NationStates Jolt Archive

Right so I got my application to live in Halls a second year rejected and so I come to the people of NSG for advice. I'll be househunting and it'll be my first time. It'll definately be renting a place and I've already got some people interested in living with me.

However what should I look out for when dealing with agents and landlords. Any tricks I should be aware of and such?

just check the place out, ask what bills are included if going "all bill inclusive" cos they always put some in small print that are not included, and read the contract! Check liability if house mates don't pay there share of rent, (it varies from you responsible for any dept in rent no matter who fault to your only liability for the portion you don't pay) read the contract, and get everything in writting that landlord said if it not in the contract. keep all proofs of payments, trust us on this read the contract

hope this is helpful

well I would be able to give you more advice if you were buying dont know much about renting but I would just say; dont let them rush you, a good estate agent/landlord will try to get you to move in ASAP but they wont try and pressure you into doing it. Also I would ask to see copies of everything - safety inspection reports, maintenance logs etc etc. And definitely get a copy of the tenancy agreement and read it over before you sign it.

All very basic common sense things I know but you would be amazed at what you can forget in the heat of the moment lol.

My only advice is to get Renter's Insurance.

It's pretty cheap, and if something CRAZY happens, you'll be mighty glad you got it.

You could split the cost evenly between you and your roomate(s), but I'm not entirely certain if that will alter the cost or terms of the policy. Shouldn't be too much of an issue.

That's all I got. Good luck! :)

House Hunting.
I'll be househunting and it'll be my first time.

Well, they're big and slow, so you can take your time, but you'll want to use a big gun...
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/Sarothai/mlrs.jpg

Right so I got my application to live in Halls a second year rejected and so I come to the people of NSG for advice. I'll be househunting and it'll be my first time. It'll definately be renting a place and I've already got some people interested in living with me.

However what should I look out for when dealing with agents and landlords. Any tricks I should be aware of and such?
My golden rule: NEVER EVER buy the first place you see. But, you have got to be quick or you will find that the place you wanted to rent out was taken by someone else. My advice is to keep a weekend free, book a few viewings over the Saturday and Sunday and make a decision on the Sunday afternoon, and tell your future landlord as soon as you've made that decision.

Watch out for landlords that don't give you all your deposit; the government requires landlords to put it in a government savings account throughout your tenancy and some use this as an excuse to change a non-refundable 'administration fee'. I have seen some as large as £50, which is pure dickery.

Oh, and be sure to ask about what parts of the contract are enforced and are not enforced in practice. For example, my agreement bans me from putting posters on the walls or doing any DIY, but my landlord made it clear that so long as the posters came down when we moved out and that any DIY was done properly, it's OK.

Also, check what internet access is avaliable and whether they will provide a router if there is no phone socket in the bedrooms.

Oh, and for anything else, check this (http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/advice/housing/).

I only got it done last week, although in Sheffield most people seem to get housing over and done with before Christmas, which seems more than a bit hasty. Good luck though!

http://www.yellowknife.ca/__shared/assets/Picture_of_Cardboard_box4144.bmp

?

Pay close attention to what is and what isn't included in the rent, particularly the maintenance of warm water and heating machinery.
Also, have a quick look into rent-law thats valid where you plan on living, and say no to any place where they try to do things illegal.

Get a rental agreement in writing and be sure to read it all and understand it. If there is any part of it you have questions about be sure to clarify the meaning with the landlord and even ask for clarification in the agreement before signing it.

Get rental insurance, as someone said it is cheap and worth it.

Also I would visit the electric/gas company and ask to see the records on the place in question. It will give you an idea of what it takes to heat/cool a place if you are responsible for those expenses.

Landlords will want you to be liable for the rent as a group, which is to say that if one person pulls out the rest of you have to make up their rent until you find someone new. You'll want to be liable individually, so that if someone drops out then it's the landlords problem.

You'll have to look around and, if you find the place you like but the landlord will only accept you as a group, decide whether or not the place is worth the risk.

Hope that makes sense...

Most things have already been covered here, so just to add:

The Landlord has to have all gas appliances checked annually by a Corgi registered engineer, so make sure he does.

The Landlord usually has the right to check on his property, but he cannot come inside without your permission, so make sure you are both clear on when any checks will be made.

Legally, you are liable for the council tax even if you are renting. If the Landlord says he is paying it, check with the council otherwise you could end up with a nasty bill.

Insure your own property - Endsleigh Insurance specialise in student insurances.

Well, they're big and slow, so you can take your time, but you'll want to use a big gun...
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/app4/m26-mlrs.jpg

There isn't a bigger gun than the hotlink prohibiter 2000...

I'm not clear on any UK specifics, but here is some general advice:

re: Landlord / contract

It's been said before but one cannot say it too often: read the contract. Read it all. Read it thoroughly. Ask for clarification on anything you're not 100% sure on. Get all and any agreements in writing. If at all possible, always take someone along - four eyes see more than two do.

Check the contract for things like "Are utilities included?" (if not, check what you'll be likely to end up with as extra cost - consult the companies providing the services if needed), "Are there restrictions as to pets/visitors/alterations?", "How long in advance do I have to let the landlord know that I want to move out again?"

Make sure you know who is responsible for finding a new tenant once you decide to move out.

Ask the landlord how you will be able to reach them, and which sorts of upkeeping responsibilities they'll provide. Also ask what you will need to do, and whether and in what form there will be checks (in other words, try to find out whether or not your landlord is a lazy-ass who'll let the tap dripping for two weeks without being bothered to reply to your messages on their answerphone, and whether or not you'll be gagged by a nosy landlord who spies on your every move lest they miss something to complain about)

Oh, and read the contract.

re: Housemates

It might sound awkward, but make sure to specify with everyone what their idea of cleanliness, appropriate inside volume, sharing of certain items, visitors/parties etc. is. You might be astounded of how much people you thought you knew might differ on these items.

Be sure to have every prospective tenant be liable for their own rent. This might sound a bit uptight now, but it's rather likely you'll be very very glad you did this later on.

re: The house itself

Check your traffic connections. If you have a car, make sure you'll be able to park it nearby. If you don't, thoroughly check the public transportation opportunities - how long will it take you to get to your favorite places? Don't forget to also check for late-night / weekend connections.

If possible, check heating and water. I haven't when I moved in where I live now, and I'm stuck with abysmal water pressure and a lottery-like experience regarding the functioning of the heating system and the water temperature.

Try to keep an ear out for possible noise. Do an environment/neighborhood check.

Make absolutely sure you don't see no mold and/or water stains.

If you plan on sharing the house/flat, find out how thin / hear-through the walls are.

Check out several places and don't just settle because the price seems right. If the price is low, make sure that you're getting a good deal, and that the neighbourhood is safe, the building is clean, even if old and worn; find out what you can about the neighbours. If you're a student, the last thing you need is rowdy neighbours.

As for the place itself... ideally a good apartment has concrete walls that stop sound. The floors are in good shape, the kitchen, bathroom and all essential rooms have a minimal level of modern-ness to them, ie: the facets don't look like they were your grandmother's, and your kitchen appliances are not going to cause issue nor be a fire hazard.

A building with a flexible policy regarding what goes on in your unit is always good. You don't want strict rules, lest you run afoul them without realising it.

It is worth it if you can to pay a hundred or so more if it means you get a solid unit, a good neighbourhood and a building that makes you feel safe.

You should also find a place that has utils covered in the rent, ie: water, electricity.

For example, we pay $1160/month (Canadian) for our 1 bedroom apartment. The kitchen is tiny, our bathroom is a closet but we have a good bedroom, huge living room, our appliances are new, we have our utils covered with our rent. We live within 3 blocks of one of the biggest police units in the city, our building is very clean and we can easily get our broken facets and appliances fixed, often same day. We have our laundry machine on our floor, and a garbage chute, as well as under ground parking.

If we paid less ($100 less) and lived in the building next to us, we would still get utils and underground parking but we would lose out on a well-maintained building, a super who is hard to reach, no laundry room on our floor, no garbage chute, and extra rules that don't exist in this building...

Basically, don't take the first piece of crap you find. Check out everything.

If you can, sublet. Most buildings will have you sign a contract that binds you for at least a year.

Once you have all that, you should get basic home insurance. Even though you live in an apartment, you still need that insurance, even if it seems stupid to take flood insurance because you live on the 8th floor.

Location is king. Don't be tempted by roomier/ more modern places that are out of the way because you have no idea how much hassle that will be.

always, always check the place out first. always read the lease documents fully making note of your responsibilities and liabilities. if the rent is to be payed in one bulk sum (rather than individually by each flatmate) make sure you're all in agreement over who pays it and when they should expect to be given the money by all prior to rent being payed and the division of rent if the rooms are dissimilar sizes. same goes for bills.

things to look for in a place:

double glazing and carpets - these will lower your heating costs in the winter. also, basement/ground floor flat are less easy to keep warm cuz they don't get heat from lower flats.

a decent sized communal living space - an undersized living room or none at all make for a pretty shitty living environment.

a properly ventilated kitchen with enough storage pace for all and decent work area - the last two places i've stayed in have had tiny, windowless kitchens with minimal cupboard and surface space. thoroughly unpleasant for preparing any kind of meal in. also, i look for gas hobs for preference.

if you have a lot of stuff make sure there is decent storage space communaly and within bedrooms.

for security and to avoid noise from roads avoid basement and ground floor flats.

flats are easier and cheaper to maintain and clean than houses.

if you are renting from or through an agency make sure they are an approved member of a profesional association of letting agents. two most common are ARLA and UKALA i think. if renting direct from a private landlord make sure to meet them so you can judge if they are trustworthy and reasonable.

and finally, always check the inventory against the actual contents of the flat. same goes for any documents describing the general condition of the flat. you will probably have to sign these as well as the lease before moving in.

Universities usually have lists available from their accommodation services of 'approved landlords' etc - basically these are just landlords that they know are trustworthy and whose properties are safe to live in, on the most basic level. The properties on the list are all inspected yearly by the University as well so you know that there shouldnt be any problem, also universities will usually offer to mediate in disputes between you and your landlord if they are on their lists.

Another sign of a good building complex is the landlord has the apartment cleaned up for you, ie: the floors are redone; varnished before you move in, the walls are repainted and the cabinets are clean. We had this luxury when moving in, and it makes for a great start because you don't feel like you're stuck in a dingy place.

Everything about what to look for and how to deal with landlords is pretty complete.

I only saw one reference to how to deal with housemates. Even if they're friends, get an agreement in writing with them. You need to cover money, cleanliness, "special" friends, noise, use of your and their possessions, food and cooking and a lot more. Without an agreement, you could jeopardize a friendship.

Houses are very large and shy creatures, you should probably isolate the house that you like and separate it from it's herd. Make sure it's not a small house, or it's mother will most likely attack you. Also large houses will be very difficult to tackle. After isolating the house from it's herd stalk it and move in for the kill. Shoot it and slit the house's throat to make sure it's dead. Make sure you have a BIG gun, for example I like to use this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/tr/f/f7/Vulcanraven.jpg

Houses are very large and shy creatures, you should probably isolate the house that you like and separate it from it's herd. Make sure it's not a small house, or it's mother will most likely attack you. Also large houses will be very difficult to tackle. After isolating the house from it's herd stalk it and move in for the kill. Shoot it and slit the house's throat to make sure it's dead. Make sure you have a BIG gun, for example I like to use this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/tr/f/f7/Vulcanraven.jpg

I beat you to it, even if my link did break...
Well, they're big and slow, so you can take your time, but you'll want to use a big gun...
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff315/Sarothai/mlrs.jpg

Everything about what to look for and how to deal with landlords is pretty complete.

I only saw one reference to how to deal with housemates. Even if they're friends, get an agreement in writing with them. You need to cover money, cleanliness, "special" friends, noise, use of your and their possessions, food and cooking and a lot more. Without an agreement, you could jeopardize a friendship.

To add to what has already been said:

Take Video and Still pictures of the property. Note any signs of water leakage or any other type of problem. Note the presence or absence of appliances and furnishings, including curtains, house numbers, everything. Compare and contrast this information with any inventory report that the landlord may have (so as to avoid getting stuck with a bill for curtains that weren't even there when you moved in - personal experience).

Oh...even though others have harped on it...READ THE F'N CONTRACT !!!!

To add to what has already been said:

Take Video and Still pictures of the property. Note any signs of water leakage or any other type of problem. Note the presence or absence of appliances and furnishings, including curtains, house numbers, everything. Compare and contrast this information with any inventory report that the landlord may have (so as to avoid getting stuck with a bill for curtains that weren't even there when you moved in - personal experience).

Oh...even though others have harped on it...READ THE F'N CONTRACT !!!!

your name made me lol.

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate the help. With housemates I'll most likely be living with people I lived with this year so we all know each other well enough. In the area where we'll most likely be looking we'll have excellent transport links to major entertainment centres and shopping facilities.

I've been talking to the University Student services and friends who lived off campus before. Both have told me the majority of landlords in the area are trutstworthy. The university itself gave a list of the best landlords in the area. On average the rent itself is lower than on campus but only on average. I'll need to go into deeper detail to find what kind of extra costs the landlord would want us to pay.

I beat you to it, even if my link did break...

Ah, Dammit...:(

*goes into a corner*

move in with mom and dad so you can steal all the liquor that they need to endure modern life :)

or:

http://www.videojug.com/tag/renting-a-property

edit: git you have me looking now :mad: