When you're looking for a place to rent, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure you're getting a good deal. Many people assume that most aspects of the rented property will be taken care of by the landlord, but that isn’t always the case. Often this can leave you with a large cost if you haven’t done your research properly before signing on the dotted line. There are many things that people don’t always consider when looking, but not to worry, we have the top three things you need to look for when finding a home to rent:

 

Council tax is a local tax paid by everyone living in a property. The amount of council tax you pay depends on the value of your property and the band it is in. You can find out what band your property is in by looking it up on the government website. We recommend that you look into council tax before moving into a property to work out your finances and budget appropriately.

 

When you're renting a property, you'll usually be responsible for paying your own bills, such as gas, electricity, water, and council tax. It's important to factor in the cost of these bills when you're working out how much you can afford to rent. Some landlords will offer for bills to be paid in with the rent. Whilst this may seem like a great deal you may want to make sure that you’re getting a fair deal and to see who pays what. However, it is not always the best idea to go with bills included as you may be able to find a cheaper deal somewhere else or you may be paying for more than you use.

 

If you're on a low income, you may be eligible for housing benefits. Housing benefit is a government payment that can help you to pay your rent. You can find out more about housing benefits on the government website. Housing benefits are there to help people and it's always worth checking how much you could be claiming. You can go online and easily check how much money you could be receiving and it is something everyone should at least check if they qualify for. All of our properties are open to applicants regardless of income status.

 

By considering these three things before you rent a property, you can make sure you're getting a good deal and that you can afford to live there comfortably.

 

If you have any questions about renting, you can view our rental process here. Or, give us a call at 01482 562 562 to talk to our expert team 📞