Top 20 Tips to Trouble-Free Renting
- Choose a location carefully, make an informed choice and consider distance to shops,
transport and other facilities. - Decide on the criteria you require in a property (e.g number of bedrooms) this will help to
narrow down your short list of potentially suitable properties. - Never pay a deposit without viewing the property first no matter how eager you are to secure a new place to live.
- Decide carefully who you are going to live with. Be certain you can get on with any
potential new house mates. - Agree in advance how the rent and bills will be divided.
- Read the lease agreement and understand what you are signing – it is a legal contract.
- Have a detailed inventory of content’s this will help to protect your deposit in the event of
a dispute. - Agree some house rules with your fellow tenants. This helps to prevent arguments.
- Open a separate bank account for the rent and bill payments.
- Treat the property and its contents with respect.
- Understand your rights and obligations as a tenant.
- Develop a good relationship with you landlord or agent and communicate with them.
- Pay your rent on time. Use a standing order.
- Check that your rental property is fitted with smoke alarms and a fire blanket.
- Inform the landlord or agent of anything that requires attention, for example repairs that
are needed. - Permit the landlord or agent to inspect the property. This prevents small problems
escalating. - Insure your own contents, they are not covered under the landlords policy.
- Give the correct amount of notice and follow the correct procedure for giving notice. Do not give notice by text it is not valid.
- Get written permission from the landlord before you make any changes to a property, for
example painting a room. - Clean the property thoroughly before you move out.