Frequently asked questions
The main costs, what is included, how the house is managed and what happens before a tenancy starts.
Who handles the tenancy?
Martin & Co Winchester handles viewings, referencing and tenancy onboarding. Winchester Rooms is the property marketing and availability site.
Are bills and Council Tax included?
Yes. Council Tax, gas, electricity, water and broadband are included in the room rent. The included utilities are subject to a fair-use allowance of £86.66 per tenant per month. A TV licence is not included.
Why is there a fair-use allowance?
The room rent is designed to give residents a predictable inclusive monthly cost while protecting the arrangement from unusually high utility consumption. The £86.66 per-tenant monthly allowance is included within the rent — it is not an extra monthly charge. It sets the fair-use threshold above which an excess may be charged under the tenancy terms.
Is there a deposit?
Yes. A security deposit is required for a new tenancy and is protected with the Deposit Protection Service (DPS). For the current Room 1 letting, Martin & Co lists the security deposit as £686. Future room deposits will be confirmed when the room is advertised.
Is there a cleaner?
Yes. The shared communal areas are professionally cleaned every fortnight, rather than relying entirely on a resident cleaning rota. The current service is provided by Gurkha Cleaning, a Winchester-based cleaning provider. Private bedrooms remain the resident's responsibility.
What do “current advertised rent” and “standard new-let rate” mean?
Current advertised rent is the specific asking rent for a room that is actually available or being offered. Standard new-let rate is the property's published rate for a future new letting and is shown on occupied rooms so prospective tenants can judge affordability before joining the availability list.
When an occupied room becomes available, its specific advertised rent will be confirmed. The advertised rent for that proposed letting is the amount that applies, even if it differs from the standard rate shown beforehand.
What are the current standard new-let rates?
| Room | Type | Standard new-let rate |
|---|---|---|
| Room 1 | Large Double | £675 pcm |
| Room 2 | Smart Single | £625 pcm |
| Room 3 | Large Double / Study | £675 pcm |
| Room 4 | Larger Single | £625 pcm |
| Room 5 | Premium Double | £700 pcm |
What is the EPC rating?
The house has an EPC rating of C with a current score of 74 and potential score of 87 (B). The certificate is valid until 11 August 2029. View the full EPC certificate.
How many people live in the house?
The HMO is licensed for a maximum of five people in five households. Each bedroom is let for single occupancy.
Do I need to find a group?
No. The rooms are let individually, so you can rent one room without organising four other people to take the whole house.
Is there a communal lounge?
Yes. The property retains a separate furnished lounge rather than converting every possible room into a bedroom.
What equipment is provided?
The house includes a washer/dryer, vacuum cleaner, iron and ironing board, outdoor rotary dryer, kettle, toaster and general cleaning equipment. Bedrooms also have a proper desk/work setup and storage.
Is there parking?
Yes. The driveway has space for two cars, shared between residents. In addition, up to two Zone U resident permits may be available for eligible tenants and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The current council charges are £60/year for the first permit and £83/year for the second. The permits cover designated bays in Sparkford Close, Sleepers Delle Gardens and Wentworth Grange, but do not guarantee a parking space.
Driveway + resident permit parking
The property has driveway space for two cars, shared between residents. In addition, eligible residents may be able to use Zone U resident permit parking in designated bays in Sparkford Close, Sleepers Delle Gardens, Wentworth Grange.
Up to 2 resident permits may be available for the house, subject to council eligibility and the property permit allocation. Resident permits are offered to eligible tenants on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the house limit of two permits. A permit gives permission to use qualifying bays but does not guarantee a parking space.
Current council permit charges: £60 a year for the first permit and £83 a year for the second permit.
The landlord can help coordinate the application. For a landlord-assisted application, expect to provide V5C/log book and motor insurance showing the property address, together with any evidence required by Hampshire County Council.
Hampshire County Council parking permits →
Residents’ parking terms (July 2026) →
Referencing and affordability
Tenancies are subject to satisfactory referencing before the tenancy starts. To meet the property's rent-guarantee referencing standard, the minimum checks include affordability, identification/Right to Rent and a credit check. Martin & Co will confirm the documents required for an individual application.
What is the affordability requirement?
For an employed applicant, evidence should show gross monthly employment income of at least 2.5 times the monthly rent. The same 2.5× benchmark applies to monthly retirement income.
An applicant relying on savings may instead provide evidence of immediate access to savings of at least 6 times the monthly rent for the six months before the start of the policy.
For a self-employed applicant, the accepted evidence is either the previous three months' bank statements, confirmation from an accountant of gross monthly income, or the previous year's tax return showing income of at least 3 times the monthly rent.
What identification is required?
The referencing standard requires evidence that the applicant has passed the Right to Rent check and two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic.
What credit check is required?
A credit check from a licensed credit company is required, showing no outstanding or satisfied County Court Judgments (CCJs) in the previous three years and no discharged bankruptcies, unless the rent-guarantee provider gives written confirmation that the applicant is acceptable.
What if I do not meet the referencing requirements?
If the tenant does not meet the referencing requirements, a guarantor must be sought and the guarantor must meet the applicable guarantor requirements. Martin & Co will advise on the process.
What about the railway?
The railway is beyond the rear boundary on a raised, mature tree-lined embankment. The rear garden has substantial privacy/security fencing and the pedestrian/cycle route lies between the garden boundary and embankment.
Can I be notified about future rooms?
Yes. Use the availability page to register for one or more rooms. Standard new-let rates are shown beside occupied rooms so you can decide which ones suit your budget.