We can help you find the perfect home. Pickard Properties has over 140 properties for professionals to rent in Leeds and across West Yorkshire. Our portfolio of professional lets consists of 1-3 bedroomed apartments and houses to rent in Leeds, Halifax, Huddersfield, Brighouse, Burley, Headingley, Horsforth, and Morley. Pickard Properties have owned and rented properties in Leeds for over 50 years and we have a vested interest in maintaining the properties to a high standard.

It is important when renting to choose a landlord you can trust. We own all of our own properties and because we are a private landlord, you can deal with us directly to organise your move and make arrangements quickly, efficiently, and hassle-free. There are no third parties involved, so we can act on maintenance issues straight away and complete work quickly. 

We are proud members of Leeds Property Association, Leeds Rental Standard, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). 

Our Lettings Process

Looking for a house

You can view our professional properties using our rental search adjusting the filters to narrow your search.

Many of our properties now offer a virtual tour so you can get a feeling if the property is right for you without arranging a viewing. You can then view a property in person if you wish by contacting our office using the enquiry form on our website, calling 0113 274 6642, or even use our live chat. We recommend viewing properties as soon as you can to avoid disappointment, our properties generally do not stay on the market for long.

Costs

To move in you will need:

Holding deposit (equal to 1 weeks rent)
First Months Rent
Security deposit (equal to 5 week’s rent where the rent is less than £50,000 p/a and equal to 6 weeks rent where the rent is above this)

You should also consider the following costs once moved in:

Monthly Rent
Council Tax
Utility bills, gas, electric, water.
Phone line, broadband, and line rental.

You can check how much you can afford on the Money Advice Centre website

Found your perfect home

Get in touch with us as quickly as possible, the rental market can move very quickly so you must act quickly to secure it.

In order for referencing to begin we require a financial commitment from you in the form of Holding Payment equivalent to one week’s rent. The property will then be taken off the market and held for you pending successful referencing. The Holding Payment will then be used towards the first installment of rent.  

Credit and Reference Check

You will be asked to give references to confirm your details and background. We will ask you to complete the details of your references online. Please make sure you give plenty of contact details so that the process is swift.  It is also worth speaking with your references/referees so they know they will be approached and can provide a prompt response.

Referencing Criteria

Three years’ address history
Landlord details for any property rented in the last three years
No County Court Judgements, Bankruptcies, Insolvencies, or adverse credit (or equivalent)
An income in excess of, or equal to 2.5x the monthly rent.
If you’re retired, then your (joint) pension, per annum, will also need to equal 2.5 times the monthly rental
If you are self-employed, either an accountant’s reference or evidence of the last three years’ tax return
No negative landlord references (if applicable)

We will also need to ascertain that you have the right to rent property in the country.

The referencing process can take anything between two and ten days depending on the cooperation of the nominated referees.

We know everyone’s circumstances are not the same, if you do not meet the referencing criteria, please talk us through your circumstances and we are able to assist.

Moving in

If your rental application is successful, we will confirm the check-in and draw up contracts. The initial contract length will be a 6-month fixed term which will then go onto a periodic agreement unless you decide to arrange another fixed term.  

Before moving into a property, payment of the first month’s rent and your deposit must be made by debit or credit card or via our online payments system. Keys can be issued as soon as the payment has been received. 

We will make arrangements for a check-in inspection at a mutually convenient time. For this, we will arrange to meet you at the property, undertake an inventory check, do a ‘walk through’ of the property to ensure you are familiar with the heating and utilities and take meter readings.

The signing of your tenancy agreement, Tenancy Deposit Scheme paperwork will take place online.

Pickard Properties aim to make renting a property a smooth, easy process. We’re continually looking for new ways to remove the stresses that are normally involved in moving into a new property.

The Inventory

We know that there is a lot to think about on moving day, and we want you to settle into your new professional rented property. We, therefore, give you a seven-day reporting window to let us know of any issues you come across in your new home. We will then quickly arrange any required maintenance and repairs, and you can relax knowing that you will not be held responsible when it comes to check-out time.

Utility Bills

You will need to contact the providers to let them know of your move. You are not obliged to continue using the same energy supplier during your tenancy with us. As a consumer, we recommend that you look for the most competitive supplier to suit you and at the very least, organise a discounted tariff as standard tariffs are generally more expensive and looking again after the fixed term deal comes to an end.

Please keep a regular record of your usage and pass actual meter readings on to your supplier. Estimated readings inevitably result in high bills and a ‘catch up’ scenario if you have not been paying enough.

Living in a Pickard Property

If there are any issues during the tenancy, there are different ways to report issues by either reporting maintenance here or downloading our Tenant App.

Our phone line is 24 hours for emergency maintenance only with an out of hours team when the office is closed.

The guidelines in respect of expected timescales for repairs –

Priority One – Emergency Repairs

Any repairs required in order to avoid a danger to health, risk to the safety of residents or serious damage to buildings or residents belongings. Within 24 hours of the defect being reported. Please also report these by calling our office on 0113 274 6642.

Priority Two – Urgent Repairs

Repairs or defects which materially affect the comfort or convenience of the residents. Within 5 working days of the report of the defect. Office opening days are Monday to Friday.

Priority Three – Non urgent day to day repairs

Reactive repairs not falling within the above categories. Within 28 days of report of the defect.

Moving Out

The notice period is 1 month as standard after the initial fixed term, please put your intention to leave in writing to us.

You will need to make sure that the property is fully cleaned and is left in a good condition for you to be entitled to your full deposit back. If there are no deductions, your deposit should be returned in accordance with the tenancy agreement. 

If you have any more queries – check out our FAQS for professionals.