The Letting Process

The Tenants Guide

From 1 October 2008 all homes being let will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.

Before you sign on the dotted line, shake hands with Rigsby and commit yourself to a decade of rising damp, flaking walls and a no-escape clause rental contract you might want to peruse this guide. Although the days of seedy bedsits and uncompromising landlords are becoming a thing of the past, there’s still a right and a wrong way to go about finding ideal rental accommodation.

Before signing

How much can you afford?

It goes without saying that the first thing you need to decide is how much you can afford. Bear in mind this not only includes the monthly rent, but also living expenses and utility/service fees.

Plan to pay no more than 25% to 33% of your take home pay on monthly rent. You’ll then have to work out your monthly outgoings and add them to the equation.

Rent
Council tax
Gas and electricity
Water
Land line telephone
Mobile
TV licence
Cable or satellite payments
Travel and transport
Insurance (contents, car, health etc)
Any credit card, or other loan, repayments (overdraft etc)
Average monthly spend in the supermarket
Clothes
Club memberships (gym, tennis etc)
Socialising costs (meals out, pub nights, cinema outings etc)
Holiday savings
Educational fees such as courses

Naturally, if the total exceeds your monthly incomings, you’d better think again – consider a flatmate, look at cheaper property, cut down on your expenses etc.

Viewing

When viewing potential accommodation, follow the following pointers to get the most out of the visit:

View in daylight when any structural or interior problems are more visible
If you have a digital camera, take some pictures to remind you of the layout and room sizes.
Take a pen and paper to write down any answers the landlord gives to your questions.
Make sure the rooms are big enough to accommodate your furniture.
Check for aerial sockets and telephone points
Check all appliances are working
Test all the bathroom facilities – shower, bath, sink and toilet.
Check for double glazing.
Are there safety locks on the doors and windows (particularly any ground floor rooms)?
Check behind fixtures and fittings for damp and condensation.

Questions to ask the landlord

What’s included in the rent? Make sure he/she also spells out what is not included – just to double check.
Does the property come furnished?
Ask if you can meet any other tenants.
Are there any facilities for parking?
What local amenities are on-hand?
How is the water heated?
Is there a fire alarm?
Ask what your responsibilities are ie reasonable maintenance of the garden etc.
Does he/she have any objections to cable or satellite TV being installed?
Check if broadband ADSL is available in the area.
Ask to see gas safety certification.

Signing

Once you’ve chosen your accommodation, you need to safeguard your and your landlord’s, rights by signing an agreement. Also, make sure that you go round with the landlord compiling an inventory of all the fixtures, fittings and accessories that are being made available to you. If you are both happy that the inventory is complete, you should both sign and date the list.