Archive for the ‘Property Rental’ Category
Flat Hunting for Young Families
Written by Dane Cross on behalf of One UK, a UK based estate agents who specialise in flats in Leeds.
Towards the close of summer, many leases will expire and the rush to find a new flat will begin. This article serves to assist flat-hunting families with children to maintain their sanity amidst the chaos and ultimately end up with a property to suit their needs without costing too much.
Research is the most important tool for a flat-hunting family. Once the basic needs are assessed (how many rooms are needed, the required furnishings and amenities etc.) then it’s time to begin looking for places in a locality that is amenable for children.
As most of us are aware, the location of the flat is as important the flat itself. Researching the surrounding area is an exceptionally important process for families concerned for their children’s education and cultural climate. Fortunately, there are many resources available for such inquiries. The Office for National Statistics offers residents in the UK generous information about things such as crime rate and the general affluence of cities and towns throughout the country. Estate agents are also a helpful resource in finding out information about areas that might be harder to quantify statistically, i.e. social climate, quality of school and quality of shopping.
The best source of information may be the most simple – word of mouth. If interested in a property in a town, don’t hesitate to ask the neighbours about the street or the town itself. This can be a great place to gain first-hand experience from other parents and families in the area. The current residents of your desired flat, if any, are also worthy resources, in particular about the property itself. They can also provide you with information about the landlord – is he/she flexible, fair and honest? Are they observant and punctual with repairs? They might also be a lot more forthcoming regarding a flat’s flaws than the landlord or the estate agent who might only see you as a sale.
Once a moderate amount of investigation has been undergone, and a property has been found, there are still things that you and your family ought to be aware of, as well as steps to be taken in order to protect you against future financial risk or injustice by your landlord. A very wise move to make when moving into a property is to immediately photograph every single nook and cranny of the property in order to document every bit of damage, regardless of how minor or trivial it might seem. This will insure you and your family against future charges or lost deposits. Ensure that you submit the photographs as soon as possible to the property management, making sure to keep copies for yourself. There are many cases of greedy and deceptive landlords so it’s always wise to take precaution than face the unpleasant consequences.
With that said, not all landlords are there to treat you unfairly, so try and maintain as healthy a relationship as possible with the owner of the property so that repairs can be made promptly when required, – also so that any issues regarding rent or other expenses can be negotiated reasonably and calmly. Make sure to empower yourself so you’re not taken for a ride by the landlord, but do not assume that they are an enemy because you pay them rent!
With the right amount of planning, investigation and patience, the right flat can be located for your family. If you are empowered enough through research and preparation, your living situation will fall into place with minimum hassle – even amidst the rush of flat season.
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