9 Tips To Find A Rental Property For You
So, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge, and move out into your own place (did our reasons to move to London sway you?), but you haven’t got a clue where to start.
It’s an exciting time, and all you’re thinking about is how great it’ll be that you can buy what you want for the house, eat whatever and whenever you fancy, and most importantly, sit on the sofa in nothing but your pants.
But reality is far from that. Of course, we’re all for the trouser ban on the sofa, but there’s a lot to consider and prepare for when looking to rent a property. And we are here to help.
1. Consider what you actually need and what you’re looking for
We’ve all got ideas in our head like a nice roll top bath, beautiful bay windows and a garden, but the question is, do you really need that bath or particular window? Do you? The important things to consider, are the size of the home and if it’s comfortable for you, location, the nearest public transport and if you want to be living with a few or a lot of people. Once you’ve got the basics in mind, you can then think about the extras that would make you even happier (like a really cosy living space). Anything else is a bonus.
2. Set your budget
There’s no easy way to say this, but things are gonna change drastically when you rent. So if your bank balance already freaks you out, prepare for an even bigger shock. Work out how much you’ll need to make sure rent, bills and of course food, is covered, and then enough left over to leave you in a position where you can still enjoy your life (ie heading to the pub with your pals most nights). It’s better to have extra every month rather than leaving yourself short, because unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees. And landlords still want paying on time.
3. Choose your area
So many places to choose from right? Whilst there’s the temptation to live down the road from your favourite Saturday night spot, it’s a good idea to think about proximity to work, public transport, and areas that have things you’ll need. If you’re a proper night-owl then chances are that a quiet spot isn’t going to cut it for you, and if you prefer the calmer life then living right in the thick of everything won’t work out either. So think wisely, explore areas before jumping into it, and talk to local folk. Our area pages are super helpful with everything you need to know including average rental price, closest transport links and even some top spots to give you a taste of where you may want to live.
We also asked residents of the UK’s most desirable cities to rate their areas on a range of factors including nightlife, whether they’re fashionable and how suited they are to young professionals. You can see the results in our Modern Living Index, which will also help you.
4. Use ideal flatmate
Well, of course. With a rough idea of what you’re looking for, how much you can afford and which area you fancy setting up home in, you can browse ideal flatmate for that perfect property. But the best thing, is that with us, we believe that choosing a flatshare is not just about choosing a property to live in. It’s also about choosing a group of people to share part of your life with, and our Compatibility Quiz is the ideal thing to help you find the perfect flatmate.
5. Be flexible
A little like considering your needs and wants, there will be a strong chance you’ll have to be flexible. Maybe having a bigger room that’s one stop extra on the tube is more appealing than the box room that makes your commute much quicker, or sacrificing the super cool house with a terrace because the other property is much better located. Being flexible doesn’t necessarily mean losing out, but as The Rolling Stones once said – you can’t always get what you want. But wherever you choose, it’s also super easy to make your rental home feel more like home with some simple styling.
6. Book in viewings
So you might not be convinced about the room that appears a little gloomy in South London, but you’ll never actually know if it truly is that dark, unless you see it. For sure, cancelling some plans to see your pals is frustrating, but if you’re really wanting to find somewhere special, you’ve gotta put in the time and view view view. Including those ones you’re not quite sure about, but can’t seem to fully disregard it, because pictures can be very misleading. You never know what you might actually find…
7. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare
Whether you’ve set up a spreadsheet on what your outgoings will be, have your phone notes swamped with questions to ask when viewing a property, or are already researching how much council tax is in the area, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. And then some more. No question is a stupid question, even down to asking what happens when you lose your keys (and if you’re too afraid, why not #AskTheLandlord instead?). You can never be prepared enough.
8. Save
Now we don’t want to harp on or start sounding like your parents but honestly – SAVE. Even if you’ve worked out that there’s enough to pay your deposit, first months rent, have your bills covered for two months and can get a food delivery sorted, there’ll always be something else you may need (and yes, you might want to treat yourself to a new bed frame, because WHY NOT?!).
9. Have fun!
Because, you’re moving! And it’s a really really exciting time. Well except the physical moving day, that’s not so fun. Just prepare yourself with wine or beer after. You deserve it!
