It can be incredibly tempting to jump in and sign on the dotted line to rent what seems like your perfect home.
Although there’s nothing wrong with loving the property that you have had your heart set on and have now viewed, it is important to know exactly what you are signing up for when you commit to the property agreement.
With our years of experience in finding tenants property to rent in Sutton Coldfield, we know our way around a tenancy agreement like the back of our hands. Here are 3 things that you should check out before signing for a rental property.
What Information Should Your Tenancy Agreement Include?
As a legally binding document, you must make sure that you check through the whole of the agreement before you sign, paying particular attention to whether the following essential information is included:
- The name of the tenant(s)- that’s you
- The address of the property that you will be renting in full
- The name and addresses of both the landlord and the letting agent
- Details of the rent- how it will be paid, when it is due to be paid and what charges are included or not included in the agreed rent total
- The duration of the agreement
- Details of the deposit, if one is required, and what it will cover.This will include what terms need to be adhered to in order to get the money back at the end of your tenancy, as well as which deposit protection scheme your landlord is using.
- The rules surrounding ending your tenancy.
All this information should be clearly stated within the agreement and should be read carefully to understand the terms of your tenancy.
Check the Contract Type
There are different contract types out there and it’s important to understand which one you will be signing your name to.
The majority of people who are renting from private landlord will be signing an assured shorthold tenancy which means that the only way a landlord can evict you is by following the correct eviction process and giving you an adequate amount of notice.
If you are moving into a property with other tenants already living there, then you may be signing a joint tenancy agreement which makes all the tenants responsible for the property and its condition and rent payments. In this case, it would be advised that each tenant signs a sub contact with the landlord which states that if any other tenant leaves, they can’t be liable to cover their payments.
Are You Provided With An Inventory?
An inventory of the property that you are about to rent will alert you to any furniture that will be provided, and the condition of the house in general by listing any existing damage that is in the house.
Make sure that you either get an inventory from the landlord, or create one before you move into the property and get the landlord to sign it after showing them proof of the items that you are mentioning. This way, you can’t be charged at the end of your agreement for any damage that was there before you moved in.
Tenancy agreements are incredibly important documents, and It is essential that you know what you are signing up for.
If you need help with finding a property to rent in Sutton Coldfield, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Belvoir. We will help you find the perfect home and guide you gently through the process of becoming a tenant- even talking you through your tenancy agreement if you need it.
Call us today on 0121 321 3388 and a member of our team will be happy to help you.
