A Tenant's guide to renting

thenortherners

we are currently renting a property which a month after we moved in was put up for sale. After several attempts at getting my certificate for the TENANCY DEPOSIT SCHEME it still hadnt arrived and now they want me to do viewing for them. Is the TDS SCHEME law to everyone??? i have handed my notice in on the property and they have sent me a copy of my contract which only my husbands signature is on and not the landlords. they have since getting my notice put the property back up for let as well as for sale but dmenad we give more than a months notice and pay till end of 6 month contract which is december. I feel nothing has been done properly with this rentall. please help me

please can anyone advise

misscoupon

KHH wrote: »

We have been renting a property on a 12 month contract, and are now trying to renew the contract. The estate agent was only involved in the intial set up and we have always dealt directly with the landlord with any problems with the property etc. The estate agent has now sent us a letter asking for £150 administration fee to renew the contract, when all they have to do is print us a new contract! Is there anything we can do to avoid paying this completely unreasonable charge?

We've got the same issue, I've seen the advice for Scotland but we are based in England. Anything we can do? We don't plan to leave anytime soon and we paid the fee last year but this year money is tight so any help is welcome.

tbs624

hi misscoupon and thenortherners - if you both want to start a new thread in the main part of the House Buying Selling and Renting board you'll probably get more responses to your queries (See "new thread" button up at the top left)

MONEYME

I'm just moving out for the first time now and was wondering that when people go through letting agents is there any flexibility in the price? I'm looking at a place that's £900pcm but would really need to get it down to £800pcm. Is this possible do you think?

Carrie_Bloomy

I just join the forum and this is first post I read. Very interesting and helpful.

ptl161

Great post, and some really helpful suggestions.

mikoto

if i am going to rent how what should i check first?

lindseywinky

I am just in the process of renting so not signed a tenancy agreement just yet but the agents have informed me that I should allow 4 days for water, electric and gas connection upon contacting suppliers myself! Does this mean I will have to pay a connection fee to each of these companies, or is it just a case of finding out previous suppliers and contacting them with my details and moving in date, etc along with meter readings?

Am new to all this but thought the agents always write to service companies informing them of clients moving out and new ones moving in from my experience!

Bootsox

lindseywinky wrote: »

I am just in the process of renting so not signed a tenancy agreement just yet but the agents have informed me that I should allow 4 days for water, electric and gas connection upon contacting suppliers myself! Does this mean I will have to pay a connection fee to each of these companies, or is it just a case of finding out previous suppliers and contacting them with my details and moving in date, etc along with meter readings?

Am new to all this but thought the agents always write to service companies informing them of clients moving out and new ones moving in from my experience!

Yes, I know from personal experience that dealing with the utilities can be an almighty faff. Be prepared to make several 'phone calls to each.

Sometimes this will depend on the service that the letting agent is contracted to provide but, in the past, I have usually arranged to meet the agent at the property, jointly sign the tenancy, receive the keys and jointly read any meters. Make sure you personally witness and make a note of any gas, electricity and (if fitted) water meter readings.

In any event, upon taking the keys and gaining possession of the property, (to protect yourself) you must contact the utilities (electricity, gas, water, Council Tax, telecoms) with actual "opening" meter readings and confirm the actual date of taking over the property.

I think the agent's "four days" advice is good but to get the ball rolling with the utilities but you could do with asking the agent if they know (or can find out) who the existing suppliers are so you can start the process of setting up the accounts.

What I normally do then, after a month or so of settling in, is go to one of the price comparison web sites and make sure I have got a good deal with my utility. I know that the utility companies have a habit of screwing new customers with initial ropey tariffs (especially important with gas as winter is approaching).

You would not normally pay a connection fee for gas, electric, water and Council Tax but usually there is some form of "up front" payment to be made for telecoms.

Remember, with all these bills, you will be held personally responsible for ensuring that the correct payments are made during your period of tenureship.

trenb8qemc

I rent a house that I have been in for about 7 years now. We've never had a contract with the landlord. He stays far away without ever getting involved in the house.

It's got quite run down now and it's pretty annoying as anything we ever email to him he just ignores (calls as well). The house failed the gas safety certificate which we had to arrange.

It seems no matter what happens he's not interested. Does anybody know where I stand if I simply stopping paying rent until he sorts these kind of things out?