Moving into rented for the first time - help?

emeraldbugle

Hi,

We have sold our house and haven't found anywhere for us yet, so we have made the decision to move into rented for a while.

Is there anything we should be aware of, or wary of?

Thanks

Guy_Montag

Yes!






Oh well, I suppose you want to know what.

When viewing, check the lights, flush the toilet, check the cupboards for damp.

Find out who is responsible for arranging repairs, the LL or the LA?

I went to see a place yesterday & the LL said she wouldn't bother repairing or replacing the washing machine if it broke :eek:- so ask if the white goods will be repaired if they break.

View a few places before deciding so you can see what's available in your area.

carpetbelly

When you move in take photos of the place! Any damage you see, make sure it's marked on an inventory and photo's are taken preferably with some sort of agreement signed from either the LL or LA that those were taken on the right date of move in.

Ask what deposit scheme will yours be held in.

If you have a garden and are responsible for cutting the grass, have you been supplied a mower for this? I got stung by that one before with a garden that was a pain to access and having always lived in flats previously and having no gardening equipment. Also, the thought of mowing in winter didn't appeal either

threesacrowd

i rented for three and a half years and am having terrible trouble trying to get my deposit back, my thread is on here somewhere.
please whatever you do take photos of everything and i mean everything when you move in.
make sure there is an inventory and check that every little mark and scratch is noted on there, i know this sounds petty but it will save you a lot of money on leaving the property.
if you are renting from a letting agent check your tenancy agreement carefully and see if the landlords address is also on there (mine wasnt and im having awful trouble trying to find her)
keep every bit of paperwork you recieve over anything to do with the house ie repairs ect.
dont let these agents rip you off.
hope this helps

Lavendyr

When viewing, check:
- Lights, cupboards, shower/bath works etc
- What type of heating
- What phone connections are in (BT/NTL/whatever)
- Is there a water meter
- What are the landlord's plans - long/short term let
- What is included with the property (e.g. white goods, wardrobes, any other furnishings like curtains)
- Condition of the garden and how/whetheryou are expected to maintain it
- See if there is any leeway on rent - especially if a property has been on for a while, they might be prepared to negotiate the rental price down a bit
- If there is a garage, check if it is definitely included in the rental as sometimes may not be

When considering to take the rental on:
- Is there a letting agency?
- If so, how much do they want for credit checks?
- What type of contract will you be on?
- How much deposit do they want?
- Which scheme will your deposit be protected in?
- How do the letting agency deal with you in general - are they quick to help or reluctant?
- Is an inventory taken at check-in and check-out? If so is it by an independent company or by the letting agency? (Independent is better)
- Check they do all legally required gas and electricity/wiring safety checks
- Is the landlord/letting agency in the practice of serving a Section 21 (notice to quit) notice early in the tenancy? If so avoid, avoid, avoid.
- Make sure you have contact details and can reach people in more than one way (ie phone, email and postal address) if you need to.

When moving in:
- Take meter readings (though inventory clerk should do it for you as well)
- Check you have all keys
- Take photos of everything you can and make sure you have a record of the date photos were taken (e.g the day's newspaper in the picture)
- Report anything that is broken/not working to the agency/landlord as soon as possible

Have a read of the Shelter website for more information, it is absolutely invaluable.

threesacrowd

just wanted to add, remember to take accurate meter readings when leaving and keep these for at least three months.
also ask the agency if they have any references from tenants past and present. i wish i had done this, but not having rented before i was made to feel that the agency were doing me a favour in offering me a property not the other way round.

franklee

Guy_Montag wrote: »

When viewing, check the lights, flush the toilet, check the cupboards for damp.

If the property is unoccupied then this is good advice.

If the property is still occupied by the previous tenant then you have no rights to do these. Touch one single cupboard in my home that contains my stuff and I'll chuck you out! Of course there's no harm in asking to be shown anything you are interested in but the tenant can refuse if they wish. They can even refuse the whole viewing if they wish so you had better be respectful of the fact that you are a guest in their home.