Your No.1 renting Tip

thewinkshow

hi

i am single guy about to rent my first place. any of the vets here whats your number 1 tip? (or dont forget to...............)

cheers money savers

Nikel

Make sure your landlord puts your deposit in a Deposit Protection Scheme.

thewinkshow

cheers moneysavers

Salz

When you get the inventory, make time to go round and add every single nail in the wall,all marks and scuffs on walls, carpets etc onto it. Take photos if possible. You must have proof to show it wasn't you when it comes to moving out.

Salz

thewinkshow wrote: »

hi all

also number 1 tip for appearing like a perfect tennant to the landlord? how can i present myself to give myself the best chance of them accepting me? what do they like to see? what should i arrive prepared with for them to impress and what is acceptable discount per month reduction? if i say i will sign a 12 month contract instead of 6 if they will knock 25 quid a month off would this be acceptable or offensive to them?


cheers moneysavers

Make sure you look smart, are clean shaven etc - if you look like you take care of your appearance, LL will be more likely to assume that you will take care of their property.

thewinkshow

cheers for the advice guys all new to me this, exciting but nervous as well.

finance wise, what is a good list of things to have in place? will landlord let you paint the place? or can you not do anything with it at all?

if i see one for 550 per month, will they be offended if i offer 525 a month?
or is it normally set the amount to pay and no room to budge?

thewinkshow

since all this is new to me, i am wary of missing something or forgetting to get something in place, like tennant insurance or soemthing, is there a place i can get a checklist so i know i have ticked all the boxes before i move in?

whats like the top 5 things to get sorted?

Nikel

thewinkshow wrote: »

if i see one for 550 per month, will they be offended if i offer 525 a month?
or is it normally set the amount to pay and no room to budge?

Of course theres room for negotiation to reduce the rent. I've always done this before taking a place, I've even done this after 3 years renting a place. You wont get if you dont ask. The worst they can do you say definately not. Nothing to lose by asking.

thewinkshow

apart from sky tv and surround sound of course!


speaking of which, since i am single are there any tips on cutting down consumption for a single guy? like your number 1 tip

whats the cheapest broadband and phone package? not bothered about tv.

want internet and unlimited calls in evening and weekend - what the best deal for this?

thewinkshow

cheers nikel. i will be doing just that. put my sunday best on, clean shave and smile at mr landlord for bit of a reduction, whilst promising to be the best tennant ever

wonder if they will let me make improvements like painting it or putting up a few canvas pics

Procrastinator333

Salz wrote: »

When you get the inventory, make time to go round and add every single nail in the wall,all marks and scuffs on walls, carpets etc onto it. Take photos if possible. You must have proof to show it wasn't you when it comes to moving out.

Second this. Especially if this is your first place. You will get swept away in the excitement of moving in.

You should be spending a good number of hours with a camera and notebook. Documnet and photo everything no matter how small. You can guarantee that anything you miss will have been your fault at the point of leaving. You will lose a lot of your deposit if not careful.

Check how the inventory describes how clean it is. If it says "professionaly cleaned" ask to see the invoice. Or get it changed to cleaned to a good standard. Especialy kick up a fuss if it says "good standard" and in fact it is dusty and a bit dirty. They ain't going to tidy it for you, but the inventory should reflect it.

Take no rubbish from them on all of this. If not done properly, it will cost you a fortune later - that small rip in the sofa cover. £300 for a replacement by the time you check out.

My tactic for rent negotiations, and gets it out of the way at the start, is call up and say I ahve seen X for £550. I like the look of it, but I can't afford more than £500. Am I wasting everyones time if I go and see it?