Tips for Renting
Posted on 26/06/2010
At Clear Lets we're determined to find you a rented property that meets your budget.
However, a good general rule is not to spend more than one third of your income on rent. That way you'll be able to save for a home of your own one day if you so desire. And anyway, you don't want to miss out on your annual foreign holiday, do you?
A way you could reduce your rent is to come to a deal with your landlord re garden maintenance ie if you offer to weed, prune, cut the grass etc, he may give you a reduction in your rent.
Budget carefully prior to moving into your new rented home - remember you'll have a deposit to pay upfront plus a month's rent and probably installation costs eg telephone, internet connection.
Renting is a great idea if you fancy buying a property but aren't convinced it's the right location for you. By renting in that location you get a 'feel' for area and knowledge of amenities, public transport etc. And if it's not what you hoped it'd be you can leave at the end of your lease without any complications with mortgage payments etc.
Never break a lease. If you want to leave an area before the end of your lease then give your landlord as much notice as possible to allow him to find another tenant. Breaking a lease will get you a bad reputation and could make renting in the future very difficult.
If repairs arise in your rented flat then always let the landlord know. This leads to them getting fixed quicker and will prove less inconvenient for you.
An often overlooked area by new renters is bin collections and recycling. Find out when your bins are emptied and if there's any recycling (this isn't always the case in flatted properties where many residents can only recycle paper). Ask where the nearest eg glass recycling facility is. If the landlord can't provide this information you can always contact your local authority who will also provide details of special uplifts.
Always start looking for your rented property at least three months prior to when you hope to move in. You want to take your time and get exactly the right property, not be rushing around panicking in the last week and choosing something unsuitable.
For more advice on renting a property call Clear Lets staff who'll be only to happy to answer any of your questions.