Sound advice and valid information work well to secure the right property, when a tenant is scouting for a place to live. When a property is found and you are closer to becoming a tenant there many vital small steps that need to be taken. Here is an effort at having a glimpse of them.
Preliminary Steps
When you are looking rent apartments in London, a lot of background activity will be remaining before culminating in a rental deal.
- Viewing properties and finding a suitable house/ flat to rent
- Interacting with the estate agent on further steps
- Getting ready holding deposit to rent the property off the market.
- Submitting to the administrative process of reference/credit and profile checks to the satisfaction of the landlord
Admin Fee: When the letting agent asks for the administration fee along with your permission to conduct the relevant searches, you have to know that when the credential verification is negative your admin fee will be lost. So checking with the letting agent before agreeing to hand over cash or signing any form is most important.
Credential Search: You have to agree to the following documents to be perused by the letting agent and landlords:
References from ex landlords: Details of your previous stay in the last 3 years
Credit checks: This is to ensure a good history of paying your bills
Bank details: Bank name, account number and sort-code
Employment Details: Details of the Employer, designation, payroll number, salary, previous employer, etc.
Deposit: Before securing the keys deposit gas to be handed over. It may vary from two to three months’ rent with a lock in period as per the length of the tenancy.
Inventory: Inventory list will detail every item within the property as it was on day one when you moved in. The letting agent or the landlord will prepare it where the tenant must register his endorsement after verifying each item and counter sign in every page of the list.
Tenancy agreement: Signing the Tenancy agreement seals the rental deal. It is a contract between the tenant and the landlord detailing the rights and responsibilities of both sides.
Moving in: After the paper work is complete, you can move into the property
Moving out: At the end of your tenure at the property there are two options to consider: You can provide two months’ notice in writing to the landlord stating either your intention to vacate the property or to stay beyond the initial agreement.
Taking Back Deposit: When you decide to move out, give the property a complete cleaning. It will include carpets, windows, walls and furniture. When you and the landlord are satisfied the property has been left in an acceptable state and the final rental payment has been made, you can take your deposit back.
