The first step is to contact local letting agents in your chosen area and register on their rental database. You could visit their office, you could use their website registration or go via their properties on Rightmove. Make sure that you are clear about what you want especially the number of bedrooms and your budget. Then make sure you stay contactable because desirable rental properties go quickly. If you have been served notice by your current landlord, be sure to tell the agent and give them the latest date you need to move out.
Sit down with a pen and paper and describe your ideal property. Most importantly, be strict with what you do and don’t want, and what you consider to be a deal breaker. Don’t compromise on those deal breakers or you’ll come to regret it. Budget should be a key factor in your property search. Don’t overstretch yourself financially, make sure you take into account all other costs involved, including bills, council tax, moving costs, agency fees etc. Your take home pay (of all contract holders combined) should be at least 2.5x your proposed monthly rent, otherwise you may not pass referencing on your income level.
An assured shorthold occupation contract is issued for either 6 or 12 months. However, if you’re waiting for the purchase of a property to go through or you’re relocating for work for a short time, you may want to consider a short let. Periods available can be anything from a month to 5 months however the rent you’ll pay for these lets can be significantly higher as a result.
Once you’ve found a property you like you should put down a holding payment. This will secure the property and the agent will not arrange any more viewings. When your offer is accepted this money will form part of the initial rent or your deposit or perhaps be set against the agency charges. If you pull out, you would lose the money but if the landlord cannot or will not let the property out to you the deposit will be returned.
Once you have placed your holding deposit, you will be required to undergo reference checks to confirm your identity, your place of work and your earnings, and to confirm that you do not have any adverse credit. You will also be verified as permitted to reside in the UK and are not subject to any immigration controls. You should declare if you have any unsatisfied CCJ or bankruptcies as this may jeopardise your application. You will be asked to provide a photographic ID together with evidence of Right to Rent in the UK, your earnings and your current address.
If you are on a low income or want to live in a more expensive property you may need a guarantor. A guarantor is ideally someone who should have a clean credit history, a homeowner and/or be in full time employment with take home earnings of a minimum of 3x monthly rent. The guarantor should understand their obligations as they will be asked to sign a legally binding document agreeing to certain conditions which will include paying the rent if for any reason you are unable to meet your commitment.
The occupation contract will be the legal document that details your rights and obligations as a contract holder, the obligations and expectations of your landlord, and the agreement made by all parties it will set out the core terms and will include all the rules of the property.
You should make sure your agent or landlord gives you a copy of the draft occupation contract well ahead of the start date of occupation contract for you to read in the comfort of your own home and you should ensure you do this so you are clear as to what you are signing. If you are not sure of anything contained in the agreement, ask the agent for clarification, seek legal advice or get help from citizen advice.
Before you move in, you will need to pay a security deposit along with your first months rent. Your security deposit (also known as a bond) is there to indemnify the landlord against loss of rent or to pay for any damage if you were found to be responsible for causing it. In general, the amount required is equivalent to one months rent. By law this must be protected in a Government approved deposit scheme within 30 days from the start of the tenancy The Landlord or his Agent is required by law to give you “Prescribed Information” with details of the relevant scheme.
