How to let things develop

Published on Friday 4 April 2008 22:19

It’s not just the property itself you should check before renting

EACH week The Scotsman gives you a top-ten guide to pertinent financial issues. With more people choosing – or being forced – to stay in rented accommodation because of affordability issues and increasing difficulties in obtaining a mortgage, we have come up with advice on what tenants should ask potential landlords

Colette Murphy, director at Edinburgh letting agent Braemore Property Management, gives you her top ten tips on what you should find out.

1TENANCY It is important to ask how long the landlord is looking to let the property for. It is sometimes something that can’t be guaranteed but it is worth asking what the potential rental period could be.

2LEASE Some landlords offer short-term leases of three to six months but others look for tenants to sign ten to 12 month contracts – particularly with student flats. Tenants need to be aware they will need the property for that length of time.

3ENTRY Entry dates: some properties are marketed a month, or even months, before they are available. Potential tenants need to match the date they leave their current property and move into their new one. If they don’t match up you need to see how long the landlord is willing to carry a vacant property.

4INTERNET Broadband and cable access: As reliance on the internet continues to soar, tenants need to know if the property has broadband access. If broadband, landline and cable TV are not already installed in the property, tenants should contact providers to check availability in that area.

5OUTGOINGS Rent is just one cost tenants need to consider. Bills, such as electricity and gas, are often not included in the rent. One major cost to consider is council tax – particularly in city centre new-build properties as this can add hundreds of pounds to monthly costs. Tenants need to ensure they are looking at properties at the right rental levels so they can afford them. A lot of people, simple as it sounds, don’t take in all the factors and look at places they can’t afford.

6DEPOSITTenants need to know how much deposit they need to pay to secure the property.

7ALTERATIONS You need to know how the landlord feels about them making small changes to the property, for instance, hanging pictures. Many landlords have no problem if it is done properly but it is important to find out how they feel about that.

8NUMBERS For a two-bedroom property, some landlords will be unwilling to take a couple and a single person, for instance, due to the wear and tear.

Also, if there are three or more unrelated people wanting to live together, tenants need to ensure the property they are looking at has an HMO licence.

9DSS There are landlords who won’t accept tenants on DSS. Tenants need to be upfront if they are on benefits as many will waste their time, and the landlord and letting agent’s time, by trying to keep it quiet. Letting agents, such as Braemore, run full credit checks on tenants so they will be found out, especially if they do have CCJs and decrees so again it is best to be upfront about this from the beginning.

10REFERENCES Tenants need to make sure they have references available – preferably from their current employer and a previous landlord. If someone is moving for a new job then they should ensure they can source a reference from a previous employer as it is important for landlords to know their prospetive tenants will be making enought money to meet their rent.