New To Renting

tbs624

Funkygibbon wrote: »

How do you find private landlords? Or do they also advertise on rightmove?

Your local council may run an accreditation scheme for private sector LLs and be able to give you contact info.

Google your town name and LL association or look in the yellow pages for a local LL association contact.

Put your own "wanted " ad up in shops etc

Vivastreet, letalife etc online

theartfullodger

What is the normal deposit that you have to pay? 2 months rent is normal. Sometimes less, occasionally a bit more.

1 months rent in advance AND 1-2 months deposit is normal (& legal). More than 2 months deposit is illegal. LLs often go for 1.5 months deposit.

G_M

tbs624 wrote: »

A deposit of more than 2 months' rent equivalent is likely to be viewed as a Premium and may allow the T the right to assign.

Thanks tbs - re-reading this I have no idea why I said 2 months was normal. I'm sure I would have meant 1 month!

1 month is normal. Can be more or less.

Local paper for landlords advertising their properties.

tbs624

Funkygibbon wrote: »

What do they actually mean by furnished or unfurnished?

No standard definition, so it can be what ever the LL offers and the T accepts

Funkygibbon wrote: »

Are you able to haggle on the rent per month?

Always worth a try, so long as the LL saying "no" won't offend you. Some LLs do add a margin when advertising to allow for this, as potential T then feel s/he has got a bargain and is (edit) mightily pleased

Funkygibbon wrote: »

What is the normal deposit that you have to pay?

as the others have said the min is usually equivalent to one month's rent, but may be up to two.

Funkygibbon wrote: »

Can you rent if you've got defaults against you?

Be upfront with the LL/LA from the start. Some will take you on with extra security, such as a guarantor in place, as someone else has already said.

Also have a look at the "sticky" for new renters up at the top of this board.

theartfullodger

Re more than 2 months rent being illegal - Housing Act 1988 S15.. see
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/section/15

15 Limited prohibition on assignment etc. without consent. E+W

(1)Subject to subsection (3) below, it shall be an implied term of every assured tenancy which is a periodic tenancy that, except with the consent of the landlord, the tenant shall not—
(a)assign the tenancy (in whole or in part); or
(b)sub-let or part with possession of the whole or any part of the dwelling-house let on the tenancy.
(2)Section 19 of the M1Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 (consents to assign not to be unreasonably withheld etc.) shall not apply to a term which is implied into an assured tenancy by subsection (1) above.
(3)In the case of a periodic tenancy which is not a statutory periodic tenancy [F1or an assured periodic tenancy arising under Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989] subsection (1) above does not apply if—
(a)there is a provision (whether contained in the tenancy or not) under which the tenant is prohibited (whether absolutely or conditionally) from assigning or sub-letting or parting with possession or is permitted (whether absolutely or conditionally) to assign, sub-let or part with possession; or
(b)a premium is required to be paid on the grant or renewal of the tenancy.
(4)In subsection (3)(b) above “premium” includes—
(a)any fine or other like sum;
(b)any other pecuniary consideration in addition to rent; and
(c)any sum paid by way of deposit, other than one which does not exceed one-sixth of the annual rent payable under the tenancy immediately after the grant or renewal in question.

re. furnished or unfurnished, no definition ... yes... but...

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/pimmanual/pim3200.htm

.

A furnished property is one that is capable of normal occupation without the tenant having to provide their own beds, chairs, tables, sofas and other furnishings, cooker etc. The provision of nominal furnishings will not meet this requirement. If the accommodation isn’t furnished, or only partly furnished, the 10% wear and tear allowance isn’t due.

So LL can advertise place as "furnished" with, say, a cooker, fridge, TV & Sky box... but would be unable to claim 10% tax-free allowance. You could try threatening him with grassing to HMRC - then expect S21 next day...


Cheers!

Artful