There’s plenty to think about when renting a property, from finding a place that suits your budget and your needs to ensuring that your deposit’s protected and that your living conditions are as they should be. At Belvoir Sutton Coldfield, we’ve put together a list of our five top tips for new tenants, which could save you time, hassle and money.
1. Use a Reputable Agency
We’ve all seen those programmes on television that show just how much can go wrong when using a cowboy letting agent. If using a letting agent, check that they’re a member of a professional body such as the Propertymark Scheme, the Property Ombudsman or the Association of Residential Letting Agents. If in doubt, Google should help you to decide whether to trust them.
2. Ask the Right Questions
You may think you’ve found your dream property, but asking the right questions will determine whether it’s really right for you. Check how long the tenancy is for, the value of the deposit, who is responsible for bills, and why the previous tenants moved out. The answers you’re given will help you to make your mind up.
3. Determine Whether Your Deposit will be Protected
By law, deposits that tenants pay for assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) must be registered with a recognised Deposit Protection Scheme to keep their money safe. Check whether this is the case before you sign on the dotted line.
4. Check the Condition of the Property
If there is any existing wear and tear to fixtures and fittings before you move in, ensure that it’s noted on the inventory that’s taken before you move in. If there’s a record of damage caused before you arrived, you won’t be asked to pay for it from your deposit when you move out.
5. Take Meter Readings
Do this as soon as you move in, before setting up your gas and electricity accounts. This will ensure that the only bills you pay will be ones that you’ve incurred – you don’t want to pay the previous tenant’s bills.
By ensuring that you know what’s what in advance, you could save yourself a great deal of hassle down the line. If you’re looking for a property in the area, contact us to find out how we can help.
