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Looking for a flat? You are not alone. The U.K. is growing by over 500,000 people a year, and all the best properties are going fast.
But before you sign a lease, take a look at our 11 tips for finding the right flat.
Log On Before Lugging In
Flat quality varies throughout the U.K., and if you are not careful, you may end up with a subpar unit. Here are some of the best websites that can help you find a comfortable and affordable place in the U.K.:
RightMove – This is the biggest site for searching for rentals. Each listing includes “Market Info,” which shows you the selling price of nearby properties. You can use this data to make sure you pay a fair rental price.
Zoopla – From London to Edinburgh to Liverpool, Zoopla has information about thousands of properties available to rent in the U.K. One benefit of using this site is that it displays information about the holding and security deposit for many of its listings.
OpenRent – Landlords can save money using OpenRent, as the site does not collect admin fees. And they may pass those savings onto you. Plus, the site is meticulously maintained, so you should not see any dead listings.
SpareRoom – If you are looking for someone who needs a flatmate, SpareRoom (formally RoomBuddies) can be a solid place to start. The listings may include photos and videos to help you get to know potential roommates.
Renters should be careful shopping for a flat online. While the sites listed above are all reputable, there are many others that are not. Before you submit your rent or deposit through a third-party site, you should be sure that your money is protected.
Fix Your Credit Score
Some consumers are surprised to find out their credit report is filled with mistakes. This can be a major issue when applying for a flat, as the landlord may look at your credit report to check your:
- Reliability – if your credit score is low, then you may be more likely to miss rent
- Debt amount – it will be harder for you to pay rent if you owe a lot of money
- Unpaid bills – if you skipped out on rent in the past, it may show up on your credit report
To this end, it is important to examine your credit report before applying for a flat. Check for mistakes and get them fixed as soon as possible. Remember, the higher your credit score, the more likely you will be approved for an apartment.
Know Your Rights
Tenants in privately rented properties are privy to renters’ rights and responsibilities.
These rights include:
- Your flat is safe and in a “good state of repair”
- You receive your deposit back at the end of your tenancy
- You can challenge outlandish fees
- You have a right to know your landlord – if you request this information from the person you pay rent to and they do not provide it within 21 days, then your landlord may be fined
- You can receive an Energy Performance Certificate
- You receive protection from unfair rent and unfair eviction
Your rights are not limited to the list above. Additionally, you may have protections in place during the application process. If you feel like you are being discriminated against for any reason, it may be a good idea to speak with a lawyer.
Get a Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
If you claim benefits, have a low income, or are unemployed, then you might be eligible for the Housing Benefit or the Universal Credit. This may provide you with a standard allowance, as well as extra money if you have children or a disability. You can learn more about how to claim the credit at Gov.UK.
Know the Renting Requirements
During the rent application process, you will likely need to confirm your identity and provide your credit history, immigration status, and employment status. Your landlord may ask for additional documentation as well. If you are applying in person, then you should be sure to call ahead and ask what information you will need to bring with you.
Fill Out a Flat Renting Checklist
The Ministry of Housing provides a checklist for renting in England. The documentation includes key points to know before applying for a flat. These are:
- Most tenancy fees are not allowed, and deposits are capped.
- You can request your tenancy period to be between six months and seven years.
- You should not pay more than 35% of your take-home pay on rent.
- Your landlord may ask for a “rent guarantee.” This does not mean that they are guaranteeing you an apartment. Instead, it means that you are expected to find a rental guarantor, or someone willing to pay your rent when you cannot.
- Check for a working smoke alarm (there should be one on each floor), and also ask for a gas safety certificate.
- Test the water and heating system to make sure they work.
- Test each electrical installation.
- Ask about parking – if you are moving to an area where parking spots are hard to find, then you may have to pay extra for your parking spot.
Choose a Good Letting Agent
While some U.K. residents find an apartment on their own, you can save time and perhaps find a better place by working with a letting agent.
Renters can use the following questions to find the best agent:
- Do you follow a Code of Practice? If they do, be sure to ask what their code entails. You may even want to sneak in a question about if they have ever broken any rules in the past and why.
- How do you keep up with legislative changes? It is important for your letting agent to keep abreast of new renting legislation and make sure that you get the full benefit of such new rules.
- Are you backed by a Client Money Protection scheme? This scheme protects your rent and deposit monies. A CMP is required for all letting agents. Unfortunately, not all agents follow the rules, and many renters have lost their deposits by working with an unregulated agent.
Be sure to ask for references before choosing an agent.
Invest in Tenants Insurance
There are two types of renters insurance in the U.K. Renters can consider opting for both:
- Tenancy Liability Insurance – covers accidental damage to the flat and anything the landlord owns inside it.
- Tenants Contents Insurance – covers your personal possessions in the event of theft, fire, or accident.
Insurance companies make money by not paying out claims. That means that most plans have limited coverage, and it is up to you to add coverage for what you need. For instance, if you are moving to an area that is prone to flooding, you may find it best to look for a plan that covers flood damage.
Find the Right Flatmate
To avoid trouble, renters can ask any potential roommates the following questions before agreeing to live with them:
- Can I call some of your previous roommates? This is just like an employer asking for references.
- Are you allergic to anything? It is better to know in advance what they might ask you not to eat.
- Are you a smoker? If you don’t smoke, then it’s probably best not to live with a smoker.
- What are your thoughts on cleaning? One of the most common reasons for roommates fight is due to disagreements about uncleanliness.
- How often do you have friends over? If you are a relatively private person, then you may not want a roommate with an active social life. On the other hand, this could be an opportunity to jump in with a new group of friends.
- Would you rather turn up the thermostat or put on a jacket? If you like to save money on utilities, then try to find a roommate who feels the same way.
- What questions do you have for me? You want them to want to live with you, too.
While the above questions may not guarantee a cohesive living arrangement, they can be a great place to start.
Start Saving Now
It can be dangerous to use your emergency savings to make your deposit. Without money in your account, you may have to borrow money to pay for sudden expenses. It may be smarter to start saving extra money for the deposit several months ahead of the move. That way you might not need to dip into your rainy day fund.
Know That Everything is Different in Scotland
Many of the rules we have discussed in this article do not apply to Scotland. While it is part of the U.K., Scotland has its own renting regulations.
