First time renter looking for advice please

HH62

I'm signing a lease agreement next week on a rental apartment. I've never rented before, have always lived in our own mortgaged home since leaving parents home to get married many years ago.

I'm an unemployed soon to be divorced middle aged woman with no kids, I'm having to pay 6 months rental up front. I've paid £120 to the letting agency and a £650 deposit already. Do I get my deposit back at the end? I'm living off my savings until the divorce is settled, and will hopefully be able to buy a place of my own in about 6 months. (depends on the divorce settlement)

The letting agency hasnt been much help so far as inventory, getting electricity and gas connected etc.

Any advice/tips that would help me would be most appreciated. I'm feeling totally overwhelmed by the whole process right now!

BobProperty

So long as you don't damage the place you should get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy. Bear in mind there are plenty of threads on here about pillocks of landlords who seem intent on keeping tenants deposits when they are not entitled to.
For your own protection it may be worth drawing up your own inventory and taking pictures of the state of the place.
As for getting Gas and Electric "connected" is this place brand new? Otherwise you just need to tell the utilities concerned that you are the new tenant and these are the meter readings when you moved in. They might start getting silly with credit checks and the like. Whose name were the bills in at your previous home?
Also, as you were thinking of buying in the near future, get on the electoral register at your new address or remember that you were at the previous address when you start mortgage applications. The former is safer, especially if your about-to-be-ex starts getting silly about things (and don't I know about that!).

DopeyDora_2

Hi HH62,

I'm also renting privately at the moment whilst saving for a house deposit (nearly there now!).

I presume you are paying 6 months up front due to the unemployment?

I have also paid £650 deposit. You will get this back when you move out once the flat has been inspected. You shouldn't lose any deposit for "fair wear & tear" to the property.

An inventory should have been prepared before you move in listing any contents of the property & state (eg scuff on bedroom wall, mark on kithcen lino). You should check the property over as soon as you move & sign inventory if you agree with it, or amend/comment if not. This will be what is used to check the property when you leave so it is important it is accurate.

Check the meter readings as soon as you move in & phone the suppliers to confirm you have moved in on such & such a date. Same applies for council tax. The letting agents should be able tell you who the suppliers are or ask the landlord for you. Be warned that you generally aren't allowed to change gas/elec suppliers.

Check the terms & conditions of your lease carefully for what you can/can't do with the property (eg putting up pictures on walls, installing sky {we're not allowed}, etc).

Be prepared for inspections every 3 or 6 months, normally just a 5 minute check that everything is in fair order still.

That's all I can think of for now but feel free to ask if you think of anything else.

Dora x

HH62

Thanks for the good advice, both of you. Very helpful.
Can the landlord just come round whenever he wants to? Or does he have to give me notice?

BobProperty

HH62 wrote:

Thanks for the good advice, both of you. Very helpful.
Can the landlord just come round whenever he wants to? Or does he have to give me notice?

No. You are entitled to "peaceful enjoyment" or some similar wonderful phrase. He should give at least 24 hours notice of wanting access I think, but, as a landlord I'd hope that he is allowed access immediately in the event of a genuine emergency.

HH62

Well yes of course if it was an emergency. I just have visions of having a lie in on a Sunday and the landlord barging in to check the boiler!
Thanks again.