Tenants Renting Guide
At Regal Estates, we want to ensure you find the ideal property to rent at the right price. Below we have outlined the stages involved in successfully renting a property, starting with budgeting, which will help you assess how much money you will need to secure a tenancy and manage costs once you have moved in. There are three main things to consider:
Rent
Rent payments will be the most significant monthly expense, but that’s not all. You also need to consider your overall cost of living, including food, travel and other essential expenses that directly contribute to your ability to pay the rent.
Household bills
You may have additional bills to take care of, such as gym memberships, car lease repayments etc. – but you should also consider how much you pay each month for council tax, energy bills, TV licence, broadband etc.
Security deposit
Before you move in, you will have to pay a month’s rent in advance, along with a security deposit of up to 5 weeks (for annual rents under £50k) or six weeks (for annual rents over £50k).
Searching for a property
Searching for a property
Once you know your monthly budget and property requirements, you can start your property search. Our property portfolio can be seen here on our website and via our partners, including Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket. Although it’s important to note that many of our properties are not advertised online, therefore, if you want to see more properties, it’s best to register with us.
There are several important things to consider when searching for a rental property, including:
There are several important things to consider when searching for a rental property, including:
- Do you need furniture? (Do you want it fully or partly furnished?)
- Would you like a front or back garden?
- Do you need a parking space/garage?
- Do you smoke (many rental properties do not allow this inside)?
- Are you a pet owner (some landlords prefer not to allow pets)?
- Will you need any facilities to support a disability?
While the property is the main priority, you also want to ensure the surrounding area offers all the amenities needed to support your lifestyle. This means looking at the following:
- Transport links – local bus/train/underground routes
- Schools – transport links/reputation
- Nearby shops and supermarkets
- Local doctors, dentists, and hospitals
- Entertainment – restaurants/bars/theatre/cinema
- Parks and recreational spaces
Our Area Guides are a great way to find this information.
Viewing the property
Viewing the property
The next stage involves requesting to view the property in person. If you see anything on our website or the properties we send you via email, you can call us on 020 8459 2530 to arrange a viewing. One of our letting negotiators will also suggest other suitable properties nearby that you may be interested in viewing on the same day. We will arrange the viewing over the phone and send you a text message and email confirming the property viewing. Please note we will also call you approximately thirty minutes before the appointment to confirm your attendance. Once you arrive at the property, one of our lettings team will guide you around the property, answering any questions you may have. If you decide to put forward an offer, our lettings team will put your offer in writing and email across to the landlord. Then, at the property viewing, we will tell you what information is required and agree upon furnishings and requirements, which we will communicate to the landlord.
When you view the property, be sure to look at / ask about the following:
- Is there any storage space available (does it have a loft/basement)?
- Is there enough space for any furniture you want to bring?
- Are the taps, toilet and bath/shower working?
- Can you see smoke alarms on every floor, and is a carbon monoxide detector installed?
- How recently were door/window locks installed – are they secure?
- Are double/triple glazing windows installed (this improves insulation and reduces energy bills)?
- Have broadband/telephone sockets been installed, and are they active?
- How strong is the Wi-Fi signal around the property?
- Can you see any damage that needs repair?
- Is mould/dampness present?
It’s also essential to find out about the local crime rate (you can ask the estate agent or check online to get official statistics) as well as enquiring about neighbours and other residents if it’s a house share.
If you are interested in moving in, ask what the total amount to be paid will be (deposit/rent). Tenant fees are now illegal, so you should not be asked to pay these.
Rental properties tend to come off the market very quickly, so it helps if you have already organised your references and have the money required to put down the deposit as well as the first month’s rent.
The final steps
The final steps
When putting forward an offer for a property, you can ensure you don’t miss out on the opportunity by being prepared to prove your identity, offer references, and put down a holding deposit.
You will need to prove you are over 18 and hold a legal right to live in the UK – this is done by showing official proof of ID using documentation such as a passport/driver’s licence etc.
Once your offer has been accepted, you must send a holding deposit of one week’s rent to secure the rental property. This can be paid via bank transfer, through our website or over the phone. This will take the property temporarily off the market while credit and reference checks are carried out. If all is fine, the holding deposit will be deducted from your first month’s rent. Your lettings negotiator will be able to provide more details on this.
We will then begin the referencing process to verify that you can continue paying the rent without issues throughout the tenancy. Our referencing process includes employer, landlord, affordability, and credit checks. Each property will require a different level of referencing, so it’s best to discuss this with your lettings negotiator. When approved, we will request a security deposit with a maximum of 5 weeks’ rent, or 6 weeks if the rent is over £50,000 per year.
Once referencing is completed, we will draw up the contracts, which can be signed in the office or online. We will then arrange the key collection with you at your convenience.
Moving into the rental property
Once you have agreed on a move-in date, there are a few final things to take care of before moving into your new home:
- Contact your current landlord and give them final notice before preparing your belongings for moving out.
- After paying your final month’s rent to your current landlord, set up a new standing order for the new tenancy – also, start to transfer over broadband/utility details with a move-in date.
- Be present for the inventory check before you move in so you can agree to and sign off the itemised list – you will then receive the keys and can start moving your belongings into the property.
If you want to rent a property in Willesden Green, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have a wide selection of vacant rental properties in North West London and are dedicated to helping you find the perfect property to suit your needs and budget requirements. If you are looking for a professional letting agent and want to know more about our services, please call us at 020 8459 2530 and discuss your options.
Fees applying to all new tenancies from 1st June 2019
We may charge a tenant any or all of the following when required:
- The rent of the property
- A security deposit with a maximum of 5 weeks rent, or 6 weeks on a property with rent over ÂŁ50,000 per year
- A holding deposit of no more than one week’s rent
- Default fee for late payment of rent (after 14 days)
- Reasonable charges for lost keys or security fobs
- Payments associated with contract variation, at ÂŁ50 or reasonable costs incurred if higher, when requested by the tenant
- Payments associated with early termination of the tenancy, when requested by the tenant
- Payments for bills – utilities, communication services, TV licence, council tax and green deal or other energy efficiency charges.
You can view a schedule of tenant fees here.
Regal Estates are members of The Property Ombudsman Redress Scheme and have client money protection through Propertymark.
Fees applying to all pre-existing tenancies entered before 1st June 2019
We shall continue to apply the charges within the existing tenancy agreement until 31st May 2020.
Interested in renting a Property in Willesden Green?
If you would like to find a property to rent, do not hesitate and contact our lettings team today to discuss what you are looking for and what options are available for you in our rental property portfolio.