From owning to renting - how does it work?

rentergirl

Gumtree is full of oddballs so be careful, but put up an ad asking for temporary place, and find a storage centre.

pinkteapot

The agent was absolutely right to advise you not to sign a rental agreement until you have exchanged contracts. Up to exchange, your buyer can pull out with no warning and for no reason. If you have signed a contract, you will have to pay the 6 or 12 months rent.

Other posters are right that the best way is to have a good gap between exchange and completion. Start looking at ads for rentals and get an idea of what you want.

As soon as you know your exchange date, book viewings that start a week or so beforehand. Renting isn't like buying - view with a completely practical head. It doesn't matter if you don't love the place completely as you can always leave after the initial tenancy period. You're viewing thinking "is this practical for the next year?"

As soon as you find a place you want, tell the agent you want it and sort out the paperwork. It can all be done really fast - you can go from a viewing to moving in within a week in some cases.

Rental agents won't really be interested in you until you have a confirmed exchange date on your sale as other prospective tenants will be ready to move.

Please don't let it stress you out. It really is far easier than selling and buying simultaneously. You could even start your tenancy a few days before your sale completes so you can move out during the overlap and not be in a rush on completion day.

Iwani

Thanks so much for the advice everyone, I think I understand better now (I really was clueless I guess) how it will work and will slow down and try to stop stressing!