Top tips for renting and getting that money back. (Renting a Home)

Member Name: LoolooMe

Product:	Renting a Home
Date:	11/08/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can find great places and good for short one year stays.

Disadvantages: Dishonest Landlords

So you are about to rent a house. Here are my top tips for being a good tenant, making it your home and most importantly getting your deposit back.

Good Tenanting.
1. Pay everything on time. Set up a standing order and tell your letting agent/Landlord that you have done so and tell them so. Make sure they know that you are going to pay up even if you need a month to get the money for your deposit in your bank then make out a post dated cheque for a time you know you have money. Check with the letting agent/LL that this is ok first though.
2. Be clean. Not necessarily tidy, but clean. Also remember in some contracts if you have left a mess which attracts rodents then you have to pay for it. Also most of the time these houses will have at some point been your LL home and they don't want to see it in a mess.
3. Let them know that you are being a good tenant. For example if there is a garden ask them to send you written conformation that you can weed the patio.
4. Get to know the neighbors, or at least don't disturb them. These peoples may know your LL and complain, which means that you may get evicted.
5. Just because it is not your carpet/sofa/lampshade does not mean that you can let things soak in. Treat it with respect at the very least this means that you won't loose any money.

Making it yours.
Personalise, Personalise, Personalise! Get pot plants, get pictures (though check that you can put it up first), ask if they buy the paint would you be able to redecorate. Buy a door mat. You will feel a lot happier in there once it becomes your home. My way is to surround my self with photos for the first week until I feel more at home and settled.

Getting your deposit back.
I am at the moment in a huge fight with my ll about how the house was when we moved in. In my words a tip. anyway it has all boiled down that they won't give my deposit back and it is a horrible feeling and place to be so if you are moving in follow these steps.
1. Fill in their inventory and your own. Send a copy to them preferably by email and keep a copy for your self. Not down everything. Even if you think that it is just minor note it. Same as you do when you first rent a car.
2. Make sure you know what you pay for ie. light bulbs, cleaning, left furniture, missing furniture.
3. Take photos of anything broken or in bad repair. Digital is best then burn them onto a CD-R and make sure they are date stamped. You may also want to email your LL these photos.
4. If anything happens such as brick through your window or spray paint on the brick work then report it to police. Then you get a police incident number which then your LL can pass onto their insurance.
5. When you are moving out take out your inventory and take all of your furniture and leave all of there's.
6. Get final copy of all bills and make a photocopy. Send the receipt of final payment to LL.
7. If you don't get your deposit back call them, talk to them. Last resort legal action, although normally just the threat of legal is enough to make them get in shape and get it back to you.

Hope everyone has lovely honest LL and enjoy their rented home.

Summary: There are people who want to rip you off, just make sure that you keep all your documents.