What are the costs involved?

We have always been transparent about our licence fees and we have never charged additional sign up costs or administration charges. As a Dot Dot Dot guardian, you will need to pay a refundable security payment, your monthly licence fee and your utility bills and council tax.

Deposit

Each guardian will need to pay a refundable security payment before they sign up. This is calculated based on 5 weeks’ of fees, which will vary from property to property. For example:

• if the monthly fee is £500, then the deposit will be £500 x 12 ÷ 52 x 5 = £576.92.
• if the fee is £700, then the deposit will be £700 x 12 ÷ 52 x 5 = £807.69.

Where our fees are inclusive of Council Tax or utilities, these will be factored into deposit calculation.

We return security payments within 28 days of receiving all necessary information. We will only make reasonable deductions if there are belongings left behind, you haven’t paid your bills or there is significant damage to your property. Apart from in these cases, we have a consistent record of returning security payments in full without any deductions.

Fees

We have no administration or sign up fees.

Each guardian will need to pay a monthly licence fee, which varies according to location, size and amenities.

Utilities and council tax

In most cases, it is guardians’ responsibility to set up, and pay for the utilities (gas, electric, water) and council tax for where they are living.

In some of our properties, however, bills are included. We will specify what bills are included on the relevant property page.

Dispute resolution

We are members of The Property Ombudsman Scheme, which gives our guardians confidence that we have systems in place and gives them access to a redress scheme if and when Dot Dot Dot’s complaints process does not resolve the situation satisfactorily.