Where to look for rental properties?

southernscouser

Where else do I start looking other than rightmove? :undecided

Obviously letting agents in the area (although how do I find them? :rotfl: ), but where else?

SquatNow

Rentals sections in back of Local papers.

poorandindenial

As well as rightmove there is primelocation, findahome, findaproperty

If you want to go direct with landlord and cut out the agents (and fees that go with them) then look in loot, gumtree, propertiesdirect (I think that is it - google 'properties direct from landlord' and a few sites come up but there isn't always a lot on them

And of course you can wander in on the high street, most estate agents also do lettings - and check the agents in your area in the yellow pages.

Try and ask around at work etc to see if anyone has experience of agents, some are better than others (and some are really awful and have terrible reps for a good reason) just make sure the experiences are recent and tally with a few people, otherwise give them a go and see what you think of their service.

SquatNow

If you go through a lettings agent, expect to get fleeced BIG TIME.

They are all crooks.

southernscouser

SquatNow wrote: »

If you go through a lettings agent, expect to get fleeced BIG TIME.

They are all crooks.

:rotfl:

All of them?

Can you elaborate? :think:

poorandindenial

Oh, one more thing SS...

you should have a think about what sort of contract you want to have. You may be offered a choice or you may only be offered one type, either way you need to know what is out there to work out whether you want what they are offering.

Typically there are three standard agreements (excluding month by month agreements and really long term ones which I haven't come across often)

1) 6 month
2) 1 year with a break clause (basically after 6 months you have to give (usually) 1 months notice to leave)
3) 12 month

My personal preference is for 2) as it gives you a minimum tennancy of 7 months which isn't too long but also keeps you fairly safe for 12 months. 6 months only and you may find (with agencies) that you get stung for a further admin charge to extend it, 12 months and you may find that if you want to leave early you are liable to find a replacement tenant or the remainder of the rent for the duration of the tenancy.

southernscouser

You can't beat a number 2.

prudryden

poorandindenial wrote: »

Oh, one more thing SS...

you should have a think about what sort of contract you want to have. You may be offered a choice or you may only be offered one type, either way you need to know what is out there to work out whether you want what they are offering.

Typically there are three standard agreements (excluding month by month agreements and really long term ones which I haven't come across often)

1) 6 month
2) 1 year with a break clause (basically after 6 months you have to give (usually) 1 months notice to leave)
3) 12 month

My personal preference is for 2) as it gives you a minimum tennancy of 7 months which isn't too long but also keeps you fairly safe for 12 months. 6 months only and you may find (with agencies) that you get stung for a further admin charge to extend it, 12 months and you may find that if you want to leave early you are liable to find a replacement tenant or the remainder of the rent for the duration of the tenancy.

2) generally works the best for both tenants and landlords. Disagree slightly with the 7 month minimum tennancy - A landlord or tenant can give notice in the 5th month to leave at the end of the 6th month. Or if contract states two months notice required - then can give notice in the 4th month.

tbs624

prudryden wrote: »

2) generally works the best for both tenants and landlords. Disagree slightly with the 7 month minimum tennancy - A landlord or tenant can give notice in the 5th month to leave at the end of the 6th month. Or if contract states two months notice required - then can give notice in the 4th month.

A LL has to give a period of Notice equivalent to a rent period or two months Notice, whichever is the longer, so would not be able to give Notice in month 5 for a tenant to leave in the 6th AFAIAA.

prudryden

tbs624 wrote: »

A LL has to give a period of Notice equivalent to a rent period or two months Notice, whichever is the longer, so would not be able to give Notice in month 5 for a tenant to leave in the 6th AFAIAA.

Correct - Typing too fast. Change that to only tenant can give notice in 5th month unless contract calls for two months notice. Landlord would have to give notice in the 4th month. Sorry about the error guys.

southernscouser

Well I spent the day in town looking. I tried peoples pockets first in case they had any business cards. They didn't. But I made enough for half a months rent! :beer: