First time renter needing opinions

pinkangelnic

Hi people

I've been a reader of these boards for a while and have noticed that you're all really helpfull and wondered if you could give me a bit of advise, I apologise if these questions seem stupid, please forgive me but I am new to renting a whole property from an agency

I've just put down a deposit on a house to let today, which i'll be renting from a letting agent. but there are a few questions I've got that i'd rather get from people who have experienced the process before.

When we looked at the property the standard of decor and furnishings are good but the owner has moved abroad and left the house yesterday ( hence why they are now letting property). Looks like she has just taken her personal possessions and left the house in its current lived in state. It needs a really good clean( the carpets are filthy the windows need cleaning and the grass cutting), we have got it for a really good price pcm. would we have to do this work ourseves or is it standard practice for a letting agent to "tidy up" the property before the tennents move in?

Also the payment for gas is by payment card, I've heard the best way to pay is by monthly dd. How easy is it to change from Payment card to monthly dd?

I've only rented a room previously so have not had these things to worry about before. Your comments are greatly appriciated

Thanks !

HazelS_2

It's VERY simple to change to a monthly direct debit system, you just need to get permission from the landlord, and then contact the company that will supply you. In some circumstances they may need to change the meter.

It's good practice to leave a house immaculate before you ove in, but you should do a walk through with the agency and do an inventory of the standard of the house, and have it marked down that x was in this condition, the rugs were dirty etc, o that when it comes to you moving out, you don't get hit with charges for them.

I HAVE heard of landlords / agencies waiving a week's rent to cover the costs to you for cleaning etc but don't bank on it!

mynameiscatherine

Hi pinkangelnic,

When we moved into our rented house it was a bit messy, but luckily on the inventory they had noted all the dust, dents in the wall, scratches on the floor etc.

The way we look at it is we don't have to worry about 'living' there, if you see what I mean? If we knock something against the wall or spill something on the carpet it's not a major problem as there were already lots of knocks and spills when we moved in.

Another good thing is that when we move out we don't have to get the place spotless - we don't even have to dust lol. We are going to though - leaving the place cleaner than we got it should mean our deposit will return in one piece

Sorry can't help about the gas/electric but good luck with the move

Geenie

Take pictures of every room, and get the LA to sign and date them as well as yourself, so there can be no future dispute as to how the place was when you took it on. And make sure your deposit is protected and you get a copy of this being so.

pinkangelnic

Thanks for all your replies, I suppose it is a slight benifit that standards are not imaculate if I do spill/ scratch somthing am just a bit of a clean freak ! And i'll try and bargain with them if they won't do the cleaning themseves to get a weeks rent off, its worth a go even if the answer is no.