Guides for tenants

Whether you’re a first time renter or you’ve rented more properties than you can remember it’s always important to understand what really happens when renting a property and taking a tenancy out.

Planning

One of the first steps when it comes to renting is planning. You need to make sure you’ve decided on a number of factors including location, property size, and of course the budget for monthly rent. If you’re moving in with friends or family you’ll also need to all agree on the above and make sure that any properties are suitable for everyone.

Deciding on a furnished or unfurnished property is also an important decision to make early on. If you’re currently living in an unfurnished property it may be that you want to keep your furniture and move in to another unfurnished property. Or, if you’re currently living at home or in a furnished property and the cost of furnishing a property may not be realistic so choosing a furnished property is recommended.

Viewings

When you are viewing properties it’s important to keep your wish list in mind, but also be aware that you may have to compromise on some aspects. This is why it’s important to make a list of necessities that you can’t compromise on, and then an ideal wish list. This way you’ll be able to see what sacrifices you might need to make.

If you’re moving in with friends or family it’s important to make sure that you can all view the property otherwise organising a second viewing can often delay the process and can prolong the decision making process. Rental properties are often snapped up quickly so it’s important to keep the ball rolling.

When you are viewing properties it’s important to keep in mind, if it’s an unfurnished property, your own furniture. Will the furniture fit, will it suit the style and do you have too much or too little furniture to furnish the property?

Offer

When you’ve found the perfect property then you should notify the agent as soon as possible. Once the agent has been informed then they will able to discuss this with the landlord and start the relevant paperwork.

Completing relevant paperwork

There is a number paperwork that you will need to complete during the process. You will need to provide details of references which will include details such as employment, income, previous addresses and a credit check. This will allow the agent to understand if you will be a suitable tenant.

Paying the tenancy deposit

Once you have passed the referencing and completed any other relevant paperwork you will need to pay the tenancy deposit. The deposit usually ranges between one to two months’ rent and is held for the duration of the tenancy.

Tenancy deposit schemes came into effect in April 2007. The schemes are designed to ensure that the tenant’s deposit is looked after for the duration of their tenancy. When there is a dispute about the return of the deposit – unpaid rents or bills, damage to the property – then the case is dealt with by an independent case examiner.

Landlords must put tenant’s deposits into one of these schemes if they rent the home on an assured shorthold tenancy, which most tenancies are.

Moving in

Once the deposit monies has been paid and the tenancy agreement signed then it’s time to move in. Your agent will agree a move in date with you and they will undertake an inventory and statement of condition beforehand which the tenant and the agent will agree on and sign.

During the tenancy

During your tenancy it is likely that the agent will be managing the day to day running of your property and should be first point of contact if there are any problems with the property. If the agent is not managing the property they will make this clear and supply you with contact details of your landlord so that you can contact them directly.

Moving out

At the end of your tenancy you may get the opportunity to continue staying in the property by either signing aOur step by step guide to renting

Whether you’re a first time renter or you’ve rented more properties than you can remember it’s always important to understand what really happens when renting a property and taking a tenancy out.

Planning

One of the first steps when it comes to renting is planning. You need to make sure you’ve decided on a number of factors including location, property size, and of course the budget for monthly rent. If you’re moving in with friends or family you’ll also need to all agree on the above and make sure that any properties are suitable for everyone.

Deciding on a furnished or unfurnished property is also an important decision to make early on. If you’re currently living in an unfurnished property it may be that you want to keep your furniture and move in to another unfurnished property. Or, if you’re currently living at home or in a furnished property and the cost of furnishing a property may not be realistic so choosing a furnished property is recommended.

Viewings

When you are viewing properties it’s important to keep your wish list in mind, but also be aware that you may have to compromise on some aspects. This is why it’s important to make a list of necessities that you can’t compromise on, and then an ideal wish list. This way you’ll be able to see what sacrifices you might need to make.

If you’re moving in with friends or family it’s important to make sure that you can all view the property otherwise organising a second viewing can often delay the process and can prolong the decision making process. Rental properties are often snapped up quickly so it’s important to keep the ball rolling.

When you are viewing properties it’s important to keep in mind, if it’s an unfurnished property, your own furniture. Will the furniture fit, will it suit the style and do you have too much or too little furniture to furnish the property?

Offer

When you’ve found the perfect property then you should notify the agent as soon as possible. Once the agent has been informed then they will able to discuss this with the landlord and start the relevant paperwork.

Completing relevant paperwork

There is a number paperwork that you will need to complete during the process. You will need to provide details of references which will include details such as employment, income, previous addresses and a credit check. This will allow the agent to understand if you will be a suitable tenant.

Paying the tenancy deposit

Once you have passed the referencing and completed any other relevant paperwork you will need to pay the tenancy deposit. The deposit usually ranges between one to two months’ rent and is held for the duration of the tenancy.

Tenancy deposit schemes came into effect in April 2007. The schemes are designed to ensure that the tenant’s deposit is looked after for the duration of their tenancy. When there is a dispute about the return of the deposit – unpaid rents or bills, damage to the property – then the case is dealt with by an independent case examiner.

Landlords must put tenant’s deposits into one of these schemes if they rent the home on an assured shorthold tenancy, which most tenancies are.

Moving in

Once the deposit monies has been paid and the tenancy agreement signed then it’s time to move in. Your agent will agree a move in date with you and they will undertake an inventory and statement of condition beforehand which the tenant and the agent will agree on and sign.

During the tenancy

During your tenancy it is likely that the agent will be managing the day to day running of your property and should be first point of contact if there are any problems with the property. If the agent is not managing the property they will make this clear and supply you with contact details of your landlord so that you can contact them directly.

Moving out

At the end of your tenancy you may get the opportunity to continue staying in the property by either signing another tenancy or moving to a rolling contract.

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