rent must be paid on time and in line with your tenancy agreement. If you think you may have difficulty paying rent, please contact us as early as possible so we can discuss the situation and avoid unnecessary escalation.
Property access and appointments
We may need access for inspections, repairs, safety checks, contractor visits or local authority visits. Where notice is required, this will be given in line with your tenancy agreement via COHO. If you agree to an appointment and then fail to provide access or cancel without reasonable notice, you may be responsible for reasonable third-party costs where recoverable by law.
Smart heating in HMOs
Many of our HMOs use Inspire or Hive smart heating systems. These are designed to maintain a safe and reasonable indoor temperature, but they do not run continuously.
Key points:
The heating only comes on when the property temperature drops below the programmed setting, usually between 19°C and 22°C.
If the thermostat already reads at or above the set temperature, the boiler will not turn on.
In milder UK weather, the house may feel cool at times, but this does not always mean the heating is faulty.
Tenants should dress appropriately indoors during colder months, such as wearing jumpers, socks or layers.
Radiator valves should be left on, usually at setting 5, so the system can heat the property evenly.
Tenants must not use personal heaters, including fan heaters, oil heaters, paraffin heaters, LPG heaters or freestanding plug-in electric heaters, as these can create fire risks and interfere with the heating system.
Where available, the boost function may be used between heating cycles, but it will only work if the temperature is low enough and will stop once the set temperature is reached.
Please report heating issues through CoHo rather than adjusting, resetting or interfering with the heating controls.
Pet requests
If you would like to keep a pet at the property, you must make a written request before bringing the pet into the property. A pet request form will need to be completed.
We will consider each request fairly and respond in writing, usually within 28 days once we receive all the necessary information.
Pets may be less suitable in shared accommodation, including HMOs, where allergies, phobias, hygiene, safety, animal welfare, lease restrictions, licensing requirements or the reasonable needs of other occupiers must also be considered.
4. I'm moving out
Key Stage:
Termination Notice
Cleaning
Check-Out
Inventory
Landlord reference & deposit return
Termination Notice
You must give notice in writing if you want to end your tenancy. Your notice must usually be at least two months and must end on the first or last day of a rental period, as set out in your tenancy agreement.
Notice should be sent to Lettings@SentinelLettings.co.uk or on COHO.
Cleaning
Before you leave, the room or property should be returned in a clean condition, with all personal belongings, food and rubbish removed. Fixtures, fittings and contents should be left in the same position and condition as at the start of the tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Check-Out
You will be invited to a check-out inspection at a mutually agreed time. Please attend as agreed, as missed appointments may result in reasonable rebooking costs and, if repeated, the final assessment may be completed without you.
Inventory
The check-out will compare the condition of the room or property against the original Inventory and Schedule of Condition. This helps assess cleaning, damage, missing items and any changes beyond fair wear and tear.
Landlord reference & deposit Return
If you need a reference, please request this through CoHo or by email. References are provided on a factual basis and may include rent payment history, tenancy conduct and the check-out position. Please ensure your final rent and any arrears are paid, as outstanding balances may be reflected in the reference.
In most cases, your deposit has been handled by your landlord and will be returned after the tenancy ends, less any agreed or justified deductions such as unpaid rent, damage, cleaning, missing items, unpaid bills or other breaches of the tenancy. Please provide a forwarding address to help us administer the return efficiently.
Feedback
Thank you for choosing Sentinel. We have appreciated supporting you during your tenancy and would be pleased to help you, or anyone you know, find a new place in the future.
We are always looking to improve, so your feedback is very valuable to us. Please take a moment to complete the feedback form below.
Helpful Guides
Practical guidance and key policies.