SIX WAYS TO MAKE LOOKING FOR A RENTAL PROPERTY IN THE UK EASY

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

 

If you are planning to relocate to either another part of the city you live in or to another part of the country entirely, then it’s more than likely you will be looking for a property or room to rent. In these circumstances, you will need to ensure you find a property that meets all your needs as you will be signing on to live there for at least six months as tenancy agreements usually have this as the minimum time period. Other contracts might be for a year, so it’s especially important that the property you rent ticks all your boxes. These six tips below will go some way to ensuring you rent the right property for you.

Always Research the Area You’re Moving To

Regardless of which area you are relocating to, you’ll need to know what travel systems are in place and which parts of your new area have transport links such as buses, trains and trams. Your exact location in a city or town can determine the kind of experience you have while living there so it’s crucial you figure out what facilities you want close by and which ones you are happy to traipse across town for.

Identify Properties via a Letting Agent

Identifying your rental property with the help of a professional letting company is strongly advisable due to the additional security that they provide. The company will ensure your deposit is secured throughout your tenancy as well as offer advice and information regarding the payment of utility bills and any other legal issues you may need to be aware of.

Flexibility is Your Friend

That’s probably the cheesiest sub-header ever written, but it certainly rings true when it comes to finding a property to rent. Keep your options open when searching as this will help you find the best deal for your circumstances. For example, if you have moved closer to your job in the city centre, then narrowly focusing on properties within the city centre itself will just cause you to miss out on much less expensive properties on the outskirts of the city. These other properties may have bigger or better living conditions as well. It all comes back to researching the area, as you should be searching in all places where there are suitable transport options for you.

House-Sharing Reduces Costs and Expands Your Social Circle

You don’t have to rent alone these days as there are always plenty of people looking to house-share to reduce costs, with young professionals and students being the main demographic doing this. There are also plenty of other advantages to house-sharing besides the financial benefits, such as the security of living with other people. You’re also likely to make new friends which can be important if you have moved to a new city where the only people you know are those you work with.

Be Ready to Pounce

Some areas, especially the bigger cities, have an abundance of potential tenants putting a high demand on the best rental properties. When searching for a property in these places, you need to be ready to seal the deal as quickly as possible. This means having your references and any other helpful documentation with you when viewing a property while ensuring you look presentable when meeting your potential landlord. It can also be helpful to prepare a couple of sentences you can say which explain why you would be an ideal tenant.

Discuss Expectations with Your Landlord

Once you have identified a property, talk to your potential landlord about what they expect from you during your stay. Obviously they expect the rent to be paid on time, but discuss any other relevant issues such as garden maintenance. This is also a good time to get clarification on how quickly the landlord can move should there be any issues with a broken boiler or leaky washing machine. It’s good to know where you both stand on these issues before committing to a contract together.