Things to Know When Moving Into a Rented Property for the First Time

Moving into a rented property makes a lot of sense for many people, what with the huge deposits required to buy a home, the ongoing maintenance costs of owning a home, and the uncertainty over long term job prospects. And of course, renting a home gives you flexibility in your life that more permanent roots do not.

So in this guide, you will find all the information you need to know if you are planning on moving into a rented home.

In this guide to renting a property for the first time you will find:

• The Pros and Cons of Renting a Home
• 7 Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Home
• What to Budget for When Renting a Home
• 3 Essential Property Rental Checklists
• 39 Questions to Ask When Renting a Home
• How to Move Into a Rented Home
• Renting a Property before Buying or Selling a Home

What are the Pros of Moving Into a Rented Home?

• You have flexibility in being able to move quickly and easily to where jobs are
• You are not fixed into staying in an area of the country or town that you do not like
• There are no big deposits to find as there are when buying a property
• You are not responsible for the maintenance costs of the property
• You don’t have to worry about interest rates and therefore spiraling mortgage payments
• There are no concerns over whether property prices are rising or falling
• Renting allows you to get to know an area before deciding to purchase there
• Selling a property, then renting a home, may release equity for a major purchase or retirement
• You can build or rebuild your credit rating whilst renting
• Renting is cheaper than owning a home, so any spare cash you have can be saved. You may get a better return by investing that money rather than risking if the housing market will rise or fall.

What are the Cons of Moving Into a Rented Home?

• You will not own the property so you will not gain from any rises in equity
• Your rent may increase year on year whereas it would not with a fixed-rate mortgage
• Even if you love the home you rent there is no guarantee the lease will be renewed by the homeowner
• Not all landlords will allow you to redecorate or allow changes to make the place feel like your home

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Into a Rented Home

What are the Different Types of Rental Agreement?

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) – The main points of this agreement are:

• Usually a fixed-term lease of 6 months or 12 months.
• Unless you agree, the landlord cannot raise the rent during this time period.
• The deposit you pay must be protected by a TDP (see the section below)
• The lease becomes periodic at the end of 6 or 12 months, meaning that a new lease does not have to be signed, but becomes a rolling monthly contract with the same rent.
• If the landlord lives in the rented property you cannot have an AST
• If the property you are renting will not be your main home.

Non-Assured Shorthold Tenancy – The main points of this agreement are:

• If your main home is not the property you are renting.
• The landlord lives in the same property.
• Your deposit does not have to be paid into the TDP.

Do I have to pay a deposit when renting a property?

• There is no legal set sum that a landlord can charge for a deposit on a rental property, but it is usually one or two months’ rent.
• The deposit must be held in one of the government tenancy deposit schemes (TDP) which are: the Deposit Protection Service, The Dispute Service, or MyDeposits.
• The landlord must provide you with a certificate for your deposit within 30 days of you paying it.

Find out more about TDS at www.tenancydepositscheme.com

Do you have to pay the first month’s rent when moving in?

• Usually, the landlord will ask you to pay a month’s rent in advance, which is in addition to the deposit you will be expected to pay. So if you pay the rent on the day you move in, say on the 1^st of the month, that payment takes you up to the 1^st of the following month, and so on.
• Therefore when you give notice to leave, or your tenancy agreement finishes, you will not need to pay for the last month’s rent.
• You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan to help you pay your rent upfront if you have been on certain benefits for at least 6 months. To see what the criteria is to qualify for such a loan visit www.gov.uk
• Some local councils, housing associations, and charities also offer financial support. Use this tool to find the contact details for the council in the area you wish to move to www.gov.uk

What documents do I need to rent a property?

• Proof of Identity. Photographic ID will be required such as a driving licence or passport.
• Proof of your right to rent. If you are from outside the UK you will be asked for your passport or immigration documents to prove that you are legally entitled to be in the UK. British citizens without a passport will need to provide their birth certificate and another form of ID usually. This also applied to anyone over the age of 18 who will be staying at the property.
• Proof of employment. A contract of employment is the usual requirement. A letter from your employer confirming that you work for them and how long you have done so is sometimes required.
• Proof of Income. At least the last 3 months of payslips or bank statements will be required.
• Self Employed Income. Those that are self-employed may be asked to provide bank statements or accounts
• Proof of benefits. If you are on benefits then you will need to provide proof of the payments you are receiving.
• References. The contact details of previous landlords in the last 3 years. If it is your first time renting the landlord may ask for the contact details of your parents or guardian.
• Guarantor. If it is your first time renting a property or the landlord has concerns over your ability to pay the rent they may ask for a guarantor. In such cases, you will be asked to provide their details.

What documents must the landlord provide?

• A Gas Safety Certificate if gas is supplied to the property. This must be renewed annually.
• Electrical Safety Certificate. This is a safety certificate for any electrical appliances and is usually valid for 5 years.
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Note that from 2018 only properties with an EPC rating of E or higher can legally be let.
• Deposit Receipt and documentation. Keep this safe by scanning it and saving it electronically as well as in hard copy form, you will need this at the end of your tenancy.
• Emergency contact details. The landlord must provide you legally with their contact details which must include name, address, and telephone number, for contact in case of an emergency.

What bills do you have to pay when renting a house?

• 

  Council tax.

• Utility bills such as gas, electricity, and water.
• Household bills such as TV license, internet or TV packages.
• Home contents Insurance.
• You may be expected to pay service charges for the property such as cleaning or gardening, so check your tenancy agreement.

Does The Landlord Have to Clean Before I Move in?

It is common practice that the property you move into is safe, in a state of good repair, and is clean. However, should that not be the case you should adopt the following procedure:

• Do not sign the inventory or pre-inspection checklist unless the issues you have identified are clearly stated.
• Photograph everything that you have an issue with. Make sure the photos are date and time-stamped.
• Let your landlord or letting agent know as soon as possible that you are unhappy with the condition of your new home. State facts, back this up with photographic evidence, and set a reasonable timeframe for the remedial work to carried out. Be sure to back up any verbal communication you have in writing via email so that you have proof, and as confirmation, should you need it.
• Be sure to take before and after photographs if you decide to clean the property yourself.
• Retain any receipts for cleaning products and or any remedial work you have carried out.

NOTE: Any works carried out on the property must be authorised by the letting agent or landlord first, and be sure to get that authorisation in writing.

How to Set a Budget for Renting a Home

Before you set your heart on renting that perfect quayside apartment you should find out if you can afford to live there. Especially if you are renting a home for the first time, you should work out what it will cost you to live in that property or area, and what would be a realistic budget range for you to look at properties within.

So to work out your budget you will need to take your outgoings away from your income. Consider the following bills and other outgoings that you will incur when renting your own place. Always overestimate what these things will cost you just to be on the safe side.

• Deposit for the property
• The first month’s rent
• Letting agent fees (shop around as letting agent fees can vary enormously)
• Charges for communal area cleaning and maintenance
• Lift charges

• Utility bills such as gas, water, and electricity (ask the landlord or letting agent what the average bills were for the last tenants)

• Wood or coal if there solid fuel heating, or oil if it is oil-fired heating
• Council tax
• TV licence
• Contents insurance
• Car insurance, tax, fuel, maintenance
• Internet, phone, and TV
• Food
• Clothing
• Cleaning materials
• Entertainment
• Memberships of gyms or clubs
• Parking charges
• Public transport tickets
• Existing loans or credit cards
• Moving costs such as a removal company or van hire
• Don’t forget to take into consideration if the property is furnished or not, and what cooking utensils or crockery, for example, is included.
• You will also need to take into account one-off expenses like buying towels and sheets.
• Bear in mind also that your first months’ shop will include things like having to buy condiments and food staples, as well as a large quantity of cleaning products to fill the store cupboard with as you will be starting from scratch.

A rule of thumb is that your rent should not exceed a third of your monthly income.

Here are some useful websites to help you determine some of your outgoings:

• Council tax in England & Wales: www.gov.uk
• Council tax in Scotland: www.saa.gov.uk
• Council tax in Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk
• Costs and information about your TV license: www.tvlicensing.co.uk
• You may be eligible for financial help from your local council: www.gov.uk
• You could also be eligible for financial help from certain other organisations: www.crisis.org.uk

You may also like to know how to set a home moving budget

How to Rent a Property Checklist

If you are renting a home then there are many things that you need to consider about the property, the area it is in, if the property fits your needs, and if it makes financial sense to move there.

The following checklists will help you make an informed decision and hopefully stop you from making an unsound financial decision or renting a property that is unsuitable for you.

Rental Property Location Checklist

Firstly take into consideration where the property is located. This checklist will help you to identify if the property meets your needs in terms of location and accessibility to places that you go to regularly. Equally, the surrounding properties will give you an idea of the type of area you are considering moving into, look for graffiti, vandalism, neglect, well-kept gardens, and well-maintained properties.

• How far is the property from your work, train station, schools, shops, or the gym for example?
• What is the local public transport like?
• Is the property in a quiet or noisy area?
• Do some walk-bys at different times of the day and evening to see how quiet the neighbourhood is and what parking is like in the area.
• Are neigbouring properties well maintained?
• Are there lots of graffiti or general signs of neglect of the local area?
• If you need to walk home in the dark is there good street lighting?
• Is the local area well covered by CCTV?
• Does the area ‘feel’ safe when you visit of an evening?
• Are there allocated parking spaces, or what times are there free on-street parking? Is parking a problem?
• How safe is the area to live in? Check out www.police.uk to find out the local crime figures.
• What are the local schools like? Compare local schools in the area at www.compare-school-preformance.service.gov.uk
• Are there local parks that you can walk your dog in?
• What is the council tax for that area?

Rental Property Exterior Checklist

Once you have decided that the location meets all your needs, then it is time to start viewing some properties. This checklist will help you decide if you want to proceed with viewing the property internally.

• Is the property in a state of good repair?
• Do the guttering or downpipes leak? This could cause damp in the home
• Are there visible burglar deterrents like an alarm system?
• Are there external lights and do they work?
• Are the windows and doors well insulated? This will help save on heating costs.
• Are the external door locks of good quality?
• Are there out-buildings like a garage or shed? If so are they in good condition and well secured?
• Is there a garden, or communal garden area? Who is responsible for maintenance?
• Is the garden secure if you have kids or pets?
• Was the communal entrance secure when you arrived?
• Are communal areas, like stairwells or lifts, well maintained?
• Do the lights work in the lift or stairwells?
• Is the oil tank secure and in a good state of repair if the property is oil fired?
• Are the storage areas for wood and coal secure and waterproof if the property is heated by solid fuel?

Rental Property Interior Checklist

• What condition are the carpets, curtains, and furniture in?
• Is there sufficient storage space for you?
• Are there enough electrical sockets for your needs? Check that they all work.
• How good is the internet connection?
• Is the property child or pet-friendly?
• What type of boiler/heating system is there and does it work?
• If the property has solid fuel appliances is there a carbon monoxide alarm? Legally there should be.
• Do all the lights work?
• What appliances are in the property and do they all work?
• Are there any signs of damp or mold?
• Does any of the plumbing leak?
• Are there smoke detectors and alarms on each floor? Legally there must be.
• If there are cooking pots and pans provided are they in good condition and enough for your needs?
• If crockery, glasses, and utensils are supplied, are they sufficient for your needs?
• Is there a vacuum cleaner and does it work?

GOOD IDEA: Photograph everything (make sure the date and time stamp is on) when you move into a rented property so that you have evidence of the condition of the fixtures and fittings. This may prove useful when it comes to getting your deposit back.

You may also like to have these home moving checklists which will make your home move so much easier.

39 Questions to ask when renting a house for the first time

Before renting a home for the first time it makes sense to make a checklist of the things you need to do and the questions you need to ask and have answered. It would be a good idea to have all your questions emailed to your landlord or letting agent so that you have a written response, that way there can be no confusion at a later date.

Here is a list of questions that you may want to ask your prospective landlord, and of course there will be things you may want to add to this list.

• How much is the deposit?
• Under what circumstances would the deposit not be returned?
• How much are the agency letting fees?
• Which utility bills am I responsible for?
• How much are the utilities?
• Are there communal area or maintenance fees?
• What date is the rent due?
• What method of payment do you accept for the rent?
• How long is the lease for?
• How do I extend the lease at the end of the agreement?
• Does the lease have a break agreement?
• What happens if a flatmate wants to move out before the end of the lease?
• What is your policy on subletting?
• What is your guest policy?
• What appliances are included in the property?
• Is the property furnished?
• What is included in the inventory?
• Is there an allocated parking space?
• Can I redecorate?
• How do I report a problem with an appliance?
• How do I report a maintenance problem?
• Who is responsible for paying for any repairs?
• What bills am I responsible for?
• Are there any additional fees that I need to know about?
• Are all the safety certificates in place and in date?
• Will the property be cleaned before I move in?
• Who do I contact if there is an emergency with the property?
• Are pets allowed?
• Are children allowed?
• Are there any rules I should know about?
• What is your application and screening process?
• When will the property be available for rent?
• What are the penalties if I pay the rent late?
• How much notice do you give before a property inspection?
• Has the property ever been flooded?
• Has the property ever been broken into?
• Will all the locks be changed when the current tenant moves out?
• Will the alarm code be changed when the present tenant moves out?
• Is there a fire escape plan for the building?

How to Move into a Rented House

Moving home is never an easy task and requires some careful planning to ensure it goes as stress-free as possible. How you move home will depend on the number of items you need to move and the distance involved.

And remember that the number one tip for saving money on your home move is to move as few items as possible.

Must read: The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering Before a Home Move

Move Yourself: A full DIY move is a big undertaking, so you should consider if you the physical ability, skills, and time to pack, load, transport, and unload all your belongings yourself.

Useful information: Moving Yourself vs Hiring a Removal Company

Pack yourself, and hire loaders and transport: You will need to decide whether you have the time and skills required to pack your own belongings. Bear in mind that packing is probably one of the worst aspects of moving home, and hiring a good packing company can save you an immense amount of time and inconvenience.

You may like to read: Are Packing Services Worth the Cost?

Hire a Full Service Removal Company: The safest and easiest home moves are when you hire the services of a reputable removal company to take care of every aspect of your home move.

Good to know: What Can You Expect When Hiring a Removal Company

Must do: Get a free estimate for your home move

Moving into a Rented Property Before Selling or Buying

Many people choose to rent a property in an area before committing to buy there. Equally, for one reason or another, such as a house chain break, people look to rent until the property they intend to buy becomes available.

Often it makes financial sense to rent a smaller property than the one you intend to buy.

When looking to rent, all the above advice will be applicable in such a situation, but you may decide that it makes sense to put most of your belongings into storage during this transition period.

You should choose a storage facility with the same diligence that would when choosing a removal company to ensure that the storage provided fits your needs and provides the level of protection and ideal storage conditions that your household goods require.

Must read: How to Choose a Storage Unit

There are some related articles to renting a home or moving out of home for the first time which you may find useful:

• Everything you Need to Know About Moving to College
• How to Downsize Your Home and Keep a Smile on Your Face
• How to Get Help With Moving Costs
• How to Move Out of Your Parents Home
• Moving Out for The First Time
• Where to Get Free Stuff When You Move Home

Have a safe home move and good luck in your new home.

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