Guide to renting

Looking for a new property to rent can be fun, daunting and sometimes stressful. For this reason we have put together some useful tips to help you on your way.

Start looking 1-2 months in advance

Start looking months ahead because looking for a place that meets your criteria can take some time.

As well as searching online, approach established, reputable agents for assistance. Seek the agents advice on affordability, as you will usually need to pay the rent and supporting bills, such as utility bills, Council Tax, TV Licence, broadband, home contents insurance and all your living expenses.

Do not be afraid to put a lower offer forward, as the agent will be aware whether the landlord is willing to negotiate on the rental price and can negotiate on your behalf.

Be flexible

There is no such thing as the perfect property, so you need to be prepared to compromise on a few things and be sure of what attribute you are happy to live without.

Is it off street parking or the distance to a train station or is it something more cosmetic? Take the time to discuss these concerns with your agent, as they may be able to assist you in one or two areas of concern.

Get your paperwork together

Get your supporting paperwork ready when applying for a property - the most recent 3 months’ bank statements, three months’ payslips, proof of identity (passport and visa - if applicable), an employer's reference and landlord reference from your previous rental property.

Agents do have the means to contact your employers and landlords to request references direct, but if you have these references already it makes the letting process much faster.

Sign the Tenancy Agreement

Agents and landlords should send a blank tenancy agreement out to you to read and familiarise yourself with before signing the agreement. The most common type of agreement is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), and will include the address of the property you are going to rent, the name and contact details of the landlord, the rental amount, the start date and end date of the rental period and specific negotiated terms.

The majority of our landlords have a 12 month break clause; ensure you understand what it means if you decide to terminate the tenancy early (before the end date).

Contacting your service providers

Once you have completed referencing and have a moving in date you’ll need to contact TV Licensing, broadband service provider & TV/entertainment service provider to advise them of your moving in date. You also need to remember to advise DVLA, car insurance company, home contents insurance of your change of address.

Mackstone Ltd contacts the utility companies on behalf of our tenants to ease the pressure of moving into a new property. These include Council Tax, energy provider (electricity and gas), water supplier.

We also suggest that your details are submitted on the electoral roll improve your credit score rating.