FAQs

We are a private, corporate landlord. That means that we build houses exclusively for the private rental sector (PRS), and manage them throughout the lifetime of the buildings. We work closely with partners from acquisition of land through the build process to managing tenancies. So we’re a landlord with a difference!

The oldest properties in our portfolio were built in 2014. You can rest assured that if you’re moving into a home that has had a previous occupier, it will have been extensively checked and cleaned so it’ll feel just like new when you step through the door.

All our properties are currently available unfurnished only.

All available properties will come with their EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) which contains details of the property’s efficiency.

You will also receive a copy of the EPC as part of your move-in pack.

Our properties are built with renting in mind – but not as you know it. We want them to be high quality and built to last, so you can enjoy your home for as long as you like. In fact, a lot of our properties come with a spec as good as you’d expect for private sale! Because we know that if you have quality at the start, it lasts a lot longer and is easier to maintain.

We also make sure that all our homes come ready for you to move in, with fully fitted and integrated kitchens complete with all your standard white goods including washing machine, fridge freezer, oven and hob, dishwasher, so you’re ready from the very first day. Just add furniture!

For more info on our standard spec, check out this page – but note that it may vary slightly by property and development so if in doubt always get in touch.

Pets are certainly allowed in our DifRent houses, and are permitted at no extra cost! However we do require them all to be applied for so we can keep track of what furry residents we have on each site. There is also a limit to how many properties per development can have pets, to keep things comfortable for any residents who don’t have or want animals nearby.

Therefore you’ll need to fill out an application form before your pet moves in. You can also see our full pet policy online.

It’s easy – with properties across Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, your first step is finding your ideal location. Then simply give our fantastic team a call to discuss what homes are available.

As we are for private rent – and are not classed as ‘affordable’ housing – you will need to meet certain affordability criteria. But our lovely team will go through all the details with you to find your perfect home at the right price point.

We work with referencing company Let Alliance who will take your referencing details.

The timeframe varies as it depends on how quickly you submit your documents to us and when your referee comes back to Let Alliance – on average they would normally take 3-7 days to process.

We will work with you to find a solution if possible, which may include having you pay a proportion of rent up front (6 or 12 months), or providing a guarantor.

If you’re concerned about your credit history, give us a call and we’ll talk you through the options available.

We always ensure that any fees are completely aligned with legislation, and that means that since the 1^st June 2019 we reduced what we were charged throughout applications and tenancies.

You will still be required to pay a holding deposit (deductible from your first month’s rent), a security deposit and your first month’s rent up front. You can view a full list of our fees here.

Rent is paid by Standing Order, which means it is your responsibility to ensure the details and amount are correct.

All our properties will undergo an annual rent review – however this will be in line with market rents at the time of review. We will always inform you of an upcoming rental increase.

We will work with you to find a solution if possible, which may include having you pay a proportion of rent up front (6 or 12 months), or providing a guarantor.

If you’re concerned about your credit history, give us a call and we’ll talk you through the options available.

In the first instance please get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss your situation. If it’s a temporary change, then we will work with you to put together a payment plan to defer or spread out rental payments.

If you are no longer wanting to stay in your property, then we will also see whether we can downsize you to a smaller property within the DifRent portfolio so we can keep you in the family.

We always ensure that any fees are completely aligned with legislation, and that means that since the 1^st June 2019 we reduced what we were charged throughout applications and tenancies.

You will still be required to pay a holding deposit (deductible from your first month’s rent), a security deposit and your first month’s rent up front. You can view a full list of our fees here.

Your deposit will be lodged with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, an independent company in line with Deposit Protection regulations. They’ll keep hold of it until you’re due to move out, and also adjudicate any reduction requests to make sure you get back everything that you should.

After you’ve applied for your property, your application will need to go through referencing, where an external party will check all your tenancy details and ensure you’re good to proceed. As always we’ll keep you updated throughout the process so you know what stage you’re at. We will also begin to liaise with you on the estimated move in date.

Properties come available at different times throughout the year, and if you’re moving into a previously occupied home then we will also be arranging with the old occupiers about when they’ll be moving out, whilst allowing enough time to get any cleaning and maintenance done so it’s in perfect condition for you.

If your property is on a brand new development that’s still being built, we will do our best to keep up to date with the build team on progress so we can give you an accurate move in date. As is often the case with construction, we sometimes face unexpected delays – but throughout the process we will keep you as informed as possible so you can start planning your move.

You will be invited to one of our branches to collect your keys – please bring valid ID with you.

When you move in, you’ll receive a welcome pack with info about your house including handy appliance manuals, as well as a box of goodies with essentials so you can make that first cup of tea!

Whilst we do notify all relevant utility companies of your move in, it is a resident’s responsibility to make sure accounts are fully setup and kept up to date with each utility provider.

We take care of the front garden and communal green spaces, so you just need to keep the back garden neat and tidy!

If you want to personalise your home by hanging pictures and using clever décor then feel free! We recommend using no-damage hanging solutions such as Command Strips to avoid putting any holes in the walls.

If you want to do more extensive decorating such as painting, you will need to get in touch first with us to get permission. This includes looking to add anything to your garden such as sheds, additional patios or flower beds.

Any changes you make to the property will need to be reversed as and when you move out again at your own cost, to restore the property to the original condition from when you moved in. That’s so any future occupiers get to enjoy the same blank canvas you did! We can give you details about paint brands and colours as required, just ask.

If something goes wrong in your home, we have a 24/7 online reporting system called FixFlo to help you easily and quickly let us know of any issues.

We will always do our best to fix any problems around your home, however as you would expect if damage is caused through misuse we may need to pass the bill on! We’ll always talk you through the situation though to make sure everything’s being done to keep your home comfortable.

Any problems should be reported through FixFlo, which will send a notification direct to your Asset Manager and enable you to track the status of your request.

Remember we also have handy how-to videos so you can fix minor problems yourself, so you don’t have to wait for someone to come out!

If situations change and the registered occupiers on your tenancy agreement need to be updated, just get in touch either by calling 0345 686 6540 or emailing [email protected]. All occupiers over 18 will need to be referenced and won’t be permitted to move into the property until they have passed.

Please note that the rental amount is per property, not per occupier, so adding or removing an occupier won’t change your rent!

We conduct regular property health checks every six months to make sure that the property is up to scratch and that any minor issues can be noted and dealt with quickly. This is so you can be confident that your home is maintained to the right standard so you can keep on enjoying it! We will always let you know well in advance of when our team are going to be coming around – you are welcome to be present at the health check or not, just let us know when the date is confirmed.

We want all our residents to feel completely at ease in their homes and in their wider communities. If you experience any form of antisocial behaviour whilst living in a DifRent property please let us know as soon as possible. We always work with the utmost discretion, but feedback from our residents helps us to keep our neighbourhoods safe and comfortable.

Of course if you believe anything criminal is occurring, contact the police in the first instance and then let your Asset Manager know. We work closely with local authorities so again will do what we can to resolve any problems.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you think you have lost your keys, so we can arrange for a replacement set and / or your locks to be replaced. Depending on the circumstances of the loss we may need to charge a small fee.

As a DifRent resident, you don’t get just a fantastic home that’s professionally managed by people who care… you get a whole lot more! From seasonal competitions with excellent prizes, to on-site events bringing everything from ice cream to pizza to Santa Claus (and reindeer!) to your door, you’ll find yourself a part of a great neighbourhood of people.

We are a private, corporate landlord. That means that we build houses exclusively for the private rental sector (PRS), and manage them throughout the lifetime of the buildings. We work closely with partners from acquisition of land through the build process to managing tenancies. So we’re a landlord with a difference!

Our phone lines are open 24/7 with a dedicated out of hours service.

However should you need emergency attention please call the appropriate emergency services or emergency utility lines appropriately.