Moving to a new area.

outofmoney

Hi all. After some advice and experiences.

We are hoping to move and relocate next year. Due to many factors we only have around 6 weeks to find somewhere and move. Not easy when we don't live in the area.

Our main problem is we will be renting and ideally would need to view the properties. Whilst we can do a short stay and view a few, if checks fail or the LL decides on someone else then we will have to start again and it could take time. If we rent without viewing we would need to find somewhere else for when the contract ends and also pay out more fees so want to get it right first time.

Has anyone done anything similar or have some advice on perhaps an easier way to do this?

We had considered a private let which would be less in fees and we could just rent for 6/12 months whilst we find a better place (unless we are already in a perfect place) but private rents are hard to find.

Mr_Moo_2

Depends on demand for rental properties in the area you're looking at. If you can, go to the area to get a feel for it - stay in a B&B or a short rental and check the place out.

Then contact letting agents (or private if you can find them) for available properties in your preferred locations - get multiple viewings booked in for one day - go and look and if you see the right place be prepared to act fast - have the ability to put a holding deposit down if needed, have your references available etc. Take notes as you go around on the good and bad features as your memory will blur after a while.

We did just that - viewed 8 rental places in one day, ended up renting the first one we saw.

Good luck.

Fire_Fox

Agree turn up with all your references to hand, then the letting agent just has to double check they are genuine. Maybe both check your Experian and Equifax credit reports, make sure there is nothing unusual or erroneous.

outofmoney

Thanks for responses. Some references will be easy to get but not sure we want to ask our current LL in case it doesn't happen.

My credit should be fine but OHs is not great. He has arrangements with many companies and whilst he pays them all regularly and on time this will still show as bad on credit. Some LLs are understanding, others not.

Fire_Fox

Your partner may well fail the credit check, it's not a matter of understanding. Your landlords reference is probably the most important, if it's a new area presumably you will be changing jobs anyway? Can the rent all be on your wages or can you get a guarantor? You may find you have to be a lot less picky about what you accept in these circumstances and accept you may want to move again in six months.

Wyndham

Go and stay for a few days. I did this and went down on the Friday, saw 3 properties that afternoon, saw another 2 on the Saturday, then a final 2 on the Monday, one of which I took. Sunday was a day off in a new area, which was lovely as it gave us chance to get to know it.

One thing I would say is ask around people you currently know to see if anyone knows the area - I was amazed how many people had at least a connection when I asked the question. It meant that I knew areas to avoid based on their local knowledge (though I might have worked it out from the rents in those areas, with hindsight!)

Rental properties vary so much. I'd set a budget, and the first one we saw in the range was just awful, so started to wonder if it was set too low. The one I ended up in was the high end of the range, but a world away in terms of the property. Be aware that some people think there property is worth much more than it actually is!

Good luck. Keep us posted....

Miss_Havisham

could you tell us where it is ? There are probably people on here with local knowledge who could help.

Good luck when you eventually move !

outofmoney

Thanks for your input. Hoping to move to the Isle of Wight. We have four children, two who are disabled so both hubby and I are carers. This means work comes with us, which in some ways helps as benefit will continue but also means many LL don't want to know us.

We have bank statements which can show rent is always paid on time, and my Mum owns her own property plus works and has two pensions so would be able to be our guarantor.

We went for a few weeks in the Summer, which is what made us want to move. Loads of reasons but mainly for health ones. We are going back in December as we had the most glorious weather whilst there and feel we should see it when it is not so nice as this can make a difference. If we still want to go for it we will have to make the move during the Summer next year as daughter is doing GCSEs and then off to college.