Can anyone offer me some advice about renting a flat?

Question

Either from personal experience or a good website with advice on renting.

Answer 1

The most important thing is whether you will be happy where you live.  You must visit with the neighbors.  If they are unhappy, they will let you know. Listen to what they say before you pay your money. /

Answer 2

What do you want to know - I just rented my first house and I'm a house letting agent!

Answer 3

In the UK

Remember your council tax

Heat and light bills

Water rates

Phone

tv licence

All that will come to an average of £200 a month on top of your rental

Then there is the deposit, usually equivalent to one months rent

All these costs mount up.

Lastly, get a solicitor to read over any contract or agreement you are being asked to sign

Answer 4

First of all, check you are signing an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement or AST. These are the key arrangements that apply in England and Wales and protect you and your landlord. Key areas to look at include details of what rent has to be paid and when, what if any other bills are your responsibility as a tenant (normally utility bills which the landlord will probably want transferred into your name) how long the tenancy will last and how it can be extended (normally an initial six months) and how much notice has to be given on either side if you want to end the agreement (normally a month after the initial six month period has ended).

There should also be a full inventory listing what’s in the property and – equally importantly – their condition. Checking this carefully lessens the chance of problems when you move out. You can get more advice by downloading the booklet Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies: A Guide For Tenants from www.communities.gov.uk (type assured shorthold in the search box) or get a hard-copy by ringing 0870 1207405.

Answer 5

before you move in take photos of evrything in the flat

so if they accuse you of damage you can prove that it wasnt you.

nnever came across anywhere where we couldve haggled the price

and remember all your bills on top

including the moving costs

Answer 6

dont know about haggling the price.  usually these places stick to their guns over the price because they know someone will pay it.  when viewing  places ask about rates, council tax.  Sounds stupid but ask about whats nearby...shops, buses etc and check the area out for yourself.  go for a dander.  Eg: You could find a lovely apartment and walk round the corner and theres junkies standing on the street looking dodgy.  And dont glance around the places,  take as much time as you need.  look for everything that you want and dont settle for second best. when moving in read every bit of small print.  and when you move in go over the place with an inventory and a magnifying glass.  letting agencies usually come round and check the place every 2 months and if they find fault they take money off ya.  some places you have to ask the letting agent if you put pictures or curtains up.  pain in the ****!!

and obviously dont forget your bills.

good luck chuck