50+ Renting Tips
Rental rights, energy tips, letting fees & more
People in over a third of households in England and Wales are now renting, and it can be mega-costly. We've 50+ tips to help you rent a home cheaply and safely.
Huge thanks to Crosse + Crosse Solicitors, Clarke Mairs LLP & all forumites who suggested tips. This guide has been written with English and Welsh law in mind, though much of it will apply to Scotland and NI. See the Scottish Government & NI Direct sites for more.
Ensure you've got contents cover from as soon as you move in
If you rent, your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance, so you should only be getting contents cover (essentially, it's for stuff that'd fall if you turned your home upside down).
As buildings insurance generally covers the building itself (unsurprisingly), this is usually the property owner's responsibility. Generally, this means you're unlikely to need building insurance if you're renting. There may be exceptions (eg, if the contract says you need buildings insurance) - check with your landlord if unsure.
How to get the cheapest contents cover will vary depending on whether you're housesharing or not. In a nutshell...
If only you or your family live in the house:
To find the cheapest cover, combine comparison sites Confused.com* and Compare The Market* to bag the max quotes in the minimum time, then Aviva* and Direct Line*, which they miss. Better still, try the full Cheap Home Insurance guide, where some get PAID for cover.
If you're in a houseshare:
Getting cover from mainstream insurers can be tricky (a locked room helps, so ask for one). Comparison sites Confused.com*, Gocompare*, MoneySupermarket* and Compare The Market* say they provide flatshare quotes, but double-check the policy allows it - comparison sites are very flaky on this. You may find a specialist such as Home Protect* or a local broker via BIBA easier.
If you're in a houseshare, always let your insurers know you live with others and not on your own, otherwise you could risk invalidating your insurance.
See the Home Insurance guide for the full cost-cutting technique.
Check that your deposit's protected
One in five private renters in England don't know if their deposit is protected, according to housing charity Shelter. If this is you, check NOW.
Under the law in England and Wales, if you've what's called an 'assured shorthold tenancy' that started on or after 6 April 2007, your landlord MUST put your deposit into one of these schemes within 30 days of getting it. (An 'assured shorthold tenancy' is the most common type of tenancy - if you're not a lodger or renting from a council, you've probably got one but you can double-check with Shelter's tenancy checker).
If your landlord doesn't protect your deposit, a court can order them to pay you a penalty of up to three times the deposit (though this is rare).
If your deposit is in one of these schemes, it means:
- you'll get the full deposit back at the end of the tenancy provided you've met the terms of the tenancy agreement
- if you agree with your landlord how much of the deposit you're due, it'll be returned to you within 10 days of the tenancy ending
- if you DON'T agree with your landlord, a free dispute resolution service will investigate and decide how much of the deposit should go to you and how much to your landlord.
Similar schemes apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland - see the Scottish Governmentand NI Direct websites for more.
Quick questions:
How can I check if my deposit's protected?
My deposit should be protected but isn't. What are my options?
Help! My landlord's withholding my deposit unfairly - what can I do?
What if I don't qualify for deposit protection?
If you feel your deposit's being unfairly witheld at the end of your tenancy, it's well worth fighting for. Here's one forumite's story to inspire you - see the Deposit Help forum discussion for more and see below for extra tips on getting your deposit back.
Fought tooth and nail to get deposit back. . . AND WON!!! Our tenancy ended 3 months ago. I have been fighting to get our deposit back. Today I received an email telling me they will release the full amount.So, there is hope for all of you who are in a similar situation. Just be persistent, be reasonable, and remain professional.- DJ MPH
Tricks to help ensure you get your deposit back
When it comes to checking your property at the end of your stay, landlords can develop better microscopic vision than Superman, but there are ways you can improve the chances of getting your deposit back.
To help stop them zapping your deposit, here are a few tips:
- Check your contract. Dig it out and give it another read. Does it say the carpets need to be deep cleaned, or that all picture hooks need to be removed and filled in? If so, make sure these are sorted.
- Patch up any damage. Fix it properly - covering up a hole in the wall with a picture may seem like a good idea at the time, but leaving it like this when you move out is practically asking for your deposit to be docked.
- Ensure nothing's missing or broken. Check the inventory thoroughly to make sure everything's as it should be, and replace or fix as needed.
- Take photos as proof you've left it in good order. These could be useful evidence later if a dispute arises over your deposit.
- Have a proper deep clean. Get a scrupulous friend or family member to check the place over to check there's nothing you've missed, and remove all rubbish. See theSave zillions on cleaning products forum thread for tips to help.
If your tenancy agreement states you must get the property professionally cleaned, you may have to provide receipts to prove you've done it, though whether this may be an unfair contract term is a grey area.
But if it states you need to have it cleaned to a professional standard, you could do this carefully yourself and take photos as proof. Here are a few handy tips from our forumites to help:
Bicarb of soda, soda crystals, vinegar, newspaper and Oven Pride are pretty much all anyone needs to clean a house. I've always got the deposit back and have never spent more than £5 and 1/2 a day.- Mrsbmartin
Sugar soap removes emulsioned wall scuffs that no other cleaning product shifts without taking paint too. Wipe gently, don't rub.- Fire Fox
Lie on your back in the middle of each room, you would not believe the snagging found just looking from a different angle. It works!- Whalster
Save £100s switching energy even if you rent
If you rent, you could save £100s every year by switching. You don't need to own the property to do it, so don't just stick with the previous tenant's gas or electricity firm.
Even if your tenancy agreement says you can't switch, the energy regulator Ofgem says you shouldn't be unreasonably prevented. The exception is if you pay via your landlord for any bills (ie, as part of the rent).
You can still compare even if you don't have previous bills from your new digs. Just tell our Cheap Energy Club some info about the new rental, and if you're a high, medium or low user. It'll show the cheapest tariff for you and give up to £30 cashback.
If you're worried because your landlord says you can't switch, we've designed a factsheet to give to landlords to help explain the situation to them. Please tell us if it helps you switch.
If you're worried because your landlord says you can't switch, we've designed a factsheet to give to landlords to help explain the situation to them. Please tell us if it helps you switch.
Preventing a tenant from changing energy suppliers may be viewed as an unfair term in a tenancy agreement. Talk to Citizens Advice to see if it can help and see Renters: You Can Switch Too for more info.
You can still switch energy supplier even if you have a prepaid meter
This works in the same way as described above. Even if you rent and have a prepaid meter, you can still switch your supplier providing you pay the energy company directly (check your tenancy agreement too - though if it says you can't switch, challenge it).
If you want to change the meter itself (perhaps you're changing a prepaid to a credit meter), it's best to get written permission from your landlord first though.
This is because it could be seen as a changing the property from its original condition, unless you arrange to change the meter back at the end of the tenancy. The supplier may charge to do this, so check first. See the Cheap Prepaid Gas & Elec guide for more info.
Grab FREE sofas, beds, TVs, fridges and more
If you've gone for an unfurnished or part-furnished rental, this is a handy trick to help furnish your pad for nowt. Hundreds of top-quality goodies are available daily for free.
What's the catch? Well, there isn't one. Instead of dumping goods or eBaying them, people harness the web's power to offer them to their local communities. So as well as kitting up for nowt, the environment benefits as unwanted items aren't flung into landfills.
Of course, there is some moth-bitten tat out there. But there's also top-quality stuff people just don't use anymore. Bagging the best is all about the etiquette - you need to give stuff yourself and keep your eyes peeled.
Grab free apps to check rentals on-the-go
Rightmove's free iPhone and Android apps use GPS technology to pinpoint pads for rent near where you're standing, while Zoopla also has its own free apps for iPhone and Android. Just download the app to find a list of gaffs up for grabs near you.
Both are clear and simple to use - Rightmove's arguably has the edge for ease and slickness, though Zoopla's heat map also lets you see property values of the area you're in so you can assess likely rental prices at speed.
Forumites find these strangely addictive: "I check it when on a street I like. I get excited when they send me an email. I probably check it every 24 minutes"(Rightmove) and "I've not even considered moving and all of a sudden I keep looking! Can someone talk me out of this odd behaviour please?" (Zoopla). If you try one, please feed back.
Rent payments are scheduled to go on credit files
In March 2012 it was announced rent payments could appear on your Experian credit file by the end of that year, though this was delayed and still is as of October 2014. This means whether you're on time or late paying rent, it could start to affect your ability to get credit.
The potentially positive impact is that consistently punctual rent payments will appear, boosting your credit history. Here's the key info we know...
- You won't be linked to flatmates. Originally Experian planned to financially link flatmates who had a shared tenancy agreement. However, after pressure from MSE and our forum users, it changed its plan. See more in the Rent payments to go on your credit file news story.
- Who will this apply to? This won't be automatically in all contracts. Landlords must insert it. It's believed many 'amateur' landlords are unlikely to do it, certainly to begin with. For now, it'll only apply to private rentals.
- Why is Experian doing this? It will open up a new income stream for the credit reference agency, as soon landlords will be able to pay to search credit files before deciding to rent out a property to someone.
- Who can see what? Rent payments will soon sit on your credit file, in a separate section to mortgage, loan or credit card history. Landlords will be able to see rent-paying history to judge potential tenants, but not the rest.
Some landlords already check a list of those who often miss payments, but this will be the first full-scale sharing of rent payment data. Banks and other lenders will be able to see your complete history. See the news story for full details.
Warning - joint accounts with flatmates can affect your credit rating
Credit scoring is a system used by lenders to check how financially attractive you are to them, using your past actions to predict future behaviour. Yet if you're 'financially linked' to someone on any financial product, it can have an impact. Even a joint bills account with flat-sharers theoretically means you could be co-scored.
However while it's technically possible joint utility bills could be reported on credit files, current practice is not to do so. Similarly we've also confirmed being jointly named on a utility bill with a flatmate shouldn't mean you're jointly credit scored.
Bear in mind though that if there are two (or more) names on a utility bill and there's a default, it's likely to be reported on both (or all) credit records.
If you move out and away from flatmates who you had joint finances with, once the accounts are separated or no longer active, always write to the credit reference agencies and ask for a notice of 'disassociation', to stop their credit history affecting yours in future. See the Credit Scores guide for full help.
Your landlord should ask before entering
When you rent a property, you landlord may well need to come in from time to time for repairs, as well as to inspect the property (eg, to check you haven't turned a 'no pets' tenancy into an indoor farm).
If your landlord wants to inspect the property, they should give you notice and arrange a time with you first. Shelter says landlords need to give advance notice of at least 24 hours, although check your tenancy agreement as a different advance notice period may be specified there.
If your landlord or letting agent comes in without asking you, you've a right to ask them to stop. If they continue to enter without permission, this could be considered as harassment, and is a criminal offence. Contact Citizens Advice or a solicitor for help, or even the police if you feel threatened. See the Shelter website for more info.
Make sure you know where your stopcock is
Your mains water tap, or stopcock, is the off-switch for all the water in your home. Hopefully you'll never need to use it. But if you don't know where it is and a pipe bursts, you'll be powerless to stop it flooding your home.
If you don't know where yours is, check NOW. It could be under the kitchen sink, by the boiler, in the airing cupboard or elsewhere in the property. If you don't know where it is, ask your landlord to show you. See Martin's blog: Stopcock tips - can you find yours? One MoneySaver's tip:
Stopcocks should be turned a couple of times a year to minimise ‘seizing’ due to scale. Never open fully, or they’re more likely to jam.
Some homes also have an outside stop valve fitted. The Thames Water website has handy videos on how to find your inside stopcock and outside stopcock.
Vet the landlord
If a prospective landlord strikes you as unreliable or unreasonable (eg, they turn up an hour late), think twice. After all, it's easier to walk away now than be stuck with a landlord who won't carry out essential maintenance and repairs as needed - or worse.
- Renting direct from a landlord: Don't hand over any cash until you've got the landlord's full name and a contact address in the UK for them. If you're concerned, forumites also recommend checking they own the property via the Land Registry website (costs £3) - for more info, see the Check out your landlord discussion.
- Renting via a letting agent: This is a firm that rents out properties on behalf of the landlord. Check they're a member of a professional body such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents, National Approved Lettings Scheme, UK Association of Letting Agents or National Association of Estate Agents.
Check whether you need your own TV licence
If you rent, whether an entire property or a room in a shared property, you must be covered by a valid TV licence to watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV.
Usually you'll have to organise this yourself (or between yourselves if in a shared house). But speak to the landlord first, as they may already have a licence for the property. If you live in self-contained accommodation, such as a separate flat or annexe, you'll need your own separate licence.
If you’re a lodger and have a relationship with the homeowner (a family member, partner, nanny, au pair, housekeeper, etc), you'll be covered by the homeowner’s TV licence, provided you live in the same building.
But if you're a lodger and you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you'll need your own TV licence. For more info if you're renting, see TV Licensing.
Quick question:
I'm in shared accommodation, will one TV licence cover us all?
Max your interest if you're saving to buy a house
There's no shame in renting - and last year 36% of households in England and Wales did it. Yet if you're lusting to own, ALWAYS save for your deposit the right way to reach your goal sooner. In a nutshell...
First, see if you qualify for a top-interest paying current account, some of which give up to 5% at the time of writing - see Best Bank Accounts for more info. If you're willing to put in the legwork, max your savings further by following the steps in our 60-second guide on the 5% Savings Loophole.
If you've reached the in-credit limit on interest for your current account, go for a top-paying easy-access NISA (new ISA), which gives tax-free savings of up to £15,000 per tax year. See our Top Cash NISAs guide for the best accounts.
Once you've maxed your NISA limit, put the rest in a top savings account. Full best buys are in Top Savings.
Save 60%+ on rent - become a property guardian
Fancy living in a church, school or fire station? In return for babysitting empty premises to deter squatters, property guardian companies charge their ‘guardians’ as little as a third of local rents.
It typically works out at £250 a month, or £350 a month in London. This is a bargain, considering the average private monthly rent in England and Wales stands at £740 a month or £1,130 in London, according to property firm LSL.
Buildings include everything from monasteries to mansions, so you could end up living it up in a sprawling country pile for less than a flat.
What's the catch?
You need to be flexible - here are a few things to bear in mind.
- Guardians have fewer rights than tenants. You may have to up sticks at two weeks' notice. So this is good for those with flexibility, for example, people who can kip at their parents'. The firms usually try to find alternatives, but it's not guaranteed. Many guardians live in the same place for years though.
- There are fees involved. You must pay a deposit. It varies, but in London is typically £600, elsewhere £400. Most charge a £60ish admin fee when you sign up, plus you need to buy a fire safety pack (c. £60). Rents usually include bills and council tax.
- Accommodation can be basic (and eerie). Many places need work doing, so it's more suited to adventurous types. You often share with others, depending on the property size, but usually get your own room.
This forumite's story sums it up. If you've done it, please share your experience.
My boyfriend and I were guardians for a huge country estate for eight months. Good points were cheap rent and incredible location. Bad were limited security, and being at the mercy of the property owner.I liken the experience to camping, but in an old property. You have to be flexible and get on with the other guardians. But if you've no commitments, are not spooked by old properties, don't mind roughing it and want to save money, it's worth considering.- MissFox1973
The top property guardian companies
- Camelot. One of the most established guardian companies, Camelot manages thousands of properties across the UK and Europe.It currently has almost 1,000 spots available - you could live in a past hotel in Hertfordshire or a former school in Cheshire. The average London price is £350, elsewhere £240.
- Adhoc. With around 2,000 guardians across the UK, Adhoc is especially strong for Lancashire, the West Midlands, Yorkshire and Merseyside.The firm currently has over 70 buildings with spaces, including a vicarage in Lancashire and a church in Merseyside. Prices range from £150 to £500 per month. To be a guardian, you need to earn at least £18,000 a year.
Quick questions:
Who can do this?
What responsibilities do guardians have?
What do you need to register?
ALWAYS check letting agency fees
If you rent a property with a letting agent, always check for any extra fees or charges first, and factor 'em in. These can be huge and vary between agencies.
If a letting agent or private landlord isn't clearly listing its fees, you can complain to the ASA. It can take action to have problem ads removed or amended, though it can't give compensation.Shelter has an easy-to-use tool to help you report these, which it will pass on to the ASA. There's little other regulation over these charges in England, so always ask to see 'em upfront.
Shockingly, some of the fees reported to us include £120 for permission to buy a dog or £60 for photocopying a contract. @karenamy_1980 tweeted us: "My boyfriend and I rent and had to pay an additional £250 for our dog Tom, on top of the £900 deposit!"
An investigation by Shelter found renters are being hit by unfair fees of up to £700. It's campaigning to end these - see the Shelter site to sign its petition. You can always try and negotiate lower fees, though there are no guarantees, and ensure you get any reductions in writing.
You can also complain to an official body - such as the Property Ombudsman, the Association of Residential Letting Agents or the National Landlords Association - if you think you're being unfairly treated by a landlord or letting agent. This can be for a number of reasons, for example if the landlord isn't keeping appliances to a safe standard, not just unfair fees. Check which organisation your letting agent or landlord is registered with before you complain.
These organisations can look into disputes, but they don't have any real power to force landlords or letting agents into acting. You can also speak to your local authority for help, Citizens Advice or Shelter.
In Scotland, letting agency fees are illegal yet some agents still charge - click the dropdown below for help.
Key points:
Letting agency fees are illegal in Scotland
Letting agents can't charge you just for registering
Fees could include credit check charges, admin fees and more
Get your landlord's permission if planning to redecorate
When you rent a property, you generally need to return it in the same condition as you found it, though some unavoidable wear and tear should be allowed (think slight wearing of carpets, not destroyed furnishings).
Bear this in mind if you want to redecorate, as any changes will need to be put back. It sounds obvious, but the key point to remember is the property isn't yours. So you can't just put up shelves, for example, without permission. If you want to make permanent changes, it's best to get it written into the contract from the outset.
Otherwise, if you plan to repaint the walls a different colour or make any other changes, first get your landlord's permission in writing. Otherwise it's likely you'll need to paint them back to the original colour before you move.
Your landlord has responsibilities too
If you're renting your property, you're not responsible for everything and there are several things you landlord needs to take care of.
Full details of this will often be set out in your contract, but as a minimum it should include: organising and paying for buildings insurance, putting in fire alarms, checking plug sockets, making sure wiring and electricals are safe, getting a gas safety certificate, making sure furniture that's been provided has a fire safety certificate and generally maintaining the property to a safe and liveable standard.
If the landlord isn't doing any of the above, you can ask your local council'senvironmental health department for help. It must take action if problems can harm you or cause nuisance to others. If you live in Scotland, you should contact the Private Rented Housing Panel for help.
Try special picture strips instead of nails
Check your tenancy agreement before you get hammer-happy, as many won't let you put any holes in the walls to put up pictures. Yet there's a quick trick to help.
It's possible to get specially designed removable strips that promise to hold up pictures without damaging walls. To find them, ask at your local DIY store, or try searching for 'picture hanging strips' on Amazon's DIY & Tools* section or eBay*.
Forumites recommend Command Strips. They usually cost a few pounds for a pack of four, though other types may be available too.
Feedback is generally good, ranging from "used these in all three sizes and they have worked brilliantly" and "they're my new favourite product" to "if you're lucky they work well, but haven't found them reliable". If you've used them, please feed back.
Forumites also warn to check the pack for the weight limit they can take, and not to exceed this. Otherwise, you could wake to find your Mona Lisa broken on the lino.
Note down any flaws - and use 'em to haggle
Once you've found the place you want, don't think you always have to pay the asking price for the rent. Ask if they're open to reasonable offers, and put in a lower price that you think is reasonable. Don't forget, it's a negotiation - they don't have to accept, but it's well worth asking, particularly if you think it's overpriced.
A good way to help you get leverage here is to note down any flaws in the rental. For example, the carpets may be worn in patches, or the bathroom ceiling could do with repainting. Point this out, and ask if they'll take a lower price because of it. If not, see if you can get the repairs thrown in (always get this in writing with the contract).
See the How to Haggle guide for more tips to help. It's well worth a try:
Key 'dud rentals' checklist
While small issues such as a dripping tap or squeaky floorboard needn't be a deal-breaker, use this list to help you check the rental out when you visit. It's worth taking an eagle-eyed friend or family member to help. Ask the landlord to fix any problems before you move in.
Or if you can live with it, use it to help you haggle on the rent:
- Spot damp. Case the joint for wet spots, mould, peeling wallpaper and condensation. Does it smell musty?
- Look up at ceilings. Look for cracks, brown stains, slow drips and leaks.
- Flick switches. Turn lights on and off, especially with older switches.
- Inspect the plumbing. Flush toilets and turn taps on. Check cupboards underneath sinks are dry. Check water pressure and that it gets hot, and that the central heating's working properly.
- Locks are key. Ensure door locks are up to insurance standards. Some policies insist that front and back doors be fitted with a five lever mortice deadlock. Check windows for locks and the front door for break-in signs.
- Turn on your phone. Check for a signal to see it's not a mobile dead zone.
- Avoid kitchen nightmares. In the kitchen, mime preparing a dinner. Is there enough room? If white goods are included, check they're working.
- Take a compass. Check if estate agents' promises of a sunny south-facing garden are true.
- Pry next door. If renting a flat or terrace, alarm bells should ring if neighbours' properties are rundown. Their problems can quickly become yours. Listen for noise from neighbours and roads. If you can, try to get a second viewing at a different time of day.
Never, ever wire the money
Once you've found your dream gaff, alarm bells should ring if asked to pay rent or deposit by an instant money transfer service such as Western Union or MoneyGram. While you've no protection when you pay by bank transfer, at least these are usually traceable - which means banks or police could use this to help get your money back.
Instant money transfer payments cannot be traced at all in cases of fraud, so are highly popular with scammers. So if someone asks you to pay by MoneyGram or Western Union, be highly suspicious.
Never pay this way. Most landlords should be happy to take a bank transfer or cheque.
Protect your family from gas leaks
Sadly, thousands are affected each year by carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell. Yet there are simple steps to help protect your family.
Always ask for a copy of the gas safety record. By law, your landlord must provide you with this before you move in. If your landlord refuses, complain to the Health and Safety Executive - failure to follow gas safety requirements is a criminal offence.
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must do a gas safety check every 12 months to ensure gas appliances and fittings are safe, and keep these maintained. All checks must also be done by a qualified engineer that's on theGas Safe Register, the official gas registration body for the UK.
One forumite's experience is a case in point:
Just after we moved in, I had to call Transco in the middle of the night. We thought we had flu. We had carbon monoxide poisoning and were alive due to a faulty cat flap venting out most of the gas.- november
The system was condemned. It was a very lucky escape - it never occurred to me to check the gas certificate.
Ensure you've decent broadband download limits if flat-sharing
If you're in a flat-share and you know everyone will be downloading, make sure you've a decent download limit on your broadband package. Forget to do this and you may be stung with extra charges from a housemate's EastEnders catch-up marathon.
Be aware many contracts are 12 months, and some even longer. If you move out before the contract is up, you'll still have to pay for remaining months, unless you can change the name on the contract to someone who's still going to be living in the house (check with your provider).
See the Cheap Broadband guide for the full list of best buys, including unlimited and superfast broadband, plus how to work out how much data you'll need.
Get first dibs on properties on your favourite streets
NEVER sign a contract you aren't happy with
Once you get the contract, read it carefully before signing. Check it includes how much the deposit and rent are, when it's due, and what it covers (eg, council tax, utility bills, and other dos and don'ts, such as whether you're allowed to smoke or sublet).
Discuss points you disagree on, or don't understand, with the landlord or letting agent. If they agree to change it, don't just take their word. Ensure the contract's changed too so you've proof. Katy Rushworth from legal firm Clarke Mairs LLP told us:
"Tenancy agreements will often have things in there that simply do not apply to that particular property. They may have the wrong person stated as the landlord, wrong property address, refer to a garden that doesn't exist - the list goes on.
"There's no reason tenants should sign up to something they are not happy with. Equally, the agent is being paid to get these things right. So don't just accept 'it's the standard document' - who knows what the standard document relates to!"
One MoneySaver's experience is a reminder to check what you're signing up to:
Our letting agent went right over the top pasting rules into the contract. It tells us to clean the shower head for one hour in vinegar each week, after every shower we must use a towel and squeegee to clear all water from the cubicle to prevent drying marks, etc.- paddyrg
Take a meter reading when you arrive
It's easy to forget this when you've a tonne of unpacking to do, but do meter readings for your gas and electricity when you move in. This way, you can pass them on to the suppliers to ensure you aren't charged for energy that the previous occupants used.
It's also worth noting you should do a meter reading every time you get a bill. Don't rely on your energy provider's estimate; these are often way out. If they're under-billing, you'll have a big whack to pay at the end of the year. If they're over-billing, then they've unfairly got your cash.
If your direct debit is way off kilter, call up and ask for it to be changed. You've a range of rights to ensure it's correct. See the full Energy Direct Debits guide for help.
Squeeze 'em for info
Before you sign on the dotted line, ask as many questions as possible, and get important answers in writing. Even if they don't tell the truth, you may notice them squirming when you broach certain subjects.
Our top 10 rental questions to ask:
- How long is the contract? Are there scheduled rent increases?
- How long has it been up for rent?
- Can I see electrical, boiler and gas installation checks/reports?
- Is the deposit in a deposit protection scheme? Which one?
- Is maintenance of communal areas expected (eg, the garden)?
- Is it furnished, part or unfurnished? Which items are included?
- Who lives upstairs/next door? Have there been any disputes?
- How long were the previous renters living there?
- Is a parking space included, or is a parking permit needed?
- What's the council tax band? (Also check this yourself.)
Your tenancy type affects your rights
Which type of tenancy agreement you have, and when your contract started, will affect your rights, so check which you've got. In a nutshell, 'assured shorthold tenancy agreements' are generally the most common type if renting with a private landlord.
These generally last six months to a year, and mean your landlord must provide some repairs (plus other criteria too). When an assured shorthold tenancy ends, it becomes a 'month-to-month' tenancy. So unless your landlord ends it, you can stay on.
Yet finding which tenancy type you've got can be tricky. It depends on a huge amount of factors, including when you moved in, how you pay rent and who you live with.
To help, housing charity Shelter has useful Tenancy Checker tools for England andScotland. Just answer a few points on where you're living and when you moved in, and it'll quickly tell you which type you've got, plus your rights for each. Shelter also has info on tenancy types in Wales, or try Housing Advice NI for Northern Ireland.
It's also worth reading forumite G_M's useful posts on rent increases if you're on an assured shorthold tenancy, and what happens when a fixed term ends.
Warning! You could be held responsible for the actions of other tenants
If it's a joint tenancy, each tenant will be responsible for the actions of the others. So be careful who you sign up to these with - if one person doesn't pay their share of the rent, the others will need to fork out for them.
Joint liability clauses in shared tenancies mean you're responsible for the actions of your co-tenants in certain areas, as stated in the contract. If they accidentally set fire to the sofa, you may have to pay for the repairs.
Once you've found the perfect place, make sure you get in ASAP
Once you've found your palace and you're itching to get in, there are tricks that can help bagging it.
- Know your budget. Don't be pushed past it - letting agents are experts at doing this. For help doing a proper budget, use our free Budget Planner.
- Make a good impression. Don't forget, you're being checked out too. They're more likely to want a tenant that's professional, prompt and polite.
- Get your references lined up. If your landlord will need references (eg, from your employer), ensure you ask your referees in good time.
- Be prepared to go fast. Good rentals are often snapped up, especially in sought-after city areas. Once you've decided, move quickly with your offer. Yet don't be irrational - stick to your budget and don't be pressured.
- Go through the contract ASAP. Raise any issues as soon as you can with the landlord, so there's time to get them changed before you move in. Also check who's managing the property (ie, the landlord or letting agent).
- Have the rent and deposit ready. Make sure you have enough cash set aside for the first month's rent and deposit (usually about six weeks' rent). This can be a lot more than you think, so work it out early. For example, £200/week rent could mean you'd need to put down about £2,000 to cover these.
Pack an 'essentials' box to help when you arrive
Put key items you'll need immediately in a clearly-labelled box, and pack it last (so it's the first box you'll get to when you're unpacking). A box with a kettle, mugs, tea, biccies and loo roll can be a godsend when you've no idea where everything is.
Double-check the inventory & report any defects
If you're given an inventory when you arrive, ensure you fill it in and carefully check for any existing damage in the property or its contents. Don't worry about being too specific - note down anything you can see, be it a cracked tile, damaged paintwork or a chipped mirror. If you can, take photos as evidence too.
Even if they don't give you an inventory to fill in, list any defects in writing to the landlord as soon as you can; see Shelter for a printable inventory template. Ensure it's signed and dated, and keep a copy so you can see what's on it when you move out.
This way, if the landlord tries to eat into your deposit for any of these when you leave, you'll have hard proof the damage was already there where you moved in. Similarly, take photos when you move out so you've proof it's in good order - see above.
Use the right 'rent a property' finders
There's a plethora of search sites which let you quickly search for property to rent in your chosen area. They won't all come up with the same listings, so it's best to try a few if you can.
The best we've found:
Remember to redirect your mail and update all your addresses
When you move, it's always a good idea to get your post redirected to your new address. This can be very helpful as it will avoid you missing an unexpected bill being sent to your old address.
You can set this up via the Royal Mail website. For UK redirection it currently costs £24.99 for up to three months, £34.99 for three to six months and £54.99 for six to twelve months.
It's also important you make sure you update your address with everyone who needs to know it. This can avoid hefty fines - for instance, if your driving licence is out of date you're risking a £1,000 fine.
Here's a quick checklist for updating your address:
And to register to vote
When you move, you don’t automatically get registered to vote at your new address. If you aren’t registered, you don’t get a say on who represents you.
It can also help boost your credit score as if you're not on the electoral roll it's unlikely you'll get accepted for credit. This is because credit reference agencies use the register to confirm where you live in order to counteract fraud.
The registration process now requires that, rather than one person registering all members of a household, each individual needs to register themselves. You can register on the gov.uk site.
Check out the neighbourhood
No matter how plush the pad, MoneySavers are unanimous that location counts. After all, you can add your own touches when you're renting, but you can't move it to another spot. So prowl the neighbourhood on foot, hunting for clues.
Of course, if it's only temporary rented accommodation for a month or so, you may be happy to put up with a less-than-glowing area. But if you're planning to rent there for a while, a little research can go a long way:
- How safe is the area? Steel yourself and take a look at the Police.uk crime mapping website for England and Wales. It breaks down recorded crimes by street, including burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour (gulp!), all of which mean dearer insurance premiums.
- Get info on noise levels, air pollution and transport links. You can get oodles of free information online on school league tables and even noise level checks. See Free House Price Valuations for a full list - though our guide's designed for buyers, it has useful tips to help renters too.
If you're a total newcomer and you're planning to rent there for a while, you could even stay in a local bed and breakfast to get a real feel for the area. Get the lowdown from locals and ask a local bobby or Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.
Top 10 moving day questions to ask the landlord
With all the stresses of moving, it's easy to forget simple, practical questions you'll wish you've asked. Worrying about when the dustmen come is easily forgotten when you're humping boxes upstairs, but even less fun when you're left with overflowing bins for a week. So we've put together some key questions to ask:
- Where's the mains water stopcock (see stopcock tips above)?
- Where's the fuse box?
- Where are the gas and electricity meters?
- Which days are rubbish and recycling collected?
- Are there instruction manuals for any electrical items?
- Who supplies the gas and electricity?
- Where is the thermostat?
- What's the landlord or letting agent's number?
- Where are the TV aerial and phone line sockets?
- Which provider supplies the home phone and broadband?
Scope out transport links and travel costs
When choosing an area to rent in, don't forget to factor in public transport if you or your family will need it for work or school. How frequent are buses and trains, and how much are they? If a season ticket's expensive, savings had by renting in the sticks can quickly be swallowed by the cost of the commute.
For London commuters, CommuteFrom shows which towns are the quickest hop from the office. Just select a central London rail or Tube station, pick a maximum journey length, eg, no more than 45 minutes, and it brings up the best commuter routes.
Sadly there isn't a similar version for the rest of the UK, but try searching test routes you'll need on the National Rail journey planner, or for bus routes and frequency, check your local council's website - Gov.uk has a handy tool to find yours.
Get an itemised bill for calls if flat-sharing
If you're in a flat-share, make sure you get an itemised bill for your calls, so you don't end up paying for someone else's long-distance calls to Outer Mongolia. To do this, just contact your provider to request itemised billing.
When you move in to rented digs, it's also worth speaking to the landlord to see what services the previous tenants had. If you're happy to go with the same provider, you may save on installation costs if the wiring's already there.
Don't feel you have to stay with the same provider if it isn't the cheapest though. See the Cheap Home Phones guide for the full list of best buys.
Don't under-insure your home's contents
When you're renting, contents insurance can give useful protection if there's a break-in, or your stuff gets damaged. Yet don't under-insure - this could lead to insurers not paying out when you need it.
For example, say you’re insured for £12,000, but actually have £24,000 of contents, and then £6,000-worth is stolen. The insurer could then assess your property and only pay out in proportion to your cover, meaning you'll get just £3,000 back.
Or worse still, the policy could be cancelled for being underinsured. If this is the case, you must disclose it in future, hiking insurance costs - and making it more difficult to get cover at all.
To work out the correct amount, walk from room to room, noting down what everything would cost on a new-for-old basis, including smaller items like clothing. It soon adds up. For a full list of best buys, see the full Home Insurance guide.
Instantly compare removal costs
If you're moving from your parents with no furniture, a car and a couple of mates will likely suffice. If not, many people choose to enlist extra help from a removal firm.
To get five local quotes instantly, head to Reallymoving.com and fill in an online form. Also check that the company belongs to the British Association of Removers.
If you decide to use a local 'man and van' service, watch out as they may not have insurance for any damage caused in transit (always check). So here, it's a question of balancing a lower price against service, and only going with what you're happy with.
If hiring a van to do the move yourself, do note you may need to be 25 or over - always check the contract. Also consider extra insurance to cover the excess (the amount you'll pay towards a claim). Otherwise small scrapes can cost large, and may be more likely if you aren't used to driving a van. See the Cheap Car Hire guide.
Give yourself a money overhaul
Moving into a new place is the perfect time to grab your finances by the nipples and tweak ‘em hard. You'll be signing up to new services anyway, so could save £1,000s on your previous bills by ensuring you grab everything cheapest.
For starters, find the Cheapest Home Phone and Cheapest Broadband, then try Digital TV Cost Haggling and Water Bills. Those are just the start.
For a detailed checklist of over 30 quick ways to cut bills, see the full Money Makeoverguide.
You CAN switch to a water meter if renting
For some in England and Wales, switching to a water meter could save hundreds. A quick tip can help you work out if you could be better off with a meter:
Plus as stated in the Water Industry Act 1991 you can legally do this even if you live in rented accommodation, unless you've a fixed term tenancy agreement of under six months. It's best to let your landlord know in writing first, though.
For full info on water meters versus standard billing including free calculators, see the Cut Water Bills guide.
Sadly, in Scotland it isn't free to have a water meter installed (it's quite expensive) so, unless you live alone in a manor-type property, you should stick to billed payment.
Take snaps when viewing
Take photos of the property on your mobile if you can. They'll be a useful reference point later, when all the places you've seen start to blur into one. Though of course, bear in mind it's private property, so don't post them online.
Can you do council tax rebanding if renting?
Up to 400,000 homes in England and Scotland are in the wrong council tax bands. Yet in 10 minutes, at no cost, it's possible to check 'n' challenge your banding, not only potentially slashing what you pay now, but getting a backdated rebate from far back as 1993.
Thousands have already tried this and succeeded. Plus as you pay council tax regardless of whether you're the tenant or owner, if you're renting, it's certainly worth going through the system to see.
Before you challenge your band, courtesy dictates you should discuss it with your landlord first though. This is also because it's a good idea to agree on who gets the cash from any payouts, particularly if the claim's backdated to before you lived there, or if you pay the landlord for council tax (ie, their name's on the bill).
Note a reassessment means your band could be moved up as well as down. See the Council Tax Bands guide for the full step-by-step details.
Students don't pay council tax
If you're a full-time student living alone or sharing with other students, you DON'T need to pay council tax, no matter how many of you live in the house.
If you're sharing with one or more non-students though, it gets more complicated. You still won't be charged council tax, but you may want to consider how to best split the household's council tax bill.
- Live with a non-student? If a student lives with one non-student, the student won't be taxed and council tax will be charged as if a single person lives there (so long as the student's full-time, otherwise check). That means the non-student can apply for the 25% single person's discount.However, this poses a moral dilemna. Should the non-student pay the 75% due? Or should the student contribute? Our suggestion is to split the 25% difference between the two people, so the non-student pays 62.5% and the student 12.5%.From the student's perspective, they wouldn't pay anything if their housemate was also a student. From the non-student's perspective, they'd only pay 50% of the bill if their housemate was also a non-student.
- Live with more than one non-student? The student is still exempt but because there are two non-students the house has to pay the full 100% charge. So it gets complex - the student hasn’t added to the council tax bill, but nor has their presence resulted in a discount.You'll need to decide if and how you want to split the tax bill, though the legal stance is that full-time students aren't liable for the bill if non-students can't or don't pay.
You need to apply to your local council for these discounts - they aren't deducted automatically. To apply, visit Gov.uk.
You need your landlord's permission to do the Green Deal
The Green Deal is a scheme that gives special 'loans' or grants to improve your home to cut energy bills. If you're renting and want to improve your pad, you need the landlord's permission, as Green Deal repayments will affect future tenants.
Currently, you can't force your landlord to improve their property. But from 2016, landlords won't be able to refuse reasonable improvement requests from tenants.
And from 2018, landlords with poor Energy Performance Certificates ratings (F or G) will be forced to make their properties more efficient - so it could be worth encouraging them with the Green Deal now. See the Green Deal Mythbusting guide.
Get free advice if disputes arise
If you're having problems with your landlord, or you need extra advice with any issues while you're renting, there are several places that can offer free help.
Not having locks for each room may affect insurance claims in shared accomodation
If you're renting shared accommodation, eg, in uni halls, your insurance won't cover you for theft unless there's been a violent or forced entry. So always make sure you lock your room's door when you leave, even if you're just popping out briefly.
If you're in a house share that doesn't have locks on each room, be aware this may adversely affect any home insurance claims. As there won't be any signs of forced entry (after all, a burglar could just walk into your room!) they may not pay out. You could get tenants' home insurance - see our Home Insurance guide for more.
Consider carefully whether you should really buy instead
If house price mania had a World Cup, Britain would lift the trophy. Yet there's still the question of what, when and whether to buy. See the Mortgage Schemes guide and Pros and Cons of Renting forum discussion to help, as well as Martin's Property warning blog.
Martin's warning:
While it's wonderful to plan, budget and buy a home you can afford, too many have unhealthy 'must own, must own' mentalities.I met some scorn talking about this back in the 2006 property boom. Yet now after price dips in many parts of the UK and the still-looming spectre of monster mortgage deposits, maybe it's time to reappraise attitudes and bust myths.Too often non-home owners are depicted as an underclass. It's why I've met 21-year olds desperate to overstretch their tentative first pay packets and risk financial ruin just to buy.Owning is a nice goal, but you're no loser if you don't immediately clamber onto the housing ladder. Bigger-picture financial security is more important.Even after recent times some still say: 'Property prices may fall but not in [insert where they live].' Yet the only way to know that is with a crystal ball.Hot demand now could change if interest rates rise, and existing mortgages become less affordable – not a prediction, just a possibility.Martin LewisThe money-savvy should always hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
MSE founder & editor
Save your landlord's number in your phone for emergencies
The time you lock yourself out is exactly the moment you realise you should have done this earlier. So don't just keep this pinned to a notice board or in the back of a diary - save your landlord or letting agent's number to your phone now if you haven't already. You might just be glad you did.
Get a FREE first-time buyers' guide
Of course, we aren't saying you should rush out and buy a property. But if you're making the jump from renting to buying, we've a detailed free printed and PDF guide to help you get the very best mortgage deal possible.
The MoneySavingExpert.com Free Mortgage Guide is a fully detailed step-by-step guide to getting the best possible mortgage deal, suitable for first time buyers, buy-to-let getters and those who've had poor credit histories.
For every 1% you can cut off your mortgage deal, you'll save £1,000 a year on a £100,000 repayment mortgage. So it's well worth taking the time.
Renting for hols? Swipe five-star villas for two-star hotel prices
Of course, this guide's about renting a home in the UK. But it's worth noting that if you're off on holiday, there's a useful trick to get posh accommodation abroad at a fraction of the cost.
If you don’t fancy battling for a sun-lounger each morning, rented villas offer space for for large groups of friends, or families with kids who need to let off steam.
The bonus with these is that, as a rule of thumb, the larger the group, the bigger the per-person saving, so they're great if there's a party of you. For full dos and don'ts, plus how to check it's not a fake villa, see Cheap Holiday Rentals.
Add your renting tips on the forum
The House Buying, Renting and Selling forum board is a great place to share your experiences of renting with others, from hunting for the perfect rental to moving tips 'n' tricks you've learnt along the way.
Whether you want to natter about what to do if the landlord didn't empty the house,renting with pets or if you've got a pigeon stuck in the chimney (!), it's well worth a visit. Plus if you've tips to help others, share them in the 50 Renting Tricks discussion.
Source:- http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/rent-a-property
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