Many landlords would like to meet tenants before the offer is accepted, it may be that they want to meet potential tenants to see who they will be dealing with or there is competition for the property, which means that how the landlord views you could have an impact on their final decision, so it makes sense to make a strong impression.
Be prepared
Make sure you are organised and ready to meet the landlord, have everything prepared and if there are documents that you could not get yet make sure you have explanation why. If you are organised at the start, the tenancy will go smoother and believe me landlord will look at this as a priority.
Renting property is a big financial commitment, so make sure that you understand the financial commitment you need to make. There can be costs associated with arranging and agreeing the rental period, including a deposit for the property, there can be costs associated with moving in, such as removal costs, and there are costs you need to bear each month. In addition to your rental fee, you have all of your other bills to pay, so make sure you know how money you will spend up front and in the long term. This will help you to find accommodation that you can afford.
You can also speed up the process and make a positive impression by providing documents that the landlord requires to see. This may include proof of identification, proof of income and any references that you may have previous landlords. Again, if a landlord is choosing between candidates, they may be swayed by an efficient and helpful tenant, so be as helpful as you can.
Ask the right questions
There are a number of questions you should ask the landlord. This will provide you with peace of mind about the property and the service that the landlord will offer. Some questions to consider include:
• How much is the deposit and what deposit scheme the landlord uses?
• What is the property’s condition with respect to electrical and gas safety checks, and with the EPC?
• Enquire about the condition of the property
• Ask who will be responsible for repair and maintenance
• Ask about obtaining an independent inventory check of the property at the point of moving in
Before you commit to a tenancy period, fully review the terms and conditions of the agreement. If there is anything you are not happy with, query it and ask if this is set in stone. It may be that the issue can be resolved to your satisfaction or it could be that this is a “make or break” element for you.
Also, if the landlord pressures you into signing the agreement before you have read it fully, feel free to walk away. This agreement is important because if you don’t fully comply with the agreed terms, you may lose your deposit or leave yourself at risk of being evicted. It is understandable that a landlord will want the deal concluded as quickly as possible but given the importance of rental accommodation; don’t feel as though you should be pressured into anything.
When it comes to being prepared as a tenant, and finding the rental accommodation that is best for you, make sure you do your research and there is never any harm in speaking with local property specialists to develop a better understanding for the area.
