Frequently Asked Questions
Bee City Living is here to help navigate you through your Tenancy application and your Tenancy.
Do use our Tenants portal to find helpful information.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from tenants. If we didn't cover what you are looking for reach out to us at hello@beecityliving.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 211 3908.
Q: What utilities do I need to pay for at my property?
All tenants need to set up accounts for gas (if applicable), electricity, water, council tax, and broadband, each account will need to be set up independently. Please note that you are responsible for all utilities from the start date of your tenancy and not from the day that you move in if these dates are different.
Follow this link for more detailed advice on how to set up your accounts.
Q: Where do we meet to collect the keys for the property?
All keys are to be collected from our office Chapel Street Office, Unit 3, 150 Chapel Street, Salford, M3 6AF at your confirmed Key Collection Appointment time, if you have not made an appointment yet please reach out to us on hello@beecityliving.co.uk.
Q: What if I find any damage or maintenance issues in the property?
It is important that you report issues as soon as you identify them, so your landlord can arrange for appropriate repairs. If you are responsible for any damage to the property then you would be expected to pay for the repair.
If the maintenance help pages did not solve your maintenance issue, please report the issue to us via an email to maintenance@beecityliving.co.uk with accompanying pictures or videos.
Q: Can I redecorate or make any changes to the property?
As a tenant may want to put your own personal stamp on a property whilst you are living there, you can certainly decorate with personal belongings but when it comes to more permanent changes such as painting walls we ask you to contact us in writing so we can request permission from the landlord.
Importantly do note that you are required to return the property at the end of the tenancy in the same condition that you received it, subject to normal wear and tear. Where permission is granted, you will normally be required to return the walls/rooms to the original colour and condition at the end of your tenancy. You should keep in mind that if a property has been professionally painted before you occupy it, when you decorate at the end of the tenancy it will need to be to the same standards.
If you'd like to hang pictures or decorative items we recommend that you do not use nails or blu tac as these will need to be made good when you leave (filled, sanded, and repainted in case of a hole) we find using Command Strips the best product to use to hang items which can be purchased online or by many major supermarkets/DIY stores.
Q: Can I keep a pet?
You should not keep a pet at the property unless your tenancy agreement specifically allows for it.
Q: Do I need to mow the lawn?
Where there is a garden, you will generally be responsible for maintaining the upkeep, unless the tenancy agreement specifies otherwise.
Q: Can my partner/friend move in with me?
Tenants should always ask permission to move a friend or partner in. You should not allow anyone to live at the property who is not named on the tenancy agreement and any person staying for prolonged periods of time can be asked to leave. If you do not inform us then you could be in breach of your Tenancy Agreement. If you do want somebody else to move into the property you should ensure you speak to the other housemates to ensure they are happy too and then you should contact us to request the landlord for permission.
Q: What do I do if we receive post addressed to the ex-tenants or landlord?
If you receive post that is not addressed to any of the residents in the house, we ask that you mark it 'return to sender' or reach out to us via email to check if it is post for the landlord and we can make arrangements to collect this post from you. If you receive post addressed to 'the resident' or 'the occupier' you will need to open this.
Q: There's no heating or hot water at the property, what should I do?
The first thing to do is check that your hot water/central heating is turned on at the mains and that the timer clock is set to the times you would like. If you have a boiler in your property check that the boiler pilot light is lit, if there is no light pull down the flap at the front of the boiler which gives instructions on relighting.
Where you only have hot water and no central heating or vice versa, check that the dial on the boiler is in the hot water/heating position and it is not in the hot water position only.
If you have electric heaters at the property and one is not working at all, check for a tripped breaker in the fuse box as the fuse may have blown. Reset the breaker in the fuse box and reach out to us if it will not reset.
If you have gas central heating, your individual radiators will have thermostatic valves, please ensure that these are turned to the correct 'on' position. If the radiator valve is turned on but there is no warmth then there might be gas trapped in the radiator preventing the hot water from circulating - please reach out to our maintenance team who can take action to release the gas.
If you have tried all these things and are still experiencing a problem please report to our maintenance team.
Q: I can't find any utility meters in my property, where can I get up-to-date meter readings?
If you live in a house, your gas and electricity meter units are likely to be in external cabinets which require a cabinet key to unlock, and the water meter under the kitchen sink - if you cannot locate these please reach out to us.
If you live in an apartment your meter is likely external to the apartment in a locked utility room that only the caretaker or concierge can access - please check the relevant pages on Moving In to check if your apartment building is listed there and look for instructions on how to obtain the readings.