Saving for a house deposit can often be a thankless task. Once you appear to have saved a significant sum, something inevitably comes out of the woodwork that drains all of your hard earned cash. If you do not see an end result to your years of saving, why not consider renting a home? When you rent a home you do not have to save for years to achieve the deposit that you need, plus you are free to move home whenever you please. You may not have the commitment that a mortgage brings however in this day and age, is it not best to leave yourself with some room to manoeuvre? As one of the greatest cities in the world, it is no surprise that the demand for estate agents London it high, with couples, families and singletons all trying to locate a reputable company. If you are currently looking to enter the rental market, here are our top tips for getting the best deal.
The first thing to do is plan your research, if you are looking for a home in a specific area, take the time to visit the surrounding areas during both the day and night. That leafy suburb may not look as picturesque when the nearby bars are full or when the gangs of teens descend when the sun sets. If you have a family, check out the local schools and ensure that there are sufficient amenities in short distance such as supermarkets, playgrounds, hospitals and public transport links. If you do plan on commuting into work each day check that there is a nearby tube station or bus stop that will take you to the office.
Once you have scoped out the area you want to live in, it is time to start viewing properties. The biggest thing to remember here is to take your time, although that first house that you viewed may seem perfect, you may live to regret your decision if you jump in head first. Common problems such as damp can cause havoc for tenants therefore it is vital that you scrutinise bathrooms, kitchens and walls for any signs of it. Are the windows in good condition? Does it have central heating? What amenities come with it? These are just some of the questions that you need to ask when viewing a property, if you find something that makes you wary it is typically best to trust your instinct and move on to the next one.
The first thing to do is plan your research, if you are looking for a home in a specific area, take the time to visit the surrounding areas during both the day and night. That leafy suburb may not look as picturesque when the nearby bars are full or when the gangs of teens descend when the sun sets. If you have a family, check out the local schools and ensure that there are sufficient amenities in short distance such as supermarkets, playgrounds, hospitals and public transport links. If you do plan on commuting into work each day check that there is a nearby tube station or bus stop that will take you to the office.
Once you have scoped out the area you want to live in, it is time to start viewing properties. The biggest thing to remember here is to take your time, although that first house that you viewed may seem perfect, you may live to regret your decision if you jump in head first. Common problems such as damp can cause havoc for tenants therefore it is vital that you scrutinise bathrooms, kitchens and walls for any signs of it. Are the windows in good condition? Does it have central heating? What amenities come with it? These are just some of the questions that you need to ask when viewing a property, if you find something that makes you wary it is typically best to trust your instinct and move on to the next one.