Finding the perfect property

Once you have worked out your budget, established how much you can afford to pay and set aside the necessary fees for the deposit, rent in advance etc then you are ready to consider your rental property requirements and priorities. For example, do you need off street parking or a garden or do you need a spare bedroom? Do you have a pet?

These are the essentials that will dictate your interest or lack of interest in specific properties.

It is advisable to make a list of the essential criteria that your desired property must possess in order for it to be a viable tenancy for you. This helps you to be able to narrow your search down to those properties that are going to tick the necessary boxes and avoid wasting time viewing those which are not. Make sure you include all the things that you cannot compromise on proximity to public transport.

You may wish to make a secondary list of desirable elements or things that you would like but could manage without. These can help you make decisions between properties if you are finding it difficult to decide.

Viewing a property

Once you have an idea of what you want, the next stage of the rental process is to start viewing some properties. Some may look ideal on paper, but once you get there, they may not turn out to be what you were looking for. Similarly, there are those properties that almost match your requirements but need a little compromise, however when you actually step inside, have exactly the right feel to them.

It’s a good idea to have a set of questions already prepared to ask about each property you view as this will give you a better idea of the place, and also allow you to make direct comparisons with others.

Here are some suggestions of questions you may want to ask:

  •   What is included in the rent?
  •   Are pets allowed?
  •   How much storage space is there?
  •   Is there a good mobile phone signal and fast broadband speeds in the area?
  •   Who manages the property?
  •   Does the landlord live nearby?
  •   What is the parking situation like?
  •   What facilities are nearby e.g. transport links, shops, leisure centres.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like about the property. After all, if it is going to be your home for a reasonable amount of time then it is important that you know as much as possible about it, and the immediate area, in order to increase the chances of achieving a successful long-term tenancy and a happy home.

  • Another valuable tip is to take a tape measure with you when viewing properties as well as the measurements of any furniture you will be wanting to take.

Household/Utility bills

Don’t forget to budget for household bills when looking for your property. These include:

  • Council tax
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Broadband & phone line
  • Contents insurance
  • Groceries and Transport costs

Household bills can make a big difference to your budget and what you have left over to pay for rent, so calculating these costs beforehand is a priority.

Don’t forget to shop around to see if you can save money on any aspect of your household bills. Comparison sites can be useful to help compare providers before signing up to anything. Sites such as Uswitch, Money Supermarket and other similar facilities can save you a lot of money, so it’s well worth spending a bit of time on them.

Securing Your Property

Once you have found your ideal place and are ready to progress to the next stage, it is time to secure your property. The rental market moves quickly, so if you find something you want, you need to make your move or it could be reserved by someone else before you get a chance and you could end up disappointed.

The first thing you’ll do is make a formal offer. You’ll be required to provide detailed information alongside your offer for referencing purposes which will follow once the offer is approved by the landlord. Upon the offer being agreed you will also be required to provide a down payment or holding fee showing your commitment towards the Landlord. This will reserve the property for you. Now the property becomes known as ‘let agreed’ (not ‘let’, however, as it is still subject to contract).

Once the let is agreed in principle, you will need to provide appropriate ID. Your letting agent at Paran Property Services will provide you with a list of suitable documents, which include a UK photo driving licence, passport, or birth certificate.

You’ll also need to supply evidence of your residency status. This means providing a utility bill, a recent bank statement, current tenancy agreement (signed within the last six months) or a council tax bill (dated within the last three months).

You and anyone else who is going to be on the tenancy agreement with you will need to be credit referenced. This simply confirms that you can afford the monthly rent and that you don’t have serious credit problems. Failing this check doesn’t mean you can’t rent the property, but it could mean that you need to find a guarantor who will agree to pay the rent if you can’t.

You will be notified of the outcome of the credit reference checks so that you can find a guarantor if necessary.

Once all the checks have been carried out and the letting agent (and landlord) is satisfied, you will need to pay the deposit and first month’s rent. After that, it’s simply a question of agreeing a moving date and organising the transportation of your possessions.

Tenancy Agreements

A tenancy agreement is a written agreement between landlord and tenant to make the rental of the property by the landlord to the tenant legal. It gives both landlord and tenant security and also clearly lays out each party’s responsibilities.

The agreement is made up of two types of term:

  • Express Terms: explicitly written in the agreement. These include items such as the length of the tenancy, names and addresses, the amount of rent payable, and payment terms, as well as notice period for both parties.
  • Implied Terms: items or responsibilities that don’t need to be written down, because they are legally required. Implied terms can include things such as the fact that the landlord must carry out repairs, and that the tenant must provide access for the repairs to be made.

Looking after your property

When you’ve moved into the property, there are certain things that are generally either the tenant’s or the landlord’s responsibility. As the tenant, you are obliged to pay your rent on time, whether that’s weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. The payment terms will be laid out in your tenancy agreement.

You must also keep the property in a good condition. This means being adequately ventilated to avoid damp, sufficiently heated in winter, and kept clean. Checking smoke alarms regularly is also the responsibility of the tenant, as is changing light bulbs, and getting the windows cleaned. Most landlords do not permit smoking indoors, which you’ll need to bear in mind, and if you decide to get a pet, you must get permission from your landlord first. Going ahead without written consent could result in eviction.

Your landlord will look after maintenance and repairs, but you need to report any breakages or faults, and be able to provide access for the repairs to be made. If you damage any decoration, furniture, or amenities that don’t come down to general wear and tear, you will be required to pay for them out of your deposit.

Our guide to landlords’ responsibilities clearly sets out what your landlord is required to take care of.

Moving out

When it comes to moving on, you’ll need to give your landlord notice, via your Paran Properties agent. The length of notice you need to give can vary according to the type of contract you have (rolling or fixed term) but you will be able to find that information in your tenancy agreement. If for any reason you wish to leave before the end of your contract, you’ll generally need to pay a leaving fee, unless your agreement contains a break clause.

Your tenancy agreement will detail everything you’re expected to do before you leave the property. This generally means leaving the property completely clean, including carpets (and upholstery if it is furnished). It is a good idea to fill any picture hook holes, touch up paint scuffs and chips and leave the kitchen, shower and bath spotless. The inventory from when you first moved in will be useful in helping you get the property ready.

It’s also important to ensure you let your household utilities companies know you’ll be ending your contract, or moving it on to a new property. Make sure you give plenty of notice so you don’t have to pay fees. Sometimes it’s cheaper to move current tariffs over to your new property to avoid leaving charges.

To view our tenant fees, click here.

To view the tenant information, click here

How do we ensure you are protected?

We are a registered member of the UKALA Client Money Protection Scheme which ensures tenant monies are handled in the correct manner. Download a copy of our Client Money Protection Certificate here.

We are also members of The Property Redress Scheme, which is an independent scheme for consumer complaints. You may also download a copy of our Property Redress Scheme Certificate.