The idiots guide to renting please
Discussion
Pretty straight forward really.
1) look at estate agents website for a house/flat that you really like the look of
2) Find another house/flat that you can afford!
3) Phone estate agent to arrange viewing
4) Stand in the pissing rain outside address waiting for bastard estate agent to turn up!
5) Be quietly amazed at how they can charge that much per month
for a rabbit hutch with laminate flooring
6) Decide on property that fulfills your budget and criteria (i.e. has 4 walls a roof and at leat one lockable door)
7) Agree to take flat/house.
8) Read through contract paying special attention to not only what is expected of you but what is expected of the landlord (look for notice time limits and what aspects of the property you are responsible for, also find out what bills/council tax you are responsible for, also look out for extortionate building maintenance fees!).
8) Pay extravagant deposit (usually a months rent).
9) Arrange date to move in and collect keys (this may also involve standing around in the pissing rain)
10) Move in and find that the central heating doesn't work, the roof leaks and that your nieghbours are heavy metal devotees with a remarkably noisy sex life
11) Spend 12 months complaining to estate agent who will do nothing. Complain to land lord who will do nothing (or tell you to see estate agent)
12) Move out after 12 sleepless months....
13) start researching mortgage options.......
1) look at estate agents website for a house/flat that you really like the look of
2) Find another house/flat that you can afford!
3) Phone estate agent to arrange viewing
4) Stand in the pissing rain outside address waiting for bastard estate agent to turn up!
5) Be quietly amazed at how they can charge that much per month
for a rabbit hutch with laminate flooring 6) Decide on property that fulfills your budget and criteria (i.e. has 4 walls a roof and at leat one lockable door)
7) Agree to take flat/house.
8) Read through contract paying special attention to not only what is expected of you but what is expected of the landlord (look for notice time limits and what aspects of the property you are responsible for, also find out what bills/council tax you are responsible for, also look out for extortionate building maintenance fees!).
8) Pay extravagant deposit (usually a months rent).
9) Arrange date to move in and collect keys (this may also involve standing around in the pissing rain)
10) Move in and find that the central heating doesn't work, the roof leaks and that your nieghbours are heavy metal devotees with a remarkably noisy sex life
11) Spend 12 months complaining to estate agent who will do nothing. Complain to land lord who will do nothing (or tell you to see estate agent)
12) Move out after 12 sleepless months....
13) start researching mortgage options.......
(assuming you are renting from an individual) Read the lease carefully, make sure it includes items you want and to the extent possible avoid undesirable features. Having a lawyer go over it before you sign might be wise. Most experienced landlords will have a standard contract.
Once you have established a few months good payment record and the landlord sees you are not trashing the property, they should treat you well.
Take a good look at the property offered for rent, even though you won't be responsible for repairs if it's run-down you will be inconvenienced waiting for repairs.
You should carry your own renter's insurance if you will have anything of value with you, since if the place were to burn or whatever your personal property would not be covered by the landlord.
Apartments tend to be noisy, if you are used to a house you won't like being in an apt. Apt. complexes can be pretty car-hostile too, with only an open car-park and idiots denting and scatching your car. Some at least offer a garage but this is not as good as your own garage.
The best rental deals I know of are "garage apartments" frequently in better parts of town, garage below and apt. above.
Once you have established a few months good payment record and the landlord sees you are not trashing the property, they should treat you well.
Take a good look at the property offered for rent, even though you won't be responsible for repairs if it's run-down you will be inconvenienced waiting for repairs.
You should carry your own renter's insurance if you will have anything of value with you, since if the place were to burn or whatever your personal property would not be covered by the landlord.
Apartments tend to be noisy, if you are used to a house you won't like being in an apt. Apt. complexes can be pretty car-hostile too, with only an open car-park and idiots denting and scatching your car. Some at least offer a garage but this is not as good as your own garage.
The best rental deals I know of are "garage apartments" frequently in better parts of town, garage below and apt. above.
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