The tenant guide will provide you with advice and information on how to secure a rental property that's right for you.
Renting your home can be beneficial for many reasons. Renting can be cheaper than owning your home and bills can be more predictable too, which is great news for those who prefer stable finances. With fewer outgoings, you can save more money as you won't be responsible for property maintenance.
We know from experience that finding your perfect home can be stressful. This is why having a friendly letting agent on your side that tells you exactly what a block or area is like as opposed to telling you what you want to hear is important!
Whether you want to rent a house or flat, the rental process is the same. Rental properties usually become available about 1 - 2 months before the end of tenancy date, so where possible it is worthwhile to start looking early.
Firstly, you should think about budget and location. Depending on the location, you may find that you can rent a 2-bed apartment with parking for the same rent as a studio without parking so decide which is more important to you: location, space, or a compromise.
You need to know what your priorities are, it can be difficult to find everything you want in one property. An important decision to make early on is whether you would like a furnished or unfurnished property. Many unfurnished properties now come with modern appliances such as a fridge and washing machine, though it's always a good tip to ask the agent exactly what's included. If an item that you would like isn't there and it's a make-or-break situation don't be afraid to ask your us as the landlord might be willing to provide it for you..
To work out what rent you could afford monthly, total your monthly expenses (not including the rental estimate) and subtract this amount from your monthly income. The final figure is a rough guide of what figure is affordable for rent each month. Use this figure as an estimate when you're searching.
Finding the right location will have an impact on your lifestyle and the property you choose. We can provide useful information about house prices, local schools, transport links and other local amenities. This will help you choose an area with confidence.
Once you have found a rental property you like, book a viewing as early as possible. There is high demand for properties in the rental market and if you find a property you love, it's best to move fast to secure it.
If you get a great feeling once you've viewed a property it's wise to immediately put down the holding deposit, to take your potential new home off the market. Only once you've paid the holding deposit the property is secured in your name and taken off the market whilst you go through the referencing process.
A referencing check is completed to ensure that you're a suitable tenant and meet the rental affordability criteria. We may ask for an employment reference, a previous landlord reference along with a credit check, amongst other items.
On passing the references, you will pay the first months' rent along with the security deposit which is 5 weeks rent. The security deposit is held to cover any property dilapidations that may occur and need to be repaired at the end of your tenancy. Cherry Picked Properties protect your deposit in the government approved scheme, The DPS (Deposit Protection Service).
We will organise for both you and the landlord to sign the tenancy agreement which sets out the terms of the tenancy.
You will now be given the keys to your new property and a housewarming gift from Cherry Picked Properties to enjoy in your new home, subject to availability!
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