Advice for tenants in todays rental market Courtesy of Stuarts Homes
1. Call from Rightmove, in busy periods Rightmove email enquiries may not be responded to immediately - Phone calls are answered straight away here at Stuarts!
2. Ask questions at the viewing: What is the EPC rating? What is the council tax band? Has the agent rented this property before? When is the property available? Are there any bills included? What do I need to do if I want to go ahead with the property? Are there any fees? - all good questions, worth noting down for your next viewing!
3. Research the letting agent - do they have good reviews? How long have they been going for? Do you know anyone that may have used them?
4. Read your tenancy agreement - most agreements are pretty standard but you must read the whole contract before signing anything! Once signed by yourself and countersigned by your landlord or agent you have entered in to a legally binding contract - so you need to know what you are signing up for.
5. Certifications - As a tenant you should have copies of the Gas Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Certificate and Energy Performance Certificate. Check your files and make sure you have these and that they are in date!
6. Know what you are responsible for, As a tenant, you are responsible for looking after your home, reporting repairs or damp and letting the landlord or contractors in to inspect the property or fix problems.
✅Looking after your home
✅Keeping gardens or outside areas in a reasonable state
✅Making sure your home is well ventilated to help avoid condensation
✅Small jobs likes changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries (Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985)
You'll be in safe hands with Stuarts Homes.