Guide To Renting
Finding Your Perfect Property
Once you have established how much you can afford to spend, and you have the additional monies (deposit, rent, etc ) to one side, you should start to think about your ‘must haves’. These are the things that you definitely want in your new property – it could be an eat in kitchen, you may want a period property, outside space, a balcony or garden, or even off-street parking.
You may need an unfurnished property, or maybe a furnished property if this is your first home. Perhaps you need to be within a school catchment, or close to shops, transport, or your place of work. Is it city central or more peaceful that you are looking for? If you can make a list of the things you just can’t compromise on, it will help narrow down your search.
At the same time, a list of things you would like but could compromise on providing it ticks other boxes can also help.
You may need an unfurnished property, or maybe a furnished property if this is your first home. Perhaps you need to be within a school catchment, or close to shops, transport, or your place of work. Is it city central or more peaceful that you are looking for? If you can make a list of the things you just can’t compromise on, it will help narrow down your search.
At the same time, a list of things you would like but could compromise on providing it ticks other boxes can also help.
Viewing Properties
The next stage of the rental process is to start viewing properties. Some will look amazing online yet once you view, it is not at all what you want. Similarly, those properties that almost match your requirements but might need a little compromise could, when you actually step inside, feel perfect. The property you fall in love with changes from one person to the next, so we recommend that you try to view a variety of properties.
Here are some important questions you could ask:
Here are some important questions you could ask:
- What furniture comes with the property?
- How much is the deposit?
- Who is the broadband provider?
- Are there any bills included?
- Can you get parking with this property?
- Who manages the property?
- Are pets allowed?
Depending on what you want from a property and the reasons you’re moving, you’ll have your own questions to add to this list too. Write them down and don’t be shy about asking them – if you’re going to live somewhere you need to feel comfortable going forward.
Utility Bills
Don’t forget to budget for household bills when looking for your property. These include:
- Council tax
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- Broadband & phone line
- Contents insurance
- TV Licence
Household bills are often not taken into account when offering on a property and can make a massive difference to your budget and what you have left over to pay for rent etc, so calculating these costs needs to be done as a priority.
Committing to a Property
Okay so you have found the perfect apartment or house and now want to progress. The first thing is to secure your property. The rental market can be very fast-paced, and if you find something you want, it is advisable you move quickly, or it could be snapped up by someone else. Making a prompt decision can save you disappointment, time and heartache.
The first thing you’ll do is make a formal offer. You will normally be sent a tenant offer letter detailing the parameters of your offer, this is usually through your negotiator. You will then be asked to provide a down payment which shows commitment to the landlord (normally one week's rent). You’ll be required to provide detailed information alongside your offer related to the referencing process that will follow once the offer is agreed. At this point, it is important to know that although your offer has been accepted, it is still subject to contract so proceeding with the timescales presented to you on the tenant offer letter is of paramount importance.
Once the let is agreed in principle, you will need to provide a list of additional documents which will differ based on a number of things, eg you will be asked for different information if you are a student, than if you are a working professional.
You and anyone who is going to be on the tenancy agreement will need to be referenced through either a third-party referencing company or our in-house referencing team. This simply confirms that you can afford to enter into a legally binding contract with the landlord and can afford the rent. Failing this check doesn’t mean you can’t rent the property, but it could mean that you may need to find a guarantor or pay several months’ rent (usually six months) in advance.
Once all the checks have been carried out and the letting agent (and landlord) are satisfied, you will need to pay the deposit and first month’s rent. After that, it’s simply a question of agreeing a moving date and getting packed up!
The first thing you’ll do is make a formal offer. You will normally be sent a tenant offer letter detailing the parameters of your offer, this is usually through your negotiator. You will then be asked to provide a down payment which shows commitment to the landlord (normally one week's rent). You’ll be required to provide detailed information alongside your offer related to the referencing process that will follow once the offer is agreed. At this point, it is important to know that although your offer has been accepted, it is still subject to contract so proceeding with the timescales presented to you on the tenant offer letter is of paramount importance.
Once the let is agreed in principle, you will need to provide a list of additional documents which will differ based on a number of things, eg you will be asked for different information if you are a student, than if you are a working professional.
You and anyone who is going to be on the tenancy agreement will need to be referenced through either a third-party referencing company or our in-house referencing team. This simply confirms that you can afford to enter into a legally binding contract with the landlord and can afford the rent. Failing this check doesn’t mean you can’t rent the property, but it could mean that you may need to find a guarantor or pay several months’ rent (usually six months) in advance.
Once all the checks have been carried out and the letting agent (and landlord) are satisfied, you will need to pay the deposit and first month’s rent. After that, it’s simply a question of agreeing a moving date and getting packed up!
Tenancy Agreements
A tenancy agreement is a written agreement between landlord and tenant to make the rental of the property by the landlord to the tenant legal. It gives both landlord and tenant security and also clearly lays out each party’s responsibilities. The agreement is made up of two types of terms:
- Express Terms: explicitly written in the agreement. These include items such as the length of the tenancy, names and addresses, the amount of rent payable and payment terms, as well as notice period for both parties.
- Implied Terms: items or responsibilities that don’t need to be written down because they are legally required. Implied terms can include things such as the fact that the landlord must carry out repairs, and that the tenant must provide access for the repairs to be made.
Looking After Your Property
When you’ve moved into the property, there are certain things that are generally either the tenant’s or the landlord’s responsibility.
As the tenant, you are obliged to pay your rent on time, whether that’s weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. The payment terms will be set out in your tenancy agreement.
You must also keep the property in a good state. It must be well ventilated, sufficiently heated during the winter, and clear of rubbish and dirt. It’s also your responsibility to check smoke alarms, change light bulbs, and get the windows cleaned. There are also restrictions such as not smoking indoors, and if you want to get a pet you must first get this signed off by your landlord. Going ahead without written consent could have you evicted.
Your landlord will look after maintenance and repairs, but you need to report any breakages or faults and be able to provide access for the repairs to be made. If you damage any decoration, furniture, or amenities that don’t come down to general wear and tear, you will need to pay out of your deposit.
Our guide to landlords’ responsibilities details what your landlord will look after.
As the tenant, you are obliged to pay your rent on time, whether that’s weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. The payment terms will be set out in your tenancy agreement.
You must also keep the property in a good state. It must be well ventilated, sufficiently heated during the winter, and clear of rubbish and dirt. It’s also your responsibility to check smoke alarms, change light bulbs, and get the windows cleaned. There are also restrictions such as not smoking indoors, and if you want to get a pet you must first get this signed off by your landlord. Going ahead without written consent could have you evicted.
Your landlord will look after maintenance and repairs, but you need to report any breakages or faults and be able to provide access for the repairs to be made. If you damage any decoration, furniture, or amenities that don’t come down to general wear and tear, you will need to pay out of your deposit.
Our guide to landlords’ responsibilities details what your landlord will look after.
Moving Out
When it comes to moving out, you’ll need to give notice to your landlord, via your Chant Group contact. If you’re on a rolling contract, you can usually give 1-2 months’ notice, but if you’re in a fixed term contract – usually 6-12 months – you’ll need to give notice 1-2 months before the end of your contract. If you want to leave before the end of your contract you’ll generally need to pay a leaving fee unless your agreement contains a break clause.
Your tenancy agreement will detail everything you’re expected to do before you leave the property. This could be having the property professionally cleaned and dry cleaning the carpets. General best practice will be to fill any picture hook holes, touch up paint scuffs and chips, and leave the shower and bath sparkling. The inventory from when you first moved in will be useful in helping you get the property ready.
It’s also important to ensure you let your household utility companies know you’ll be ending your contract, or moving it on to a new property. Make sure you give plenty of notice so you don’t have to pay fees. Sometimes it’s cheaper to move current tariffs over to your new property to avoid leaving charges.
Your tenancy agreement will detail everything you’re expected to do before you leave the property. This could be having the property professionally cleaned and dry cleaning the carpets. General best practice will be to fill any picture hook holes, touch up paint scuffs and chips, and leave the shower and bath sparkling. The inventory from when you first moved in will be useful in helping you get the property ready.
It’s also important to ensure you let your household utility companies know you’ll be ending your contract, or moving it on to a new property. Make sure you give plenty of notice so you don’t have to pay fees. Sometimes it’s cheaper to move current tariffs over to your new property to avoid leaving charges.
How To Rent Guides
This guide is for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. It includes a checklist and further details on each stage of the rental process.
How to rent – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How to rent – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)