Renting process

Cola133

Could anyone please explain the rental process to me. We're in a rental now and have been for 9 years, but I can't remember how it works!  

We've found a rental property, put down a weeks rent deposit and just today learnt we have passed referencing subject to a previous letting agent reference being obtained (but that will come back fine). What's the next step please? We have agreed a move in date of 17th March. Do we pay the deposit now and sign contracts, or will that be on the move in date along with a months rent in advance? 

I'm unsure when to tell my current LL that we will be leaving, I don't want to give notice until we have the new place locked down. 

Also, my current rent is paid on the 14th of each month, as it's now 20th will I be liable for the rent until 14th of April, or can I just give 1 calendar months notice and leave on the 19th March for example?

 Thanks for any help.

sourpuss2021

Regarding your final question, what does it say in your agreement?  

If your landlord has been smart he will have insisted that the notice period requires a full named month (January, February, March, etc), rather than allowing a mid-month to mid-month period.

”Calendar month” should be avoided in a contract because, confusingly, it can refer to either of those very different meanings.

MikeJXE

I have moved 3 times in the last 4 years and rent has always been a month 

Whatever my date started at thats the date it ended at so 14th April is your soonest 

The problem is when your new rent starts, the LL may want it much earlier causing an overlap which has happened to me every time

The upside of that is it gives you more time to move 

The LL will want your 1st month and the 1 month deposit cleared before the rent begins 

saajan_12

Cola133 said:

Could anyone please explain the rental process to me. We're in a rental now and have been for 9 years, but I can't remember how it works!  

We've found a rental property, put down a weeks rent deposit and just today learnt we have passed referencing subject to a previous letting agent reference being obtained (but that will come back fine). - great. Is your current LL / LA happy to give the reference? 
What's the next step please? We have agreed a move in date of 17th March. Do we pay the deposit now and sign contracts, or will that be on the move in date along with a months rent in advance? - it can be whenever you and the new LL / LA agree, but if you want to have the new place locked in sooner, then I'd push for signing asap. They'll usually want the security deposit and possibly 1st month rent at the same time. Note the 1 week deposit should go towards one of these payments. 

I'm unsure when to tell my current LL that we will be leaving, I don't want to give notice until we have the new place locked down. - You have it locked down when you have a signed contract, so I'd only give formal notice or agree on a termination then 

Also, my current rent is paid on the 14th of each month, as it's now 20th will I be liable for the rent until 14th of April, or can I just give 1 calendar months notice and leave on the 19th March for example? - depends on what it says in your last contract.. could be a SPT with notice being a full tenancy month, or a CPT with x calendar month, or anything else. Once you know your rights, you can try to negotiate a mutually convenient move out date with the old LL - make sure to specify what rent needs to be paid, and if you can't agree then fall back on the formal notice. 

 Thanks for any help.

Comments in line. 

macman

So you have put down a deposit on a new rental, without actually knowing what notice you need to give on your current rental?
Presumably you are in a periodic tenancy and not a contractual one?

propertyrental

For info on the notice required, read

Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Often a LL will be unwilling to sign a new tenancy agreement until his current tenants (if any) have actually left. Which might be just the day before your are due to move in.

This is to avoid the risk (to the LL) of having a legal contract to start a new tenancy with you, and then finding the existing tenants don't leave,meaning he's in breach of his contract with you.

You can but ask.