Questions on Renting a Property
Discussion
Hey guys
I've just done a search and read a lot of useful information on renting property and the discussions about this or buying, but i've a couple of specific questions from the tenant's point of view.
- The advertised cost per month, are you able to make an offer?, or is this price seen as fixed?
- If i move in and find i don't like a certain wall colour or decoration?, am able to re-paint this?
- Likewise, Carpet - if there is what i'd call an awful carpet in a particular room, am i able to change this at my expense?
I seem to think a lot of things like this would go through the landlord and it would be their decision, but is this even something that would be possible?
I've done further searches on guides to renting, but if others have any advice on the sort of things i've mentioned above it would be appreciated.
Cheers
Gaz
I've just done a search and read a lot of useful information on renting property and the discussions about this or buying, but i've a couple of specific questions from the tenant's point of view.
- The advertised cost per month, are you able to make an offer?, or is this price seen as fixed?
- If i move in and find i don't like a certain wall colour or decoration?, am able to re-paint this?
- Likewise, Carpet - if there is what i'd call an awful carpet in a particular room, am i able to change this at my expense?
I seem to think a lot of things like this would go through the landlord and it would be their decision, but is this even something that would be possible?
I've done further searches on guides to renting, but if others have any advice on the sort of things i've mentioned above it would be appreciated.
Cheers
Gaz
I've bartered with the rent on a rental house, I don't see why you shouldn't.
Alterations - you need to talk to the Landlord, the last house I rented I wanted some work done before we committed to it, the front bedroom was painted the most hideous old lady pink and it had a really nasty 1970's built in wardrobe and drawer combo. We asked that either they let us take the stuff out and repaint or that they did it. They chose to do it so we didn't need to.
Re carpet, if the Landlord let's you replace it they might specify a decent quality carpet and you will almost certainly be required to leave it behind when you go.
Talk to the landlord or the letting agent and it should all be fine. Don't carry out alterations without consent though, tends to make LL's very narked!
Alterations - you need to talk to the Landlord, the last house I rented I wanted some work done before we committed to it, the front bedroom was painted the most hideous old lady pink and it had a really nasty 1970's built in wardrobe and drawer combo. We asked that either they let us take the stuff out and repaint or that they did it. They chose to do it so we didn't need to.
Re carpet, if the Landlord let's you replace it they might specify a decent quality carpet and you will almost certainly be required to leave it behind when you go.
Talk to the landlord or the letting agent and it should all be fine. Don't carry out alterations without consent though, tends to make LL's very narked!
As an ex landlord it would depend on the tennant if I gave them a reduced fee how long are they thinking of staying, do they look like decent people, obviously there would be the checks done but there is gut instinct as well.
As for alterations as your cost then why not, I will want the house to be returned to me at the end of the tenancy in as good condition as I rented it to you, if its better then cool, im not going to be keeping any deposit and if im cheeky enough to try you can tell me where to go.
As for alterations as your cost then why not, I will want the house to be returned to me at the end of the tenancy in as good condition as I rented it to you, if its better then cool, im not going to be keeping any deposit and if im cheeky enough to try you can tell me where to go.
I'm a landlord and my current tenants got a new suite which clashed with the carpet, so they offered to buy new carpet and have it fitted if I was OK with it, and that they'd leave it when they left.
No problem - and the new carpet looked really nice.
Same with decorating - as long as they do it well, and it's not too garish, I don't have a problem with it - managing agents will verify this anyway.
In fact my tenants have also spruced up the kitchen cupboards and worktops at their expense, but again DID ask for permission to do this.
HOWEVER, I would be really pi$$ed off, on principle, if they did this type of thing without asking.
Mind you, they're great tenants - been there 7 years
No problem - and the new carpet looked really nice.
Same with decorating - as long as they do it well, and it's not too garish, I don't have a problem with it - managing agents will verify this anyway.
In fact my tenants have also spruced up the kitchen cupboards and worktops at their expense, but again DID ask for permission to do this.
HOWEVER, I would be really pi$$ed off, on principle, if they did this type of thing without asking.
Mind you, they're great tenants - been there 7 years
Entirely up to the landlord. Speaking as one:
Price: I didn't move on price because I quickly got five enquiries and three viewings. But it was up to me. After all it's my goddamn house!
Redecorating: My tenant wanted to smarten the place up bit (was 20-year old magnolia) and agreed the colours with me. I'm happy to pay for the materials because it's making the house better.
Carpet: That's OK so far, but would treat as above.
Never hurts to ask - the worst the landlord can say is 'no'.
Price: I didn't move on price because I quickly got five enquiries and three viewings. But it was up to me. After all it's my goddamn house!
Redecorating: My tenant wanted to smarten the place up bit (was 20-year old magnolia) and agreed the colours with me. I'm happy to pay for the materials because it's making the house better.
Carpet: That's OK so far, but would treat as above.
Never hurts to ask - the worst the landlord can say is 'no'.
Thanks for all the info chaps, that's really helpful.
I pretty much understood that all decisions would go through the Landlord so that's confirmed a few things. I'd be grateful if you could give me a bit more info as well please?.
- Are there any do's/dont's in terms of coming across as potential good tenants (say on a first viewing/meeting)?
- I would like to set up a direct debit for the monthly payments - is this something LL's prefer and are used to setting up for tenants?
- Are houses to let with a set term of renting in mind?, or is this something that's discussed with potential tenants on viewing etc?
- How does the process work, say from me spotting a potential house online, to actually being successful as a tenant and moving in? (say the house is currently available). i.e - Would there be a number of viewings? Is it just a credit check that takes place? (Does this check take place by all types of LL's - agents & Private?) How long does it all take?
- If a house has a BT landline already installed and a tenant has a current contract with Sky for example, are LL's generally of the agreement to let things like new lines for phone/broadband or sky dishes be added to property?
- I've read about the LL's possibly needing access to the property now and again. Is this something that has to be pre arranged?, other than when it maybe some sort of emergency? (The family would obviously want to know they are safe where they are and not feel like someone could walk into the house at any time which i'm sure is not the case but i've been told to ask)
Bit of background - I currently have a mortgage on a house and without getting into the fore and against argument of renting, we are looking into it as a possible next move (for various reasons), so i'm trying to cover as many things as possible to establish if its even worthwhile thinking about. If we go for it then, it would be with a long term aim.
Many thanks again, your help is much appreciated!
Gaz
I pretty much understood that all decisions would go through the Landlord so that's confirmed a few things. I'd be grateful if you could give me a bit more info as well please?.
- Are there any do's/dont's in terms of coming across as potential good tenants (say on a first viewing/meeting)?
- I would like to set up a direct debit for the monthly payments - is this something LL's prefer and are used to setting up for tenants?
- Are houses to let with a set term of renting in mind?, or is this something that's discussed with potential tenants on viewing etc?
- How does the process work, say from me spotting a potential house online, to actually being successful as a tenant and moving in? (say the house is currently available). i.e - Would there be a number of viewings? Is it just a credit check that takes place? (Does this check take place by all types of LL's - agents & Private?) How long does it all take?
- If a house has a BT landline already installed and a tenant has a current contract with Sky for example, are LL's generally of the agreement to let things like new lines for phone/broadband or sky dishes be added to property?
- I've read about the LL's possibly needing access to the property now and again. Is this something that has to be pre arranged?, other than when it maybe some sort of emergency? (The family would obviously want to know they are safe where they are and not feel like someone could walk into the house at any time which i'm sure is not the case but i've been told to ask)
Bit of background - I currently have a mortgage on a house and without getting into the fore and against argument of renting, we are looking into it as a possible next move (for various reasons), so i'm trying to cover as many things as possible to establish if its even worthwhile thinking about. If we go for it then, it would be with a long term aim.
Many thanks again, your help is much appreciated!
Gaz
Allblackdup said:
Thanks for all the info chaps, that's really helpful.
I pretty much understood that all decisions would go through the Landlord so that's confirmed a few things. I'd be grateful if you could give me a bit more info as well please?.
- Are there any do's/dont's in terms of coming across as potential good tenants (say on a first viewing/meeting)?
- I would like to set up a direct debit for the monthly payments - is this something LL's prefer and are used to setting up for tenants?
- Are houses to let with a set term of renting in mind?, or is this something that's discussed with potential tenants on viewing etc?
- How does the process work, say from me spotting a potential house online, to actually being successful as a tenant and moving in? (say the house is currently available). i.e - Would there be a number of viewings? Is it just a credit check that takes place? (Does this check take place by all types of LL's - agents & Private?) How long does it all take?
- If a house has a BT landline already installed and a tenant has a current contract with Sky for example, are LL's generally of the agreement to let things like new lines for phone/broadband or sky dishes be added to property?
- I've read about the LL's possibly needing access to the property now and again. Is this something that has to be pre arranged?, other than when it maybe some sort of emergency? (The family would obviously want to know they are safe where they are and not feel like someone could walk into the house at any time which i'm sure is not the case but i've been told to ask)
Bit of background - I currently have a mortgage on a house and without getting into the fore and against argument of renting, we are looking into it as a possible next move (for various reasons), so i'm trying to cover as many things as possible to establish if its even worthwhile thinking about. If we go for it then, it would be with a long term aim.
Many thanks again, your help is much appreciated!
Gaz
LL's mainly want someone who will stay for a while, will pay the rent on time, won't cause them too much hassle and won't trash the property! In your position I would stress that you are a homeowner who is relocating (or whatever). I pretty much understood that all decisions would go through the Landlord so that's confirmed a few things. I'd be grateful if you could give me a bit more info as well please?.
- Are there any do's/dont's in terms of coming across as potential good tenants (say on a first viewing/meeting)?
- I would like to set up a direct debit for the monthly payments - is this something LL's prefer and are used to setting up for tenants?
- Are houses to let with a set term of renting in mind?, or is this something that's discussed with potential tenants on viewing etc?
- How does the process work, say from me spotting a potential house online, to actually being successful as a tenant and moving in? (say the house is currently available). i.e - Would there be a number of viewings? Is it just a credit check that takes place? (Does this check take place by all types of LL's - agents & Private?) How long does it all take?
- If a house has a BT landline already installed and a tenant has a current contract with Sky for example, are LL's generally of the agreement to let things like new lines for phone/broadband or sky dishes be added to property?
- I've read about the LL's possibly needing access to the property now and again. Is this something that has to be pre arranged?, other than when it maybe some sort of emergency? (The family would obviously want to know they are safe where they are and not feel like someone could walk into the house at any time which i'm sure is not the case but i've been told to ask)
Bit of background - I currently have a mortgage on a house and without getting into the fore and against argument of renting, we are looking into it as a possible next move (for various reasons), so i'm trying to cover as many things as possible to establish if its even worthwhile thinking about. If we go for it then, it would be with a long term aim.
Many thanks again, your help is much appreciated!
Gaz
Rent - most LL's will expect an electronic payment, you will set this up by standing order rather than the LL taking it by DD. You will need the LL's bank details.
IIRC an assured shorthold tenancy is for a minimum of six months (unless it's changed?), but anyway practically most LL's will be looking for six months. If you are in a position to commit to longer you may appeal more to the LL if you agree to 12 months. Ask whether the LL/letting agent will want to put a new contract in place at the end of the AST or whether they will be happy with the tenancy becoming a periodic tenancy and continuing on a rolling basis.
I'll leave someone else to deal with the rest...other than access, you're entitled to "quiet enjoyment" of the property. Check what the tenancy agreement says (actually that's a good point - make sure you read the TA properly), usually there will be a requirement that gives the LL access on 48 hours notice unless its an emergency.
I used a letting agent to sort out the technical/legal stuff, and they did a great job for just an introductory fee, not a monthly cut.
They found and shortlisted tenants, arranged viewings, accompanied the viewings (with me because I wanted to meet the candidates too!) and drew up the contract for signing. I also took a photographic record of the house and put that on CD so we have 'proof' of what the house was like before they moved in.
You'll find the guy responsible here as 'jamiefromconcord'.
As for arranging access, I really don't know why people get so steamed about this. Some tenants seem to hate landlords and think they're going to break in and eat their children. I just phone the tenant and say 'Can I come round sometime this weekend?'. Simple as that.
They found and shortlisted tenants, arranged viewings, accompanied the viewings (with me because I wanted to meet the candidates too!) and drew up the contract for signing. I also took a photographic record of the house and put that on CD so we have 'proof' of what the house was like before they moved in.
You'll find the guy responsible here as 'jamiefromconcord'.
As for arranging access, I really don't know why people get so steamed about this. Some tenants seem to hate landlords and think they're going to break in and eat their children. I just phone the tenant and say 'Can I come round sometime this weekend?'. Simple as that.
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