The Dos And Donts Of Renting
If your digs are grim with a capital "G", then do something about it - it doesn't have to cost a lot. With a bit of imagination your dingy, out-dated flat could become a cosy haven from the world. Here's how:
DO…
Think carefully about where you’re going to rent a place, whether you want to live alone or share, what kind of place you’d like to live in and why you’re moving out of where you live now
Beware of letting agency charges, find out what they charge for before you ask them to help you look
Have a good look around the place to check everything’s in working order. Also, check out the neighbourhood, does it suit you? Will you suit it?
Find out whether electricity, gas, water and council tax are included in the rent
Understand what kind of contract you’re signing - if you’re unsure get some advice
Be aware of how much notice you need to give if you want to leave
Draw up an inventory with your landlord on the day you move in so you both know what’s there, how things work and whether anything is already damaged. Get your landlord to sign it
Pay the deposit by cheque, banker’s draft or credit card so you have some proof of payment and get a receipt with the date, address of the property, signature of the landlord and amount received and a note of what the deposit covers
Know what your landlord can and can’t do under the law. For instance, it’s illegal for him/her to turn up without warning or cut off your gas supply
Contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau if you need any advice (see Yellow Pages)
DON’T…Sign a contract until you’re sure about all the points
Forget a verbal agreement is as legally binding as a written one, so don’t agree to anything until you’re sure
Worry about wear and tear – a reasonable amount is expected, but make sure it states in the contract what ‘reasonable’ means
Refuse to pay your last month’s rent if you’re worried about getting your deposit back – you could be prosecuted!
Give your landlord grounds to evict you – know what these are, they include: having lied to get the place, continually paying your rent late and trashing the place.
If you’ve got any other questions about renting, drop us an email at The Editor and we’ll do our best to answer them for you.
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