Photo Credit: Charlotte May via www.pexels.com

The number of private renters in England and Wales has more than doubled in the past 20 years, with 5 million households – 20.4% of all homes – renting according to the 2021 census. Whether you’re new to renting or on your tenth property, there are lots of ways that you can make sure that your home is high-quality, in budget, and a place to truly call home.

To help, here are four things you need to know when renting, from looking at a property through to after you’ve picked up the keys.

What’s your prime location?

When you’re looking for a home, arguably one of the most important aspects to consider is the location.

Consider how accessible it is for your job, how easily you can get to work or to the places you enjoy in the evenings and weekends. If you have kids, think schools and childcare providers. Also look into the local community – is there a close-knit feel, local businesses, and clubs to get involved in?

What’s your rental budget?

Just like Muhammed Ali’s famous quote, ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth’, money is the rent you pay for your home – and you can do yourself a service by exhaustively working out how much you can afford before you sign on the dotted line.

While you don’t have to worry about stamp duty and solicitors’ fees, it’s important to consider if you can afford the monthly rent, how much bills and council tax are expected to be. Some landlords and property letting agencies will also check your credit score, so if yours is low, it might be worth looking into how you can boost your credit rating.

What’s the condition of the home?

Before agreeing to a tenancy, it’s important you carefully consider the condition of the home as you don’t want to be left with a leaky property and there are often limits on what tenants can do to a rented property in terms of customisation.

Some of the most important things to look out for include ventilation (too little equals mould, too much, and the home will be drafty and tough to heat), noise levels from the street and neighbours, the age of appliances, and secureness of windows and doors.

What are your responsibilities as a tenant?

So, you’ve finally be handed the keys and are getting settled into your fresh new abode. All that’s on your mind is furniture arranging and picture hanging, but before you indulge your inner Llewelyn Bowen, you need to understand your responsibilities.

While major repairs such as gas leaks, electrics or unexpected water damage are often the responsibility of the landlord, tenants are typically. responsible for cleaning, gardening, ventilation, and minor maintenance tasks like changing lightbulbs. If you’re unsure what your responsibilities are, check the rental agreement.