Updated Payment Structure: Why We're Introducing a New Onboarding Approach
As part of our commitment to delivering a seamless and professional service to not only our landlords and agents but our local authority partners and occupants, Apex is introducing a new onboarding structure for all property acquisitions starting 31st March 2025.
This change isn’t just about operational efficiency, it also provides a more structured, consistent and predictable start to every tenancy, helping Apex, landlords and agents avoid uncertainty and unnecessary delays during the initial setup.
What’s Changing?
Until now, Apex has operated with an informal rent-free period which usually consists of 10–21 days where no rent is paid on unfurnished properties to allow time for furnishing and pre-let preparations. From 31st March 2025, this will be replaced by a fixed 50% adjustment to the first month’s rent, regardless of furnishing status.
This gives Apex the time and resources to fully prepare and market each property before the tenancy begins. There will be no change to the way we pay rent, only to the structure of the first month’s payment.
What Does the Initial Payment Look Like?
At the start of each agreement, Apex applies a 50% adjustment to the first month’s rent to account for the onboarding period.
The remaining 50% is paid to the landlord in two equal instalments:
25% on the agreement start date
25% one month later
From the second month onward, rent is paid monthly in arrears.
Here’s how that looks in practice, based on a monthly rent of £2,000, assuming that the agreement starts on the 1st April 2025:
Calculation | Amount |
Full Month Rent | £2,000.00 |
Minus 50% Onboarding | (£1,000.00) |
Initial Balance Due | £1,000.00 |
The initial balance will be paid in To be paid in two instalments:
£500.00 on 01-Apr-25 (the agreement start date)
£500.00 on 01-May-25 (one month later)
Thereafter, the full monthly rent of £2,000.00 will be paid on the 1st of each month, in arrears.
Payment Schedule Example
Payment Date | Description | Payment | Period Covered |
n/a | Onboarding period | £0.00 | 1st April to 30th April |
1st April | 50% of initial balance | £500.00 | as above (1st month) |
1st May | Remaining 50% of initial balance | £500.00 | as above (1st month) |
1st June | Full monthly rent | £2,000.00 | 1st May to 31st May |
1st July | Full monthly rent | £2,000.00 | 1st June to 30th June |
Payments then continue monthly in full until the agreement is ended or renewed.
Unlike most rent guarantee providers, Apex remains one of the few offering an upfront payment, helping landlords start generating income sooner.
What Happens During the Onboarding Period?
This period isn’t “free rent”. Far from it. It’s a structured time-frame where Apex carries out a full onboarding process, including:
Full property inspection and snagging issues
Installation of furniture (where needed)
Fire safety compliance (e.g. extra smoke alarms, window restrictors, fire blankets as required by councils)
Utility and council tax setup in Apex’s name
Internal marketing and matching with local authority requirements
Scheduling and hosting inspections with council officers
Securing council reservations and preparing for move-in
Local authority compliance review and licensing checks
Conducting prospective occupant viewings
Preparing property files, key sets, and welcome packs
This professional preparation ensures the property is fully compliant, presentable, and ready for occupation, helping to reduce landlord risk, meet legal standards, and ensure smoother occupancies from day one.
Why This Benefits Landlords and Agents
The onboarding period is designed to enhance the landlord experience, not delay it. Benefits remain:
No referencing delays (which typically take 5–7 working days and generate no income)
Apex assumes council tax and utility liability from day one
No delays to tenancy start dates (compared to PRS tenants who typically require 4–8 weeks)
Minimal involvement from landlords - Apex manages everything after key handover
Upfront payment still made on the day of key handover
No letting or agency fees when letting to Apex directly (unless using our enhanced packages like Compliance Plus or Property Protect)
If you have any questions about the change, feel free to reach out to your usual contact at Apex.
Apex: Your Trusted Partner in Property Management and Guaranteed Rent
At Apex, we take the stress out of being a landlord. With our no-cost Guaranteed Rent Services, you can enjoy financial security while we handle all aspects of managing your property, from rental compliance to day-to-day management.
For more advice, support, or feedback, get in touch with us!
Call us on 0203 030 4241
Email on lettings@apexhousingsolutions.co.uk
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