Rental property is an important sector of the housing market. If you have had experience of being a tenant or are searching for your first property to rent there can be so much to consider and organise.
I have put together a guide to help you find your new home.
Prepare
Think about when you want to move and where you would like to live. Look at areas and properties in your price range, don’t forget to factor in moving costs, council tax and utility bills.
Budget
Most landlords and agents will calculate your ability to afford a rental property using a very simple formula. Your monthly income should be 2.5 times the monthly rent. Bear this in mind when making your list of properties to view and don’t forget to factor in bills.
Register your interest
Good properties do not stay on the market long. Click here to register your details, area and type of property you are looking for. This will put you ahead of the queue and you may be contacted before we even put the property on market.
Viewings
You will be looking at various properties in your search. Try not to book too many viewings on the same day as they will all start looking the same by the end of the day.
Take pictures at your viewings and make notes on positives and negatives of each property. This will help you make a decision.
Act Decisively
When you have found a suitable home, act quickly. Good properties do not stay around long so make your offer as soon as you can.
Holding fees
If your offer is accepted, you will need to pay a holding fee normally equal to one weeks rent. This is a sign of your commitment and will be deducted from your first month’s rent if you proceed with the tenancy.
Getting References
To proceed with the tenancy, we will carry out reference checks. This will include obtaining a reference from your previous landlord, employment, and credit checks.
Contract Agreement
Once the application and referencing are complete you will be asked to read and sign your contract. It exists to protect both you and your landlord. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me.