We specialise in new-build and newly renovated properties. That's a deliberate choice — they pass inspection almost instantly, need next-to-no maintenance, and let you focus on the one thing that actually matters: the tenant. Here's the realistic timeline from signing to your first guaranteed payment.
This is the simple version. Underneath each of these sits a more detailed process — which we've laid out week-by-week below.
For new-build or newly renovated properties, this is fast — there's nothing to fix, nothing to bring up to standard. We confirm room configuration and you're straight through to onboarding.
We agree your guaranteed weekly rent per room and sign a clear management agreement covering the full term.
Documents are submitted, the property is onboarded with our RSL partner, and tenants are placed and supported.
Once onboarding and approvals are complete, your guaranteed rent is paid into your account every month — void or not.
Before onboarding can begin, these certificates and documents need to be in place. Once your property's built and ready, these are typically arranged in the lead-up to handover — everything beyond this list, including all RSL paperwork, agreements and approvals, is handled by DJR.
This is the part most agents don't explain. Here's exactly what's involved, and roughly how long each stage takes — so you can plan around it rather than be caught out by it.
Your management agreement is signed and your guaranteed weekly rent per room is confirmed in writing.
For a new-build or newly renovated property, inspection is close to a formality — there's nothing to remediate. We confirm the property meets the all-ensuite (or self-contained) standard and submit all required documents to our RSL partner straight away.
The RSL reviews the submission and formally onboards the property. This stage depends on the RSL's own processing time and can't be rushed from our end — but we chase it actively.
Referrals are matched to your rooms, tenants move in, and support arrangements begin alongside them.
A Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) approval is submitted to confirm housing benefit funding. Approval typically confirms payment from the following month.
Once SEA approval is confirmed, your guaranteed rent begins. Note that funders typically hold the first two months' payments before release — a standard industry practice, not a DJR policy, but one we factor into your payment schedule so there are no surprises.
Older properties almost always need work before they meet standard — fire doors and frame upgrades, rewiring, damp issues, the list goes on. That's weeks of delay and cost before a tenant even moves in.
New-build and newly renovated properties skip all of that. They already meet building regs, fire safety standards, and the all-ensuite layout we need. Inspection is close to a formality, and ongoing maintenance is minimal — call-outs are rare and, on new builds, usually still under warranty.
That means less for you to think about, a faster path to your first tenant, and a property that just works from day one. It's why this is the only type of property we take on.
The 8–10 week runway before your first SEA-approved month — plus the standard two-month payment hold from funders — means there's a realistic gap of roughly 3–4 months between signing your agreement and seeing your first rent land.
Once that runway is complete, your guaranteed rent is consistent, monthly, and unaffected by voids. We'd rather set this expectation clearly from day one than have it come as a surprise partway through onboarding.
From experience, it's what works. These properties already meet fire safety and building standards, so inspection is fast and there's no costly remedial work — older, untouched properties usually need fire door and frame upgrades and more before they qualify.
Beyond providing access for the initial inspection and any requested documents, no. We handle submission, onboarding, tenant placement and the SEA process from end to end.
All rooms must be ensuite as a minimum (£150/room/week), or the property can be fully self-contained (£175/week). We won't take on properties below the all-ensuite standard.
From that point, your guaranteed rent is paid monthly regardless of occupancy. We continue managing tenants, support, maintenance and compliance for the life of the agreement.