I'm ready to rent. What now?

southernscouser

OK, so I'm saving my little knackers off, have told the folks I'm moving out, and have already bought my TV!

So what now? Do I contact letting agents in the area I'm looking and ask them to send me details of all properties in my specified criteria, or do I have to go look at all of them, or do they just send you everything or what?

Thanks. :beer:

barnaby-bear

southernscouser wrote: »

OK, so I'm saving my little knackers off, have told the folks I'm moving out, and have already bought my TV!

So what now? Do I contact letting agents in the area I'm looking and ask them to send me details of all properties in my specified criteria, or do I have to go look at all of them, or do they just send you everything or what?

Thanks. :beer:

LAs are the spawn of the devil, they cream off fees for everything, if you can find a really good self-managing LL it can be easier, try small ads, websites (gumtree, local newspaper's site), newsagents windows, local college/unis notice board (some are even online), local councils private letting department (sob story about parents kicking you out / moving might help) - they have lists of good LLs.

Otherwise just go into the agents regularly but be prepared often you will need to sign up to move in quickly. They don't bother sending stuff out unless it's real cr&p.

guyrulius

How about trying a site like easyroommate and go with a house share first?

I've done it twice it it was a lot cheaper than dealing with LA etc. Gives you time to save for furniture etc.

If you're going to rent, don't be rushed into going for the first place you see. Don't fall for the 'we've got 10 people lined up for this place'. Don't be afraid to haggle.

Good luck.

southernscouser

guyrulius wrote: »

How about trying a site like easyroommate and go with a house share first?

That sounds like my idea of hell! :rotfl:

The reason I want my own gaff is for my own space. And my sanity!

Thanks for the tips though. I bet all the agents say "we've had a lot of interest and crap"! :rolleyes:

shellsuit

Tell them the area you want.

The price you are willing to pay upto.

Whether it's a flat or house you are after.

The amount of bedrooms you want.

Once they have been whittled down, then you can go further.......

Whether you want double glazing/gas central heating etc

The Council Tax band

Whether it's a long term or short term rental


OR, have a look here if you want to get searching right away : http://www.rightmove.co.uk/

barnaby-bear

southernscouser wrote: »

That sounds like my idea of hell! :rotfl:

The reason I want my own gaff is for my own space. And my sanity!

Thanks for the tips though. I bet all the agents say "we've had a lot of interest and crap"! :rolleyes:

Keep an eye on the market and what's not moving a desperate LL will agree a discount as a months void of 650 worse than accepting 600 a month, but watch out for the amature mortgaged to the hilt will try to sell from under you, incompetant fool who bought at the end of the BTL bandwagon. Serious issues if they can't pay the mortgage/do repairs....

We'll have lots of tips on how to keep your deposit the key is that the inventory and proof of condition when you move in is key - a dvd recording both sides of the mattress, the inside of the cracked freezer drawer, stains on the carpet, the oven (very important) interior, every little mark, get them to sign for the number of keys (common trick to claim gave two sets out but only one returned), every flaw, overgrown garden... then get your personel dept. at work, local vicar to sign it in a sealed envelope and keep it in case you need it...

existentialist

I'd definately avoid agents... buy a local evening paper on 'property' nights & see how it goes.

Reading here you will be 'clued up' anyway, saving being bled dry by the agents for 'easy' money.

shellsuit

existentialist wrote: »

I'd definately avoid agents... buy a local evening paper on 'property' nights & see how it goes.

Reading here you will be 'clued up' anyway, saving being bled dry by the agents for 'easy' money.

I agree with looking in a local paper as opposed to going to an agents.

As an example, there are various 3 bed houses to rent in this area, advertised in the paper. They want a months rent upfront as a deposit and that's it.

90% of agents here want a months rent in advance. Another months rent as desposit. £150+ for paperwork and £30ish for a credit check.

melancholly

gumtree often has a lot of ads too

congratulations btw! you must be looking forward to it a lot!!!

southernscouser

melancholly wrote: »

gumtree often has a lot of ads too

congratulations btw! you must be looking forward to it a lot!!!

Is gumtree a London thing or is it nationwide? :think:

I can't wait. Hopefully 5 weeks on Monday! :T

melancholly

there are sites for most cities on there - on the RHS as i remember it (too lazy to google to check )