Looking to rent - can someone help?

laurajayne

Hi all (oooh, it's my first time over here -scary stuff!)

Basically I'm looking to rent a small one bed flat in the Manchester area, from April time approximately. I'll be doing this on my own, so it's down to me to sort out a deposit etc.

Now, I can find loooooads of stuff on buying, but not on renting, so I was wondering if someone could give me some help on pricing it up...I know I'll need a deposit of approx 4-8 weeks rent in advance, but does anyone know what other costs I should factor in - or an idea of how much I should have as a deposit before looking to move?

Any other helpful hints also welcomed

Thanks in Advance x

moneysavinmonkey

Hi.

You up front costs will depend on whether you are renting privately or through an agency. If your renting privately you'll just need a deposit usual about 4-6 weeks worth of rent. If you are renting through an agency they will usually charge you all manner of extra fees including an application fee or credit check fee around £150.00 and inventory fee around £70.00. I would recommend if you go to view properties from agents you check what the costs are with them first!

If you're moving to a flat for the first time you probably won't have much stuff so don't need to worry about moving costs.

If you get a furnished property you shouldn't need to buy any furniture, plates, cutlery etc. Make sure when you view properties though that you check with the agent exactly which furniture is included and which isn't... a lesson i've just learn't! You will need your own towels and bedding if you don't have these already.

Once you move in you'll need to factor in for electricity, gas, water rates, council tax, phone/broadband. You can get an idea of what utlities will be from uswitch and can usually look up council tax on county council website.

moneysavinmonkey

Just wanted to add that of course as well as deposit you will need to pay the first months rent up front.

The other thing to add is although water rates and council tax are able to be spread by dd monthly sometimes they have weird billing periods so you end up paying more in the first few months... tv licence is like this as well - oh forgot tv licence. e.g. we have just moved into a new property and have to pay the water rates up to march in 3 instalments by the end of December and then after that we just pay a fixed amount each month.