Renting a home should feel easy.

Renting with us

At Trident Estates and Lettings we look after homes for individual landlords across Bedford and the surrounding villages. Because we're director-led, you'll deal with real people who know your property — not a call centre.

We're regulated members of Propertymark, protect all client money under an approved CMP scheme, register every deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), and belong to the government-authorised Property Redress Scheme for independent complaint handling.

How to apply

Once you've viewed a property and would like to proceed, the process runs like this:

1. Register your interest. Let your Trident agent know within 24 hours of the viewing so we can hold the property while you complete the application.
2. Reservation fee (holding deposit). Pay one week's rent to reserve the property. This freezes the marketing while referencing runs, and is set against your first month's rent on move-in.
3. Complete your application. Everyone aged 18+ who will live at the property completes a form covering ID, income, employment, current address, and any pets or additional occupants.
4. Referencing & right-to-rent. Our independent referencing partner contacts your employer, landlord and credit file. We verify ID separately.
5. Offer accepted & tenancy drafted. Once references pass, we draft the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) or Common Law tenancy and share it for e-signing.
6. Balance paid & keys released. Pay first month's rent and the balance of your deposit before the move-in date. Keys are handed over at the property with your inventory check-in.

Fees & deposits

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the only payments we can legally take from a tenant are:

• Rent — as agreed in the tenancy.
• Deposit — capped at 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000).
• Holding deposit — capped at 1 week's rent.
• Default fees — for lost keys (at cost) or unpaid rent (interest of 3% above Bank of England base rate).
• Change to a tenancy — £50 inc. VAT for tenant-requested changes.
• Early termination — landlord's reasonable costs, only where agreed.
• Utilities, council tax, TV licence, communication services — where the tenancy makes you responsible.

Referencing

Referencing usually takes 3–5 working days. We'll ask you (and any guarantor) for:

• Photographic ID (passport or driving licence)
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement within 3 months)
• Right-to-rent evidence (share code for non-UK/Irish citizens)
• Employment reference from your employer or three months of accountant-verified figures if self-employed
• Landlord reference for your last 12 months of tenancies
• Full credit check

If your income is below the affordability threshold (annual gross of 30× monthly rent), we'll usually request a UK-based homeowner guarantor who passes the same checks.

Moving in

On move-in day you'll meet a Trident agent at the property for the check-in inventory. We'll walk through every room together, log meter readings, hand over keys and answer any questions. You'll receive:

• A copy of your signed tenancy agreement
• The inventory and schedule of condition (you have 7 days to review and comment)
• Deposit certificate and TDS prescribed information
• How-to-Rent guide (GOV.UK)
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Gas Safety Record (where gas is present)
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Manuals and warranties for boiler, appliances and alarms

During your tenancy

You'll have a direct contact at Trident throughout the tenancy. We ask that you:

• Pay rent on time by standing order to the account shown on your agreement
• Take out contents insurance (buildings insurance is the landlord's responsibility)
• Notify utility providers and the local council of your tenancy start
• Ventilate the property regularly to prevent condensation and mould
• Test smoke and CO alarms monthly and let us know if any need replacing
• Report repairs promptly through our online form

We carry out a periodic inspection around 3 months into the tenancy and every 6 months thereafter. You'll get 24 hours' notice and a short written summary afterwards.

Repairs & maintenance

Report any issue through our online repair form — it goes straight to our maintenance team with photos attached. Emergencies are triaged first.

• Emergency (2 hours): uncontrollable water leak, complete loss of heating in winter, no power to the whole property, break-in damage, gas leak.
• Urgent (24–48 hours): partial loss of heating or hot water, blocked drains, faulty locks, WC blockage where only one WC.
• Routine (5–10 working days): dripping taps, faulty white goods, decorative repairs, general wear and tear.

Moving out

To end your tenancy on the correct date:

1. Give written notice (email is fine) in line with your tenancy agreement — usually 1 month during a periodic tenancy.
2. Keep paying rent up to and including the end date.
3. Attend the check-out inventory with your agent. We compare the property to the check-in inventory allowing for fair wear and tear.
4. Return every set of keys (and any window keys, alarm fobs, garage remotes).
5. Provide a forwarding address and closing meter readings.

Useful information

• GOV.UK — How to Rent guide
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
• Property Redress Scheme
• Bedford Borough Council — Council Tax
• Right to Rent check
• Our complaints procedure