Moving into a rental property should be exciting and fun. Whether this is your first taste of living independently or you are moving to a new area, renting gives you flexibility and freedom. But, it can also be a scary prospect, so we have put together some tips and advice to help your move into your rental home go smoothly.
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1. Organise your finances
Before you start looking, you have to know how much you can afford each month. Remember to not just calculate this based on rent alone. There are other outgoings to consider. You will need to budget for things like council tax, gas, electricity, internet and food bills.
2. Ask questions when viewing a property
You will have read about the property online, but when you view a property, it is the perfect time to discuss with the letting agent any other queries you may have. Checking how long the tenancy is and why the previous tenants are leaving are both important to questions to ask. Asking questions will leave you without any unpleasant surprises when you move in.
3. Check all the paperwork
Before you move in, there will be plenty of documents to read and sign. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent/how-to-rent-the-checklist-for-renting-in-england provides a list of documents you should receive.
4. Get a detailed inventory
When you move into the property, it is vital that you get a detailed inventory that is signed by the tenant and the landlord. This needs to be comprehensive and should list any existing damage in the property. Any reputable letting agent will have attended property inventory training through companies such as
https://inventorybase.co.uk/blog/inventorybase-academy-launches-provide-training-continuous-learning-inventory-clerks-property-managers/.
5. Pay the rent
Normally, rent is paid monthly via standing order. You must always ensure your rent is paid in full and on time. If you don’t, you will find yourself in breach of contract and could end up in court. This could also have an impact on your credit rating and you may find it difficult to rent a different property
6. Moving out
When you leave the property, it must be left in the same way as you found it. This is when the inventory becomes a very important document. If you have kept the property undamaged and clean, there should be no problem in having your deposit returned.
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