Renting Process
London Link Properties have a wide and varied range of properties for sale and to let across London. Based in Limehouse on the west fringe of Canary Wharf, we offer a comprehensive service from our highly trained and dedicated team. We have compiled a quick easy to follow guide to help you through the renting process.
Deciding your requirements and priorities.
- Start by thinking about the things that you consider important in a property. A few considerations are illustrated here.:
- What is your budget? Consider more than just paying rent, include utilities and council tax, don’t forger unexpected emergencies.
- How many bedrooms do you need?
- Would you like a property with outdoor space?
- Are you in need of a parking space? Some developments are car free.
- Which transport links, schools or amenities do you need to be close to?
- If you have a pet be sure to establish the per policy for the property.
- Deciding exactly what you are looking for will assist you to carry out a search so that you only look through suitable properties.
Search for suitable properties.
Using London Link Properties recommended search engines, you can set your own criteria including:
- Properties within a set radius of things you need to be near such as schools, transport links and amenities;
- Type of property, number of bedrooms, monthly rental.
- Town, postcode, or as specific as road name.
Your search can be refined to suit your specific requirements. You can search for features or specify furnished or unfurnished. You can also search on keywords. Register with London Link and we can contact you when a property matching your requirements comes on the market.
Arrange viewings.
The property market in London is a fast moving one. London Link can arrange viewings as soon as a suitable property becomes available. Once we have identified a possible suitable property we recommend that you arrange a viewing as soon as possible. Some things to consider include:
- Consider the area as you arrive and leave the property that you are viewing. Think about visiting the area at different times of the day.
- What is the standard of exterior maintenance?
- What is the standard of interior maintenance including furnishings?
- Is the property double glazed or how is it insulated? This is an important consideration as it may affect your heating bills.
- If the property is furnished, which if any items will be present during the rental period? These should include kitchen contents.
- Examine the door and window locks. Feeling secure in your home is an important consideration.
- If you are considering a property with a communal area or garden remember to ask about maintenance and access.
- If you require on street parking take a look during the evening. Are there plenty of spaces available? If not will this be a problem?
- If you decide that you like the property and want to proceed, it is handy to have things in place ready to go. This will make the next steps quicker and easier:
- Monies including the agreed deposit and to pay for reference checks and the first month’s rent.
- References from your employer and previous landlords.
- Your bank details, identification and your full address for the last three years.
- These are necessary so that London Link can carry out the compulsory reference and anti money laundering checks.
- In some circumstances, a guarantor.
Prior to any rental agreement.
Remember there are some very basic, but essential steps when you agree to rent a property. These include:
- The deposit, establish how much it is, when it will need to be paid, is any rent in advance required?
- What is actually included in the rent? Are maintenance charges included? Are ground keeping charges included? Is the cleaning of communal areas included?
- How often is the rent reviewed? How will you be notified of any changes?
- Do you need a guarantor? If so what are the acceptable criteria?
- Is the tenancy for a fixed term? if so, how long will this be? What happens when the fixed term ends?
- Do you need to arrange contents insurance? If so, when should this start?
The tenancy agreement.
Tenancy agreements are very detailed. They contain a list of your responsibilities. Generally it will contain:
- Full names of the landlord(s) and tenant(s).
- Full address and post code of the property.
- How much deposit is required and how it protected.
- How much the rent is and how it should be paid.
- Information on how and when the rent will be reviewed.
- Address of the landlord(s) or agent who will be looking after the property.
- Start and end date of the tenancy.
Other items that may be within the tenancy agreement:
The bills that you will be responsible for.
- How and in what circumstances the deposit may be fully or partly withheld.
- Whether the tenancy can be ended early, if this is the case what is the process?
- Who is responsible for repairs to the property or contents?
- Are pets permitted? If so, what are the rules around this?
- Whether smoking is permitted in the premises.
- Whether the property can be let to anyone else (sublet) or if lodgers are allowed.
Before signing the tenancy agreement, you should ensure that you have:
- Visited the property enough times, at different times of the day if necessary, that you are sure you want to proceed.
- Established that your deposit is protected by an approved Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.
- Arranged your budget so that you are sure you can afford the rent, any bills and still have enough money left for food and other living costs, including unexpected emergencies.
- Checked that you understand all instructions for electrical items, particularly things such as central heating boilers.
- Seen an up to date, valid gas safety certificate and that the property is fitted with smoke or carbon monoxide detectors as required.
- Ensure inventory is all agreed. This means that you have all items within the property as set out. It is also worthwhile checking the state of these items and photographing anything already showing signs of damage or wear. It can be helpful for both yourself and the landlord/agency have copies of these.
Moving in.
Moving house can be a stressful experience. Here are a few tips to make it a smoother experience:
- Allow yourself plenty of time to pack your possessions. You could start collecting boxes in advance and packaging items that you do not use regularly.
- Arrange a moving date that suits you best. This will invariably not include Sundays or Bank Holidays.
- Compile a standard letter or email informing utility companies, bank, doctors, places of work, DVLA etc that you are moving, including the new address. In the case of utility companies provide them with your final meter readings, to avoid doubt think about photographing them.
- Consider arranging a postal re-direct as soon as possible.
- Notify the contents insurance company of the date you need cover to start