How our secure rental process works

Renting a new home, especially remotely, should be easy and secure. At Fair View, we have designed a transparent, multi-step process to ensure that both tenants and landlords are fully protected. Here’s how to secure your new home with complete peace of mind.

1

Landlord Verification

Fair Viewconducts thorough verification of all property owners, securing legal documentation and keys locally before any property is listed. This certifies ownership and ensures every listing is legitimate.

2

Application and Holding Deposit

Prospective tenants must submit a Rental Application. Upon the landlord's approval, a holding payment, consisting of the first two months' rent and a security deposit, is transferred to a secure agent trust account.

3

Dispatch of Keys and Contract

Following the confirmation of your payment, the apartment keys and the official rental agreement are dispatched to your designated address via a secure, tracked courier service.

4

48-Hour Inspection Period

From the moment you receive the keys, you have 48 hours to inspect the property. If the property meets your expectations, you confirm by signing the rental agreement. If it is unsatisfactory, you can return the keys, and we will issue a full refund of your holding payment.

5

Commencement of Tenancy

Upon the signing of the agreement, the tenancy officially begins. The security deposit is held securely in escrow for the duration of the lease term.

For Tenants

  • 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee: With our standardized 10-day money-back guarantee available on all rental transactions, you can rest assured that the apartment will match exactly what was described in the original advertisement and by the landlord.
  • Completely Free Service: Our services are 100% free of charge for tenants.
  • 100% Secure Payments: All payments are processed through our secure system and held in our client account until you have inspected and approved the apartment.

For Landlords

  • No Let, No Fee: We only charge a fee when your apartment is successfully rented. There are no charges for an unlet property, and we will continue to relist it at no extra cost until it is rented.
  • Guaranteed On-Time Rent: Landlords can be 100% confident that rental payments will be made on time, every time.
  • Hassle-Free Letting: Rent out your apartment from the comfort of your own home. We know time is money, so we handle the entire rental process for you. Simply wait for your payment to arrive once the tenancy is confirmed.

A Standard Rental Agreement Includes

  • Rental agreement duration
  • Monthly rent amount
  • Details of additional costs (heating, water, electricity, etc.)
  • Notice period
  • Deposit amount
  • If furnished, a full inventory list of all items (verified by our agent to confirm good condition. Any pre-existing damage is documented in writing to ensure you are not held liable when moving out)
  • General house rules, including a clear breakdown of which repairs are the landlord's responsibility and which are the tenant's

After signing, both parties are legally bound to follow the provisions in the contract. It is therefore essential to read and fully understand the entire agreement before signing, even if it is lengthy.

DEPOSITS

Most landlords require a security deposit, which is fully reimbursed when you move out, together with any accrued interest. In the event of damage to the apartment, the landlord has the right to retain the amount required from the deposit to cover the cost of repairs.

The maximum legally permitted deposit is equivalent to three months' rent plus 16% VAT. However, many landlords only require a deposit of one or two months' rent.

RENT AND MUNICIPAL FEES

"Rent" refers to the base monthly amount paid to the landlord. Any additional costs depend on the specific apartment and are stipulated individually in the rental agreement.

Utility costs such as heating, gas, water, and electricity are based on personal usage and are typically paid monthly at a pre-agreed fixed rate. Meters are read annually, and any surplus or deficit is then reimbursed or charged accordingly.

Other service charges, such as waste management, street cleaning, and communal cleaning, are calculated based on the size of the apartment. In some older buildings without individual meters, heating costs are distributed among all apartments in proportion to their size.

Most landlords require rent to be paid by direct debit or standing order, as specified in the agreement.

RULES AND PROVISIONS

Caretaker: In multi-tenant properties, a caretaker and landlord are responsible for daily operations and necessary repairs.

Winter Service and Street Cleaning: If no caretaker is provided, tenants are legally obligated to clear snow and ice from the pavement in front of the building during winter, as stipulated in the agreement. Tenants who fail to do so may be held liable for any resulting damage. Some municipalities also require weekly street sweeping.

Pets: Keeping pets in the apartment must be discussed with and approved by the landlord in advance, and the permission must be included in the rental agreement. This applies to dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and other domestic animals.

NOTICE PERIOD

A standard notice period applies if either you or the landlord wishes to terminate the agreement. A landlord may not terminate the tenancy without providing a valid legal reason. For standard rental agreements, the legal notice period is three months.