Now you have decided that you would like to look for a new property you firstly must ensure that you are financially prepared. Renting requires credit checks, referencing, security deposit, a month’s rent in advance and a tenant contract of a minimum term period (usually 6 months) so it is important to gather this information before beginning your search to avoid disappointment.

Once you have decided on your budget it’s now time to start your search. Beginning your search on the property portals such as Zoopla and Rightmove will be able to show you a large choice of properties that fall within your budget. It is also a good idea to register with us as you will receive emails as soon as we add properties that fall within your search criteria and therefore beating the crowd.

Once you are ready to view the property, here are some things to consider when viewing:

• How much is the rent and is it negotiable?
• Are there any additions included in the rent? Bills etc.?
• If bills aren’t included it is good to get a rough idea of how much the current tenant spends so that you can incorporate this into your budget.
• What is the total amount for the deposit and where will this be stored?
• What are all the tenant fees, how much are they and when are they due?
• What is the total length of the agreement?
• Is there a notice period if you choose to leave the property early and are there fees?
• Who will be your emergency contact?
• Ensure that the landlord has the correct insurance for the property, you will most likely be responsible for the contents insurance.

When you are viewing a property, please remember that you are also being assessed to ensure that you are a suitable tenant for the landlord. If you are interested in placing an offer, references will be required.

Once you are ready to sign the rental agreement this is an important stage as this is a legal document for you, the tenant and the landlord. Ensure you are happy with all parts of the agreement before signing and do not hesitate to ask questions. On the day that you move into the property, you will have a walkthrough with either the landlord or the agent who will carry out an inventory checklist. This is another important document as if anything gets damaged by the fault of the tenant, the money will be deducted from your deposit to cover the costs to replace/fix that particular issue. It might be an idea to take photos as you go around which are dated to include in the inventory.

Welcome to your new home!