How to secure your new rental home

How to secure your new rental home. Get ready to make a move!

The competition for rental properties is fierce. Demand is high and landlords and letting agents can afford to be fussy. You might be an ideal tenant but, even so, another ‘ideal’ tenant could beat you to it. Sometimes finding your new place takes real persistence, but there are things you can do – and some of them are very simple – which will put you in a stronger position.

Ready …

Your first step is to decide what kind of home you’re looking for. Put aside your fantasies about palatial homes (unless that’s an option for you) and make a list of the essentials. Think what you cannot do without. Be prepared to be flexible but if it needs to be three bedrooms with a garden, it needs to be three bedrooms with a garden.

Think about your location. You might have a preference, but which other areas could work? Are there transport links? Can the kids still get to school?

What’s your budget? Be honest with yourself. How does what you can afford fit with the market rates in your preferred area? Unless a property has been to-let for a good while, you’re unlikely to be able to negotiate the rent downwards.

Once you’ve got the non-negotiables sorted, get online and pop all these parameters into the property portals. Rather than idly scrolling when you have a few minutes, sign up for alerts. You want to be notified as soon as something comes onto the market.

Prepare your paperwork

You could easily be competing with a dozen other potential tenants, so give yourself an advantage. Have all your paperwork prepped and ready to go. Consider a Rental Passport (your personal reference). Ask your existing landlord (if you have one) for a reference. Sort your proof of income and your bank statements. Have your ID and any Right to Reside documentation ready.

Have your finances sorted and the funds available. You’ll need to be able to pay your deposit and first month’s rent right away.

Understand when you can move or when you need to move. If you’re clear on any deadlines, it’s a sign that you’re organised and competent – something both agents and landlords will appreciate.

Introduce yourself

Even if you’ve signed up for all the online portals, visit the letting agents who serve your desired location. Say hello and tell them what you’re looking for. Tell them how prepared you are. Even if they have no properties on their books, imagine they’re already screening you. Try and build some rapport so that when another property comes onto the market, they remember how organised and responsible you were.

Make it easy for the letting agent. They’re likely to prefer tenants who can view during office hours so make yourself available. View at the earliest possible opportunity – you don’t want to be at the back of the queue. When you go to view, be on time and be respectful of both the agent and the property.

Don’t be pressured into going ahead if the property isn’t right. Conversely, if you like the property but play it too cool, you could find it’s already been let by the time you get back to the agent to say you’re interested.

Give yourself an edge

What can you offer that will give you an advantage? Maybe you’ve got family in the area or a mutual connection? Can you be flexible on your move-in date?  Landlords often prefer tenants who are likely to stay longer term. If that’s you, say so.

We know it’s not easy when you’re looking for a rental property and the demand is so high but take the property hunt seriously. You’ll stand out from the crowd, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of securing the home you want.