Advice for someone renting for the first time

prudryden

I certainly can appreciate what you are saying.

Because the LA has actually advised the LL on what rents to expect for a particular type flat and area, the LL will assume the LA knows the market. I doubt very much whether a LA would even tell the LL about your offer for fear the LL would think he is being stupid.

In my case, all potential tenants are vetted by the LA first. Then I meet with them over a cup of coffee. I will actually accept a lower rent, but not much lower as indicated above, if I like one tenant over another.

Even if the LA would tell me about the £600 offer, I would simply say to the LA to get serious, as I would also immediately think that you are taking the p--s.

If you offered £650 to begin with, you might get some response. A LL might even give it to you at that price.

franklee

Here's my tuppence worth:

o Rent negotiations. You need to know your local market so start watching rightmove and the agent's websites. Note how long properties are advertised for. If a property has been empty for a while then there is more room for negotiation.

o Your moving date. The sooner you can move in the more room for rent negotiation.

o The landlord. Ask questions. How long will the property be available to rent? Is he planning on selling? Does he have other properties? Will he be managing the property or will it be the agent? Once in make sure you get the landlords full name and address, see EL's thread for why!

o The agent. Ask what are *all* their charges? Referencing, contract fees, inventory, check in, check out, renewals. What do they do after the fixed term, a renewal, periodic tenancy, can you choose?

o Make sure you can recognise a S21 "Section 21 Notice Requiring Possession" from at least a mile away. Make sure you know what it means. Ask the agent/landlord if they routinely issue them at the start of the tenancy for all tenants. If so think at least ten times before using that agent/landlord and then don't use them.

As far as the fees go I've only ever paid fifty pounds per head to get in and thirty pounds for the whole property to leave, have always got my full deposit back and do not deal with agents who issue S21 notices at the start or who have contracts with unfair terms. As for the agent, I have found that it is the smaller local agents, say with about three local branches who are best.