With a rental property, you have the freedom to move house without the stresses involved in buying or selling property.  It’s also a great way to start out – setting up home with a partner perhaps, and living in your first home together.

You might be on your own, with friends, or living with a partner.  As a prospective tenant in a rental property though, you’ll have a number of responsibilities to think about before you sign a contract.  In addition to things like, ‘do I have to buy my own furniture, or should I rent a furnished property?’, there are different types of tenancy to consider: short term, long term, assured shorthold (most commonly found in the private sector), or assured – most commonly offered by local authority landlords and housing associations.

Your letting agent (this could be the housing association, local authority, a specialist letting agency, or a private landlord’s solicitor) should explain every detail of your contract to you.  Understanding the details whenever you’re moving to a different property is important, so that you’re aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Getting expert advice helps you feel comfortable about the agreements you’re putting in place, so you can concentrate on enjoying life in your new home.  Letting agents are usually as keen to make sure you’ll be a satisfied tenant, as they are to work on behalf of your landlord.

Questions you might like to ask the letting agent…

How much notice will you need to give if you want to leave?

Who is responsible for the upkeep of communal areas?

How much will you have to pay towards bills?

Are there any additional service charges?

What happens to your deposit, who looks after it, how do you get it back?

What restrictions are there on things like having pets in the property?