Looking for a new house can be an exciting yet daunting task, and for many new prospective tenants, the process of renting a new home can often be quite confusing.
However, here at Belvoir Birmingham, we don’t think that renting a property has to be a scary experience at all. We believe that the whole process can be kept smooth and straightforward by simply understanding how it works, from finding the home to signing the tenancy agreement.
Need some help? Here’s our guide to renting a house from start to finish!
Finding the Right Location
You may have some idea of where you want to live already, but if you are unfamiliar with the area or are wanting to move somewhere totally different, it’s important to research your ideal location thoroughly before setting your heart on moving there.
Don’t just base your choices off price alone – we know how tempting it can be! Although a property may have an attractive rent and look great on the listing, it’s important to identify why the rent is so low.
It may simply be that it’s a little bit further out of town or that there’s not many amenities such as shopping centres or grocery stores around it, but it’s always best to check that the area contains everything you need, of if you don’t mind travelling a little, within a reasonable distance away.
What Facilities Will the House Need?
If you’re a family of 3, a single bedroom studio flat isn’t going to be ideal, so make sure that you’re searching for a house that has all – or at least the majority – of the features that you require.
Whether you want a garden for your children to play in or just a simple, self-contained living space for yourself, always have a look around at all the available options. It’s also a good time to decide whether you want to furnish the home yourself or find a ready furnished home to move in to.
Generally, your estate agent will help you narrow down your choices to the properties that have these features, but it’s always a good idea to keep your eye out for other homes which may be suitable for you, too.
Make sure that you are informing your estate agents of your requirements so that they can get the best idea of what you are looking for right from the start.
Know What to Look For When Viewing a Property
Actually getting to view a property for the first time is exciting, especially if it’s one of your serious considerations.
You may already have your heart set on the property, but it’s important to thoroughly check the house out while you are physically in there looking round.
We’ve already covered what questions to ask and how to make the most of your property viewings, so head over to those posts to get an idea of what you need to be looking out for.
Signing the Tenancy Agreement
If you’ve found the perfect property and feel like it will fulfil all your needs and requirements adequately, the time has come to sign the lease.
This really isn’t that scary; it’s simply an agreement between yourself and your landlord, stating that you will look after their home while you are living there and outlines any rules that the landlord may have in place which you need to abide by. Understandable, right?
If a lettings agent is helping you, this step will be even easier as they will be able to explain any sections that you may not understand.
There are various other steps to renting, including budgeting your finances to pay your rent and bills, but it is hoped that this has been thought about well before before getting as far as searching and signing for a property!
At Belvoir Birmingham, we’re here to help make the renting process much easier for you. If you’re a first time renter, or simply feel like you need more support with the renting process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
