{"id":23365,"date":"2020-10-29T12:57:27","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T12:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/?p=23365"},"modified":"2020-10-29T13:25:02","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T13:25:02","slug":"what-you-should-consider-when-looking-to-rent-a-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/what-you-should-consider-when-looking-to-rent-a-property\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Should Consider When Looking To Rent a Property"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- SEO Ultimate Plus (https:\/\/seoultimateplus.com) - Code Inserter module -->\n<script async>(function(s,u,m,o,j,v){j=u.createElement(m);v=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];j.async=1;j.src=o;j.dataset.sumoSiteId='b68b392479b5981b8acf46565e9fe32a0734fc21a1f7c1e60121eaa6ca1a1c64';v.parentNode.insertBefore(j,v)})(window,document,'script','\/\/load.sumo.com\/');<\/script>\n<!-- \/SEO Ultimate Plus -->\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s initially exciting to think about renting a home. It may be in a totally new area. Perhaps it\u2019s to cover the remaining years at university or because you have a new job. People can apply for tenancies that range from six months to seven years. It\u2019s not an easy process, however. There are so many different factors &#8211; such as budget, location, flat-sharing, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly there are lots of horror stories about landlords who don\u2019t fix broken appliances or deal with damp. This article is designed to make things a little simpler and to set out the key things a person needs to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Quality Of The Third Party<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People are able to rent directly from landlords, or from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/let-for-free\" title=\"letting agents\">letting agents<\/a>. If a landlord is approachable and easy to contact, it may inspire confidence. If they or the letting company are unresponsive and unhelpful, this should ring alarm bells. If they are not able to produce key documentation about energy consumption or safety, this would be concerning too. It\u2019s important to have a good ongoing relationship with whoever you will need to contact, should there be any issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some landlords delegate everything to management companies. According to the professionals at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/helloguest.co.uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airbnb Management London<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this means they may feature properties you are looking for on major platforms. They may include Airbnb, booking.com, and Expedia. The management companies may advertise short, mid, or long term <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-to-rent\" title=\"rental properties\">rental properties<\/a> to suit your personal requirements. They also have in house teams, which means you would have a single contact point for all inquiries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Individual Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people will want a spacious flat with many bedrooms, whilst others will just need a bed for the weekdays.\u00a0 If several people will be sharing the accommodation, it\u2019s important to get on well with them. Living together can strain even the best relationships, particularly when money is involved!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some peoples\u2019 needs exclude them from certain properties. The landlord may be unwilling for there to be children present, or pets that could damage the property. People who smoke also need to be aware that there could be restrictions in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/tenancy-agreement \" title=\"tenancy agreement\">tenancy agreement<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Location<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This may need to be close to work, friends or relatives. Check the local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/key-features-to-look-in-a-rental-property\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amenities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure it will be easy to find groceries, entertainment and meals out.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone looking for a new home would be wise to spend thirty minutes simply observing the immediate area. It can help a person pick up the atmosphere, observe the locals and to see what the noise and traffic levels are like.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple Viewings<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing the property isn\u2019t going to be snapped up if you don\u2019t make an immediate decision, it would be wise to revisit the home. It will be easier to spot things that weren\u2019t noticed before. There may be more questions to ask, and the chance to check any appliances or neighbours. Check for fire and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellfamily.com\/carbon-monoxide-detectors-2634187\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">carbon monoxide detectors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and look for a fire escape. Review the external quality of the house and discuss the heating system. If there are signs of damp or broken items, insist that they are fixed before you sign a contract.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your Budget\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are not four weeks in a month. The budget on the basis of rent for 52 weeks if it is a yearly contract. People should usually consider rent that is 35% of their net salary.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidden Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure there are no nasty surprises. There may be admin fees for setting up the tenancy. These may cover such things as credit checks. Research whether there are any benefits you might be able to claim. Consider Universal Credit or Housing Benefits, and the Local Housing Allowance. Some students are exempt from having to pay council tax, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23368\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/What-You-Should-Consider-When-Looking-To-Rent-a-Property-2-.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/>Find out how much deposit needs to be paid upfront. Check whether this sum will be covered by the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) as this is not always the case. Ask which utility bills will need to be paid. If council tax must be paid, how much will this be? Are there any management costs to pay for shared areas of land such as gardens?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Documents You Will Need\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to speed things up, it&#8217;s important to have immediate access to documents proving your identity. Written proof will also be requested relating to credit history, immigration status and possibly your employment. In some cases, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/housing\/renting-a-home\/using-a-guarantor\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guarantor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be needed. They will have to sign the tenancy agreement and be prepared to pay the rental fees if you become unable to. Agree with this in advance with someone. Let them know they will need to provide their signature on the legal deed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furnished Or Unfurnished?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people want to simply arrive and have all the furniture and appliances already in place. This saves time and money buying things. Having said that, the rent will be higher than if the home was unfurnished.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If someone goes for the cheaper option, they need to find out where to get everything they need and to have it delivered. All these things will cost money. If it\u2019s only a six-month contract, it may not be worth all the extra effort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check The Contract Before Signing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There will be many pages containing complex technical terms. It\u2019s advisable to obtain legal advice if this is confusing. There should be an inventory attaching to the contract. Make sure this includes everything that was promised. No one wants to arrive at a flat and discover there is no fridge or washing machine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/What-You-Should-Consider-When-Looking-To-Rent-a-Property-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"647\" \/>If this is a shared property it\u2019s important to check the landlord has an HMO license, which is for a House in Multiple Occupancy.\u00a0 The landlord may have buildings insurance in place. Check whether you need to take out contents insurance, in case things get damaged or stolen<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If things all come together for a property, the documents will be signed and a moving date agreed. It\u2019s essential to ensure the meters are read on the day. This is to provide closure for the previous tenant\/s and an undisputed date range for your future bills. Take a photo of the meters if you are able to access them. Also, collect all the contact information you need, so the landlord or letting the company can be contacted if required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s initially exciting to think about renting a home. It may be in a totally new area. Perhaps it\u2019s to cover the remaining years at university or because you have a new job. People can apply for tenancies that range<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/what-you-should-consider-when-looking-to-rent-a-property\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":23367,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wl_entities_gutenberg":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","spay_email":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"wl_entity_type":[602],"modified_by":"Editor","_wl_alt_label":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/What-You-Should-Consider-When-Looking-To-Rent-a-Property-1-.png","wl:entity_url":"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl0502\/post\/what_you_should_consider_when_looking_to_rent_a_property","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23365"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23365"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23365\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23372,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23365\/revisions\/23372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23365"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23365"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23365"},{"taxonomy":"wl_entity_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thehouseshop.com\/property-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wl_entity_type?post=23365"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}