Top Tips for Finding the Right Property to Rent

With the current economic problems playing havoc with the housing market throughout the United Kingdom there has been a sharp rise in the number of people looking to rent, rather than buy, properties until the worst of the credit crunch is over. When looking into renting a property there are many things to take into consideration, this article aims to provide some tips and advice on what they should consider before and while embarking on a search for rental property.



The first, and most important, step is to take some time to sit down and work out exactly what you can afford. Often prospective tenants fail to take into consideration some of the many regular outgoings that renting a flat can incur. In addition to the monthly rent tenants will have the initial deposit and maintenance costs coupled with any inventory or tenancy agreement costs. After this any other monthly costs need considered, these will include things like water, gas, telephone and electricity bills; council tax, insurance and tv licenses.



The next step is identifying exactly what features a property needs to meet. There are many factors that can influence how eligible a property is and it will vary from tenant to tenant how important each one is. As mentioned above, the first thing to do is check that the property matches the budget. Location is another important consideration. Is the property in a desirable (or undesirable) area? How close are necessary amenites: shops, post offices, shools etc? Another important thing to consider is transportation links. Is the location well served by both roads and public transport, and does the public transport run consistently at the times that you are likely to need it?



After finding a property you will need to decide on what sort of tenency to have. The majority of tenancies are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST). These occur when the rent is below £25000 per annum and the landlord does not live on the premises. ASTs usually last from between 6-12 months unless a different time is arranged in advance. Aside from ending at the end of its term a landlord can terminate a tenancy at any point by giving 2 months notice. If the tenant fails to pay rent for 2 months the landlord is able to evict the tenant.



Sometimes the easiest approach is to find a letting agency that can assist you in finding a property. I was recently searching for either property to rent in Liverpool or houses to rent in Manchester and was glad I opted to use an agency.



Finding a property to rent can be a daunting task, but by taking a little time to work out exactly what you need and how much you can afford the search can become far less painful.