13 million people in the UK rent from a private landlord – that’s 1 in every 5 of us. Nearly half of people aged 25-34 are renting properties, so competition in the industry is high and tenants are ever-more desperate to rush into tenancy agreements without taking the necessary measures beforehand.
With millions of tenants desperate to sign contracts and rent their own property, people are making the same costly renting mistakes.
We have compiled a list of the top five renting mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Taking Pictures After Moving in
As soon as you move in, it is important to take pictures of the current state of the property so that you cannot be accused of damaging something that was already damaged. Send pictures of any damaged furniture, walls or flooring to your landlord or lettings agent and attach your signature with a date. This will ensure that as long as you keep the property in good condition, you will receive your deposit back.
2. Not Checking out the Local Neighbourhood
When you rent a property, you are not just signing up for the house you live in, but also the surrounding neighbourhood too.
You can research schools in the area and assess the quality, discover what shops and restaurants are nearby and find out what the crime rate is for the neighbourhood.
It is best to research the area you’re going to be living in and ensure that it is a safe and suitable location for you.
3. Not Reading the Tenancy Agreement
Although a tenancy agreement can be long, it is worth reading through it all before committing to a property. A lot of UK tenants assume that all rental contracts are more or less the same document, however this is a big misunderstanding. Each landlord has different requirements, some of which you may not agree with. It is best to read through the document before to ensure that you are happy with the requirements.
4. Not Viewing the Property
Attending a house viewing allows you to observe your potential future home in person, without any sneaky angles, editing or photo manipulating.
House viewings help you gain a feel for the home which guides you towards a more informed decision.
5. Not Taking Your Housemate for Viewings
The property sector is a fast paced industry and houses get sold quickly. Save time and take your housemate / partner with you to the first viewing so that you can come to your decision quicker.
Are you looking for experienced property experts in the Norfolk area? Watsonscan provide a wide range of high quality property management services from fully managed letting to building repairs and maintenance. Contact us for additional information.
