moving to rented- help please!

sarahlouise1979

We have sold our house and plan to move into rented for a year before buying again. Having never rented before, we need some timescale advice!
We signed the contract today, so exchange should be fairly imminent, when it happens we obviously need to agree a completion date. How long do you think we need?? I know its like asking how long is a piece of string, but we don't want to be homeless, but at the same time, don't want to be paying for a rental property that we're not living in? How long does it normally take to get a rental sorted? What is the normal notice period for current tenants? We haven't really started looking yet, as I know that the rental market changes fairly quickly.

cpnmlw

Hi, we have just moved from mortgaged property to rented, we agreed on a completion date but the buyer was stalling prior to this. We found a property (felt rushed) and went for it, the turn around was less than a few weeks and we stated that our completion date is so and so and the agency dealing with the property on behalf of the landlord sped up our referencing stage to tie in with our completion date.

However on the day we needed to be out by 2.00pm but couldn't pick the keys up till 10am so we had to hurry, but that was our own doing.

Usually a property listed should have a "date available" and you can work your completion date to suit that. Once you have exchanged and agreed on a completion date suitable for you then you shouldn't have any problems providing the buyer doesn't back out or delay.

cpnmlw

Also don't do what we did and rush into a house "because its available now"....... find one your really want and work your completion date to suit.

clarky_cat

When i was renting I never had any problem finding anywhere but I guess it depends if you're in an area with a lot of rentals. I was in a city and found somewhere and moved in within a few weeks. The market does change very quick though.

If the property is already empty you can pretty much move in as soon as the contract is signed, you've had a credit check and paid your deposit. Those 3 things can be sorted in a few days. You'll probably be asked to sign a 6 or 12 month contract.

G_M

Tell your solicitor ( are you using one? If not, tell your buyer's solicitor - if he has one....) you want to Complete 4 (5?) weeks after Exchange.

Start looking around at the letting market to get an idea what's out there but don't strt applying till you Exchange.

cloo

Most rental properties are only advertised a few weeks in advance of availability or once empty (I was surprised to find this the one time I rented!) so I think the suggestion to delay completion is a good one. I certainly wouldn't even start looking for a rental property until there was a completion date in the very least.