Renting Tips - new guide feedback

G_M

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Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)

G_M

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Rent increases (how and when can rent be changed)

G_M

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Repossession (What happens if a landlord's mortgage lender repossesses the property you are renting?)

G_M

Comstock wrote: »

Some of the 50 tips skirt round this, but none have answered it. Do you need landlords permission to erect TV aerials/satellite dishes? My current landlord is a perfect peach, but I can't houseshare forever.

If it involves screwing an aeriel etc to the structure of the building, then most certainly, yes, you need the LL's permission, and you should get it in writing to avoid misunderstandings later.

Most LL's would have no issue with this.

The ones that DO have an issue (and are perhaps reluctant to agree) are of course exactly the LL's it is most important to have written agreement from!

Comstock

G_M wrote: »

I
The ones that DO have an issue (and are perhaps reluctant to agree) are of course exactly the LL's it is most important to have written agreement from!

Indeed, or even avoid renting from in the first place. I could actually use this as a litmus test, couldn't I?

As in, if they are being a bit arsey about a TV aerial or dish, what else would they be arsey about?

buckwem

If you are a student often the contract is signed 6 months before you move in. The flat could be subsequently damaged (read totally trashed) by the current students and not in the state you viewed when you want to start your rental.

In the case of one rental the landlord wanted the direct debits setup to pay the rent one week before the rental period started. The agreement was generic and had no commitment to furnish or any draft inventory.

If you pay the rent you are legally accepting the state of the flat at the time you pay the rent.

First, get at least a draft inventory at the time of contract signing that would entitle you to easily terminate the contract if the items are not included.

If the property is advertised on the the Internet - create a PDF copy of the web pages and photos so that you have a record of what they advertised. The listing will be taken from the internet once the agreement has been signed and you no longer have a record of the condition of the property.

Do not pay any rent before viewing the flat and agreeing the inventory.

Unless repairs are formally written into the contract the landlord is not committed to complete the repairs. So get any agreement in writing with clear timescales and penalties e.g. reduced rent until the work is complete.

buckwem

Rental agencies may suggest using bill management companies such as Glide. This may make things easy when you want to split the bills and means the risk if someone else in the flat is not paying bills it is now not your problem. You only have one service provider to deal with. This all comes with a cost.

In one case the cost for broadband worked out at £34 per month that could be obtained elsewhere from £20 per month. The same cost could have purchased fibre broadband with twice the download speed and 10 times upload.

Some postings on forums seem to indicate an overall cost of £3-4 per person per week to manage the service. For a flat of 6 people this could be £1000-1250 per year.

Make sure you use the MSE links to assess the cost of individual bills and compare against the quote from the bills management company. Then assess whether the additional management cost is worth the benefits you will receive.

GloriaAndrewCar

I will definitely have a read of this!

dvandenburg

Hello

for #40 pertaining to removal services I recommend also using anyvan.com as a different way of managing your removals. You enter the details and registered removers bid for your trade. In the end you can choose whoever you want from the bids, most have insurance and the site also includes a feedback and rating service similar to ebay's.

Have used this for my last few "man with van" needs and have been very happy with the site and my chosen services!

loveandlight

posted by Smith 007
I think you will find it is no business of a landlord who a tenant chooses to stay in their HOME. Including the tenants sexual partners.

A friend or partner a tenant invites to stay, even for an extended time, is nothing to do with sub-letting (or lodging, providing the tenant does not accept rent payments from them).

If you clearly do not understand rental law and wish to have a say in your tenants private life, then can I suggest being a landlord is not for you?

It is truly bizarre how some landlords think they own their tenants.

I think you will find you are in the wrong here Smith 007. It states in most tenancy contracts who has permission to live there. One of the reasons is to stop the property from being multilet/sublet without the landlord knowing. If you want the landlord to abide by the rules then its only fair the tenant does as well. Another reason why a landlord has to know who is living in their property is for insurance reasons and mortgage companies are strict as well.