I AM A PRIVATE LANDLORD WITH A FEW PROPERTIES THAT I RENT OUT, THEREFORE BE AWARE OF ESTATE AGENTS WHO CHARGE YOU FEES TO JOIN THEIR AGENCY OR WHO CHARGE YOU FOR GETTING REFERENCES, ESPECIALLY AS THE LANDLORD IS PAYING THEM COMMISSION TOO FOR FINDING A TENANT!
A Few Tips About renting in shared houses!! ..
1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE LIVING IN A SAFE LOCATION, GO BACK AT NIGHT AFTER SAY 9.00pm & SEE IF IT FEELS SAFE TO WALK ABOUT NEAR THE HOUSE, IS IT SAFE TO WALK TO THE HOUSE AFTER YOU GET OFF THE BUS OR TUBE?
2. CHECK THERE IS A SHARED LOUNGE WHERE YOU CAN RELAX AND CHAT WITH YOUR HOUSEMATES, IT CAN BE REALLY SAD & BORING TO LIVE ALONE IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYBODY IN THE HOUSE! & IT'S NOT MUCH FUN TO SLEEP, EAT AND LIVE IN ONE ROOM!
3. MEET THE OTHER TENANTS YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE WITH.
4. CHECK HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN THE HOUSE, IT'S NOT NICE TO SHARE ONE BATHROOM & TOILET WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE! AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ALL INVITE A FRIEND ROUND, COULD THERE BE 15 PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE AT ANY ONE TIME!, WILL YOU EVER BE ABLE TO SLEEP, RELAX! OR GO TO THE BATHROOM!!??
5. MEET THE LANDLORD AS IT IS HE/SHE THAT WILL SORT OUT PROBLEMS IN THE PROPERTY IF ANY ARISE. IT IS NOT ALWAYS GOOD TO DEAL WITH AN AGENT OR ESTATE AGENT AS THE AGENT HAS TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE LANDLORD TO GET A JOB DONE (AND SPEND MONEY!), AND SOMETIMES THE LANDLORD SITTING ON THE BEACH ABROAD (!!??) MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN YOUR PROBLEM!!
6. READ THE CONTRACT YOU HAVE TO SIGN BEFORE MOVING IN .. I WAS AMAZED TO READ THAT A SOUTH LONDON LETTING AGENT CHARGED ONE OF MY EX TENANTS £160.00 TO TYPE OUT A 19 PAGE STANDARD CONTRACT THAT THEY HAD ON THEIR COMPUTER!! .. AND THAT THE TENANT WAS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL CLEANING OF THE CARPETS, CURTAINS AND UPHOLSTERY BEFORE THEY MOVE OUT OF THE PROPERTY!!, AND THAT THE TENANT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPKEEP OF ALL PLANTS ON THE PREMISES! ... PLUS THE ESTATE AGENT IS GETTING ANYTHING UP TO 12% OF THE RENT YOU PAY ON TOP OF ALL THAT! ... THE AGENT WILL BE NAMED & SHAMED IN THE FUTURE!
7. DO NOT BE RIPPED OFF BY ESTATE AGENTS WHO CHARGE YOU FOR REFERENCES .. I HAVE HEARD OF ESTATE AGENTS CHARGING TENANTS £80.00 PER PERSON TO GET REFERENCES FOR YOU. WHY SHOULD THEY CHARGE YOU WHEN THE LANDLORD PAYS THEM COMMISSION ANYWAY (UP TO 12% OF THE RENT) TO FIND A TENANT!
8. AN INTERESTING SITE, SAID TO BE THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF LONDON, IS: www.golondon.com DEFINATELY WORTH A VISIT!
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