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You have decided to rent a property - But what next?

The maze of paperwork, negotiations, dealing with removal companies and utility providers combined with actually hunting down your dream property is enough to make anyone's hair stand on end.

Moving home can be a lengthy and complicated business, which while exciting is often fraught with stress and worry. Luckily there is a lot of good advice around helping you to make your home-moving experience as easy and problem-free as possible.

It is important to have a good understanding of the process, as it will help you to avoid some of the most common hazards along the way.

Never use a Lettings agent that is not a member of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

If the agent is an ARLA member, your money will automatically be protected against fraud by the agent and in the event of them going out of business. As you would expect OliverFinn are not just full members, we are licensed members for your complete protection.

Make sure your agent is signed up to DPS

All of our Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST's) deposits are held by the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), which is the Governments own custodial scheme. At OliverFinn we aren't interested in making a few pennies in interest from your deposit at the expense of your money not being completely protected. This is not mandatory practice in our industry so be on your guard. If an agent wants to hold your money, ask yourself why and what type of agents are they.

Have a wish-list but be prepared to compromise

Before contacting Lettings agents, it is advisable to create a list of desirable features and what you actually need from your new home. If you create a huge list of needs, you will probably find that very few or probably no properties fit your criteria. Prepare to adapt your desires but remain rigid on your needs.

Do you need that extra bedroom or is it just a benefit if you have the extra space. Just this simple question can make a huge change to the type and quality of property you are offered.

Check your finances

As soon as you have your short list, you are ready to start your search. Enter your number of bedrooms and desired location into one of the major property websites leaving an open price field (From £0 per week to £5000 per week) that way you will be able to see how much it is likely to cost in current market conditions to rent using your needs whilst omitting your desires. Adjust the basics until you begin to see properties that you like. It may be that you won't be able to get that extra room in order to live 5 minutes from the tube.

View your shortlisted properties

Now you have a list of needs and a price band you are ready for the exiting part - contacting us and arranging viewings. Each property should fulfil all of your needs and as many of your desires as possible. Using this formula, you will begin to see the wood from the trees.

Be proactive

Use the major portals as your daily update of new properties by registering with them. That way you will see exactly what is new on the market without relying purely on Lettings agents to contact you.

At OliverFinn, we pride ourselves on customer contact however; you will find that some Lettings agents do not seem to think that you are their priority. At OliverFinn you can choose how we keep you updated; telephone call, email you a PDF brochure or SMS you of every new property that meets your needs so you can be sure to be kept up to speed of new instructions.

Trust and support your chosen lettings agent

Typically, you will contact about 20 different Lettings agents during the process of renting; you will find that 2 or 3 of them will stand out of the crowd. In our experience, you will probably rent from one of these 'chosen few'. Select your favourites and try to build a relationship of trust with them. You will find that Lettings agents are very useful for information throughout the process. Let's not forget that we have been through the process thousands of time. Without doubt, we can help reduce any stress by managing the process on your behalf but we can't do that without your trust and support.

Be realistic about your moving date

Once you have found your new home you will need to allocate some time to review and complete application forms, legal paperwork and arrange for money to be in all of the right places to enable you to move in when you want. It is important to set time goals to complete each stage as if left to others; the renting process can take longer than you think.

Get the advice, service and support you deserve

Please be assured that we are here to help at each and every step of the way. Yes, we make money when you rent from us so we are always looking to rent you something but we completely understand that you will only rent from us if we provide you with the service and advice you deserve.

At OliverFinn we sincerely look forward to being of service

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