First time renter, anything you wish you'd known?

frankie0408

Hiya!

So I'm moving out for the first time ever! Moving in with my boyfriend, I've never lived anywhere but my family home (and we've always lived in the same house!!) luckily he's already moved out before (thought just for uni).
Anything you wish you had known before? or any top tips!

I am the manager of a charity shop so pretty much everything we will be getting will be second hand 1. because obv cheap and being the manager of a charity shop don't pay well! 2. cos im a big re-use not new person but the flat does come furnished (we will be getting the itinerary some time this week),

Thanks! Look forward to hearing your advice

cptrelentless

Unless you are renting in London rental markets move very slowly, so take your time and look at places. Better to have a cheaper rent and save money for later. Also don't spank all your coin on frills and knick-knacks - your aim is to get a deposit and buy a house. Unless you want to buy a van.

Also, they have 30 days to register your deposit with a deposit protection scheme. Keep an eye like a hawk on the scheme and if they are ten minutes late then get on the case. Make that stink right up first rather than when you have to move out. Landlords are thieving scum.

lookstraightahead

cptrelentless wrote: »

Unless you are renting in London rental markets move very slowly, so take your time and look at places. Better to have a cheaper rent and save money for later. Also don't spank all your coin on frills and knick-knacks - your aim is to get a deposit and buy a house. Unless you want to buy a van.

Also, they have 30 days to register your deposit with a deposit protection scheme. Keep an eye like a hawk on the scheme and if they are ten minutes late then get on the case. Make that stink right up first rather than when you have to move out. Landlords are thieving scum.

Not all landlords are thieving scum - this isn't helpful advice. And where does the op say they are saving for a deposit or have to live in a van?

Op - be aware of your rights and make sure you pay very close attention to the inventory. Take lots of photos and make a note of any issues. If things break down, report then promptly so that the landlord has time to fix etc. Read GMs stickies. Remember you can't be charged for wear and tear / new for old.

Enjoy your new home - there are lots of advantages to renting, especially when you start out. Enjoy your freedom and independence.

Murphybear

Make sure you check the inventory very carefully and don’t be afraid to annotate it. Make a note of every mark etc and change everything you disagree with and take photos.

This is not obsessive, it is to your advantage, when you check out and if the LL tries to claim for things from your deposit you will have evidence to counter the claim if you disagree with it.

Ps sorry, hadn’t read previous post

DigForVictory

And a third vote for going over the inventory with a fine toothed comb and a camera.

Many landlords are OK, but having things clearly documented (always email rather than a handwritten note?!) saves a Lot of fuss later & is easier on both you as tenants & them as landlords.

bouicca21

I wish I’d read GM’s stickies.

PasturesNew

Best advice I can give is: Always look at how you'd get out before you move in!

Whatever it cost you to get into the flat, start saving that amount again in an account you don't touch because you never know when you'll suddenly be on the move again and find you need £2-3k to achieve that and don't have a bean.

So, on top of your rent etc, save £200-300/month for the first year to get your safety net for your next move under your belt.

Also: if you fall out, make sure you know which of you is moving out and which is staying there - and how responsibility to pay the rent will be divvied up if only one of you's living there.

Sounds adult/boring, but it's practical.

hazyjo

Haven't ever rented, but would want a 6 month break clause - especially in your shoes in my first flat with a BF I'd never lived with before.


Enjoy

sal_III

I wish I knew how to handle the move out process better. £10 of supplies and couple of hours of your time spend on fixing small issues can save you £100+ claimed by the LL for repairs.

Also (I might get booed for this by LLs here) I learned to ignore the "Absolutely no hanging of items and holes on the walls" type of clauses. As long as you fix the holes/marks before you leave, don't be afraid of putting that decoration on the wall of your home. A pack of Polyfilla and 1min youtube instruction video works wonders.

If you don't have a major preference about wall colour - pick a property with white walls - much easier to make good on scuff marks on walls etc.

Don't fall for the "the property must be professionally cleaned" on checkout clause. As long as the property is in the same or better state of cleanliness as on check-in you are good. The LA is likely to push for their preferred/guaranteed cleaner to be used - fob them off.

Seems like you already found a furnished property, so this is not really applicable. But I always preferred unfurnished properties in my renting days. They generally cost less and for the rent difference for a year you can pretty much furnish it to your liking. Rather than living with random cheapo crap the LLs tend to dump in their properties. As an added bonus this avoids tedious disputes with the LL like why the 20 years old sofa has a new stain and how you are expected to pay for a new sofa at the end of the tenancy.

[Deleted User]

With regards to cleaning take photos of everything when you move in and when you move out, so you can show it was left as you found it. Same with any damaged items or issues you notice when you move in. Report them to the LL even if you don't need them fixed. Do it by email so there is evidence.

Only other thing that comes to mind is don't use their "helpful" brokers for setting up utilities etc. They just rip you off.