Moving In
You will not be able to move in until you have paid your deposit, first month’s rent and any fees. But once on your way, this can be a very exciting time and it’s very easy to forget a few important things:
- Insure your own belongings at the property - the landlord’s insurance will not provide cover for them.
- Make sure you know how all equipment in the property works and you have their manuals.
- Find out the telephone number for various emergency maintenance services.
- Tell your gas, electricity, water and telephone companies the day you move in, making you own note of the meter readings.
- If you are responsible for Council Tax, speak to your local authority.
- You may also want to speak to your local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator or the resident’s association if the property is in a block of flats.
Looking after your rented property
You will need to pay for fixing or replacing any damage to the property while you are renting it, otherwise it comes out of your deposit. So return the property to the landlord at the end of the tenancy in the same condition as at the start, allowing for fair wear and tear.
Remember, if you are away, for whatever reason:
- You still need to pay rent on the right date.
- You are responsible for the property’s security.
- Make sure the property is not damaged by the weather.
- Let your insurer and your landlord know so that insurance arrangements can be made.
- Give the landlord emergency contact details.
Tenant’s checklist
Here’s a brief summary of the various costs you will have to consider when you rent a property:
Insurance:
The landlord is most likely to obtain building insurance for the property although it is up to the tenants to insure their personal possessions. It is advisable to check with the landlord what exactly is covered in the policy.
Letting agent’s charges:
The letting agent may make an administration charge for processing the application and for completing he relevant paperwork.
Reference costs:
There is likely to be a cost made by the bank in order to undertake the credit checks and references.
Removal:
The costs of moving will vary depending on how much belongings you have and how far you are moving.
Services:
You don’t usually have to pay to have gas, electricity or water reconnect, but there may be a charge to reconnect the phone