Tips For Renting A Home

With mortgages getting harder to obtain, more people are looking to rent in the private property industry. Council houses are like unicorns. So of course the renting industry is booming at the moment. But there is many things people do not consider and I am going to go through that with some tips when renting.

Firstly – consider going through a property letting agent instead of straight through a Landlord.
Generally, the property letting agents will be in charge of repairs and you may be able to get hold of them much easier.

I found property letting agents were better for issues than going direct to a Landlord. With the change in the law to make it fairer for tenants, the costs will be lower when you first look into renting a property. If you are looking for cheap apartments, you can check out websites like https://www.rent.com/texas/houston-apartments/cheap for affordable apartments near you.

Secondly – when looking around a house make sure you have a list of anything you are not happy with or needs repairing.
If you decide to move in, make sure you take pictures of anything that is broken, discoloured and point out to the agent or landlord.
Also have this written down on paper for your information.

Thirdly – Ask to read through the tenancy agreement beforehand. I always ask to see the tenancy agreement so if there is anything I do not agree with, or needs adding then that can be done there and then before any ink touches the paper.

Fourthly – Check other houses in the area for prices, make sure you are not overpaying for the area you live in.

Fifth – Deposit protection. Please make sure your deposit is protected.
This means your deposit will be under a scheme where it is protected and if there are any issues, then you have more chance of getting your deposit back if you have done no wrong.

Sixth – Gas safety. Check your gas appliances and boiler has been checked before you move in. Record the date and ensure it is checked every 12 months.

Seventh – If you want to decorate, enquire if you can. Also check your tenancy agreement as some will state no changes without asking, including decorating. You don’t want to be landed with a big bill when you move out.

Eighth – Tell your letting agent or landlord everything.
If a tile falls off, tell them straight away. Any issues with the house, tell them as soon as possible then you are not liable for the costs of repairs.
Last thing you want is a carpet that was coming apart due to a water leak, never reported so your bond pays for the repairs or worse having a big bill.

Ninth – Check reviews of the area, the landlord or letting agency.
Make sure they have good customer service as it is essential when something goes wrong.

*This is a collaboration post