A Tenant's guide to renting

JoeA81

I've added all those suggestions. Thanks

I might do a bit of light editing later on, to try and make the information as succinct and easy to read as possible. Its growing longer by the day!

EDIT:

clutton wrote: »

will they accept a local authority bond if necessary

I've just realised I dont know what a "local authority bond" is? What is it and does it relate to all types of tenant? Cheers.

MissMoneypenny

Bump

Does anyone know Martin's email address? The mods on this board seem reluctant to put this very useful guide for renters, as a sticky and neither mod has replied to my pms.

scrummy_mummy_2

As of October 2008, every landlord will be required to provide an energy efficiency certificate for each property they rent out (EPC) for any NEW tenancies they grant. The EPC should be made available to the prospective tenant BEFORE any agreement is signed...it should be available for any prospective tenant to view before deciding to move in so that they can compare like properties. It will address things like how much it costs to heat the house, amount of loft insulation, double glazing, boiler age and efficiency etc. I will give the house rating like you get on fridges etc A, B, C etc. It will be valid for 10 years.

You might want to include that...also, any decent landlord worth their salt (What's that I hear, is it my own trumpet??) would already have a complete file in the house of information that covers things like you have described including bin collection days, allocation of parking spaces, who owns which fences, supplier list etc to answer all those tenant questions....mine is 32 double A4 sides!!...needless to say, except being asked once how to light an electric oven with a match(??!!!) I rarely get asked any questions!

Excellent post so far though.

MissMoneypenny

Bump bump bump

MissMoneypenny

Bump bump bump

MissMoneypenny

Check carefully for any small red warning stickers, stuck on gas appliances. Ask to see the gas safety certificate (and read it) if you view a property and may be interested in it. Don't sign without reading everything carefully, including all correspondence and the contract. That just came from a recent thread.

You can ask to see all the documents, including the contract and LAs contract, at any time before signing. DON'T SIGN BEFORE YOU READ EVERYTHING.

If you are unsure what they mean, then ask for copies and get legal advice or take it to your local CAB (Citizen Advice Bureau).

zebulon

Something that could be added:

don't try to get 100% of the items of this list ticked - or you will be homeless



I think it's all great advice - but just in case someone, new to renting, tries to get/ask everything on the list, I'm afraid it will be tough!

Keep up the good work guys! :beer:

olly300

zebulon wrote: »

Something that could be added:

don't try to get 100% of the items of this list ticked - or you will be homeless


I think it's all great advice - but just in case someone, new to renting, tries to get/ask everything on the list, I'm afraid it will be tough!

One thing you reminded me is if possible take someone else, however young they are as long as they can speak in sentences, with you when viewing a property. Other people are very good for seeing the flaws in a property, and children particular if you tell them they can look under/behind/around items are very good at finding trouble spots such as patches of damp.

bobby-boy_2

Good advice from missmoneypenny

MissMoneypenny

Thanks for all your work Joe.