When it comes to renting a property it is important that you get things right, after all it will still be your home and you want to be as comfortable and assured in that home as possible. Renting for the first time can be daunting, you may not know what to expect or what does or does not come with your rental. As a prospective tenant one of the most important things you can do if you are unsure about anything to do with your rental is to ask questions. In fact, there are some questions that you should always ask or have the answers to. Here is a helpful guide with questions you need answering before you rent your next property.
How much is the deposit?
You will be required to leave a deposit on the rental property and this property should be securely held. You will be entitled to this deposit back providing you keep the property to the standard at which you rented it. There are rules regarding how much deposit can be requested at the start of a tenancy. Depending on the annual value of the rent the deposit should be no more than 5 or 6 weeks rent.
Are there any associated fees?
The rules and regulations regarding charging tenants fees changed in 2019. As a result there are very few permitted fees that are allowed. It is important to note that viewing fees and tenancy set-up fees are now banned so be sure to ask for all the information in regards to the fees you are expected to pay and what they are for.
Have all the legal requirements been met?
A landlord has a legal duty when renting out a property and you should not undertake any tenancy agreement unless all of these duties have been fulfilled. There are a number of companies such as PropCert that can assist landlords with the requirements so do not be afraid to ask for copies or sight of the appropriate certificates. Below is a list of some of the requirements your landlord is expected to adhere to;
- Gas safety check.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Electrical safety standards inspection report
- Tenancy deposit scheme
Household rules
Some landlords will invoke certain rules that they expect tenants to adhere to, which can be included within the rental agreement. It is important that you are fully aware of all of the rules and stipulations regarding your tenancy. Some of these might include;
- Prohibition of smoking
- No pets.
- No caravans.
- Rules on keeping bikes.
- Responsibility for dealing with refuse and recycling.
- Responsibility for meter readings.
Tenancy duration
As your rental will be your home you will want to know the length of time you can spend in that property. It is important that you have all the details regarding the length of the tenancy, notice periods, right to extend the tenancy and the rules regarding termination of the tenancy by either yourself or the landlord.
