Renting Property - Advice

keithmdw

We were up until recently in the middle of purchasing a property, but that has subsequently fell through for various reasons I won't go into here.

We have now decided to rent until we find somewhere else appropriate to buy.

We found a property advertised with a major estate agents, viewed it, liked it,and filled in the appropriate paperwork. They called me today to let me know our application was approved and the date we could move in (over a month away yet as expected).

What I forgot to ask (in my excitement and inexperience LOL), and I don't want to look a fool calling back to ask if it's something really straightforward, is what happens now.

I know that the agent is not managing the property for the landlord, and what they did say was that on the 'take-over' day we needed to go to the agents and pay the bond, 1st months rent and a fee and get the keys.

What happens with agreements, inventories, inspections prior to taking over etc. With the agent not managing the property, is it up to us and the landlord to contact each other (when the agent gives us each other's details) and arrange for these to be done?

Also, slightly unrelated, with connection (or rather take over) of utility services (gas, electric, water). Can we arrange with the relevant companies for these to simple be activated in our names on the day in advance or do we have to be in there before they'll do it?

Sorry if this is basic stuff, but we have never rented before.

jezza1O1

Inventory - In my last 3 flats, 2 things happnened. Where the agents managed they went round with digital camera and notebook etc and then supplied copies to us and landlord to review and approve. Our current place is managed by the landlord, here the agent arranged and independent inventory comapany to do the business. Easylet or something. They were a bit crap cos many of the things, like appalling state of the house, we raised and they didnt include and when we challenged they just said we should have raised it at the time - which we did. Oh well, we were always going to clean it up and we'd be to ashamed to leave it in the state we got it tbh so no real harm done...

Utilities - we phoned up prior to moving in (but after signing our contract) to notify our intentions. On the day we moved in we confirmed the meter readings, these should be noted in the inventory. I took pics of the meter reading but thats prob just for my own peace of mind - ie to give me confidence in a dispute. Dont worry too much about timing of getting in touch the important thing is you agree the meter reading with the landlord and then supply these - you just say I moved in on day X and the reading is YYYY. As long as the landlord doesnt dispute there's no prob, in my experience this is actually suprisingly smooth. Relative to the council tax bill anyway...


In all cases the keys came via our agent. If I were you Id ask the agent about that point - they are usually pretty helpful, and if they arent - dont use 'em again!!

GL in the new place