Renting

ijs84

I recently got a new job (woo :beer: ) with a nice pay rise so I can now afford to move out from living with my parents. Of course, on my own I can't buy (and with the current climate who would buy) so I'm looking at renting.

Two simple questions really.

How long does it normally take to arrange a viewing (so if I see one I might like, how soon before I'll be able to view it)?
And once I've viewed a property that I like, how long does it normally take to get everything signed so that I can move in?

Sorry it's not really moey saving questions, but this was the first place I've seen a forum on houses and renting.

bap98189

Viewings can normally be arranged within a day or two, depending on how available you are. If you can only do evenings it may be more difficult to arrange. There may also be some delay if someone is still living there and a time has to be arranged to suit them.

If you decide to go for somewhere, most agencies or landlords will take references or do a credit check, which take anywhere from 3-14 days. It depends how quickly the references respond.

After that, it normally only takes a day or two to draw up the aggreement, hand over the deposit and pickup the keys.

moneysavinmonkey

time until viewing can vary massively.

e.g. if a place is vacant + let by an agency you could probably view it the same day you made an enquiry

e.g. my current house was apparently 'not in a suitable state for viewings' due to the owners pets + general cleanliness so we had to wait a month or so from when it was first advertised until we got to see it.

depends on your flexibility, whether through an agency or a private landlord, if there are current tenants etc. etc. Just phone up the agency/landlord and ask, also gives your the opportunity to discuss the rental market, get a feel of how long properties stay on the market for, what properties are going to be coming on etc. Developing a relationship with a agents is the best way to get first sights on new property to the market, and allowing you to make a reduced rent offer - and that is moneysaving! :T

Andy_Hamilton

One other thing which you may consider is to rent a room as a lodger or share a property. You have to compromise on some things but you generally get a better standard of living, cheaper. I rent a room for £300 per month including everything except food and laundry. To rent my house would probably cost around £700-800 per month alone.
I used www.spareroom.co.uk

You may find it difficult to rent a property being young and not having a rental history.

iamstacie

The one we've just applied for took over 2 weeks to get a viewing for as the letting agents didnt have the keys. The other one we saw I spoke to lettings agents around midday and saw the property at 5pm. Varies really

3plus1

ijs84 wrote: »

How long does it normally take to arrange a viewing (so if I see one I might like, how soon before I'll be able to view it)?

Depends on your area too. Where I am, it took me a few days to sort out viewings with private landlords - I didn't get to see a single flat through any of the agencies here. Every time I made an appointment with one of them, the flat got signed before I even made it to the viewing.

Star2018

Hey, im in a similar position to yourself. Working full time now so looking at renting a place of my own rather than renting a room which i am currently doing. I tend to go down to my estate agents and ask for all properties in my price range then i look over the details and pick 3 or so to look at, and usually they put me in the diary there and then for the weekend or a few days a way. Although quite a few times they have taken me straight away to view. Also have a look on www.rightmove.co.uk im finding loads on there and the details and photos are pretty detaied too! Let me know how you get on, but beware if you see one you like don't waste too much time cus they go very fast. I viewed one on Sunday and by the time i went to sort out my references on the tuesday it had gone so im now waiting til next month when il have a bigger budget as i get a full time wage then

ncooper1974

I'm not sure what your budget is, but you should *always* try to negogiate a cheaper price after you have viewed a property. You might find 1 or 2 landlords refuse to budge, but in the current climiate (especially if its a new build development) there will be plenty on offer and so someone might be looking to let it out quickly at a reduced rate

Star2018

i am looking at 2 apartments at the mo, one is £475 and the other £550. If i was to put a reduced offer in for either what would you reccomend and how do i go about it?

ncooper1974

purely by looking at the numbers, then i would offer £440 on the £475 (and be happy to pay £450) and £500 on the £550 (and be happy to pay £520-£525).
put the offer into your agent after you have viewed the properties, or if you have aleady viewed and have told the agent you were thinking about it, phone them up and say you would like to make an offer.

I'm a landlord, and for the sake of £25-£30 a month its not worth to refuse the business in the current climate as its only approx £300 a year I would be loosing, compared to 2 weeks void in the example above!

roguebrogue

I know with alot of letting agents round here they want you to move in withint 2/3 weeks of paying the agent fee/holding fee/whatever they want to call it.

Also try www.gumtree.com for private lettings aswell....