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TENANTS: SECURING A RENTAL PROPERTY A new survey of ARLA members also suggests that overall demand is outstripping supply for rental properties. During the first three months of the year, 56% of ARLA members' offices reported that there were more house-hunting tenants than there were properties available for them, but this may be a mixed picture across the UK with pockets of high demand. Ian Potter, ARLA Operations Manager said: "In many parts of the country our members are seeing an unprecedented level of demand for rental homes. However, although the rental market is highly competitive, it is still possible to find that ideal home - if the search is carried out in a thorough, well-informed and realistic manner." ARLA's guide for house-hunters looking to secure a rental property is: Work out your priorities Before booking viewings, set in place key 'deal-breakers' as well as areas for compromise, and agree these with your partner or house-mates. Knowing what things you are willing to be flexible on can aid the decision-making process and help your agent select properties to suit your specific needs. Don't go it alone A problem shared is a problem halved, which is why it can be useful to bring a friend or family member along to any viewings for that crucial second opinion. Further to this, using an agent can make the process easier. Licensed ARLA members have industry-leading market knowledge, and are regulated, giving you access to client money protection and a redress scheme as well as an informed opinion. Be prepared to make a prompt decision With the best properties often being let quickly, it is important to be able to make a swift and informed decision. However, it is even more important not to feel pressured into accepting a property that does not fit your agreed standards Get a flavour of the local market If you are moving to a new area, check it out on foot to get a feel for it before you begin your search. It is also a good idea to conduct on line research early on into the average rents for the area to build up a picture of likely prices and adjust your own expectations, or budget, accordingly. Get your own house in order If possible, try to get your references and deposit ready before beginning your search. This will help to minimise delays once you have found the property you wish to rent.

Renting a property, advice to tenants

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Page 1: Renting a property, advice to tenants

TENANTS: SECURING A RENTAL PROPERTY

A new survey of ARLA members also suggests that overall demand is outstripping supply for rental properties. During the first three months of the year, 56% of ARLA members' offices reported that there were more house-hunting tenants than there were properties available for them, but this may be a mixed picture across the UK with pockets of high demand.

Ian Potter, ARLA Operations Manager said: "In many parts of the country our members are seeing an unprecedented level of demand for rental homes. However, although the rental market is highly competitive, it is still possible to find that ideal home - if the search is carried out in a thorough, well-informed and realistic manner."

ARLA's guide for house-hunters looking to secure a rental property is:

Work out your priorities Before booking viewings, set in place key 'deal-breakers' as well as areas for compromise, and agree these with your partner or house-mates. Knowing what things you are willing to be flexible on can aid the decision-making process and help your agent select properties to suit your specific needs.

Don't go it alone A problem shared is a problem halved, which is why it can be useful to bring a friend or family member along to any viewings for that crucial second opinion. Further to this, using an agent can make the process easier. Licensed ARLA members have industry-leading market knowledge, and are regulated, giving you access to client money protection and a redress scheme as well as an informed opinion.

Be prepared to make a prompt decision With the best properties often being let quickly, it is important to be able to make a swift and informed decision. However, it is even more important not to feel pressured into accepting a property that does not fit your agreed standards

Get a flavour of the local market If you are moving to a new area, check it out on foot to get a feel for it before you begin your search. It is also a good idea to conduct on line research early on into the average rents for the area to build up a picture of likely prices and adjust your own expectations, or budget, accordingly.

Get your own house in order If possible, try to get your references and deposit ready before beginning your search. This will help to minimise delays once you have found the property you wish to rent.

Page 2: Renting a property, advice to tenants

PRIVATE SECTOR TENANT ADVISE

Here is information on the main tenancy agreement used, being served a notice to vacate your property and information about tenancy deposit schemes.

Tenancy Agreements

Most private rented properties are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST). Any tenancy created after 28th Feb 1997 will be an AST. The initial fixed term of these is normally 6 months but can be anything over that. Once the fixed term expires it would roll into a contractual periodic tenancy that runs indefinitely from one rent period to the next. Your rent period is the time between your rent payments. For example if your rent payment is monthly and is due on the 15th of the month then the rent period will run from the 15th of that month to the 14th of the following month.

Section 21 Notices The Housing Act 1988 allows recovery of possession of the property at the end of the fixed term. The notice must be properly drafted with the following: Must be in writing. Must state "possession required under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988". Must give a notice period of at least two months. If the fixed term has not expired then the notice cannot expire before the end of the fixed term. If you do not give up possession then your landlord must go to Court and apply for a Court Order. It should also be noted that if the landlord is required to register a deposit and hasn't done so they cannot use the Section 21 notice to gain possession.

Tenancy Deposit Schemes Any landlord receiving monies as a deposit must register it with one of the three government appointed schemes under the Housing Act. These are: The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) My deposits — insurance based The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

Within 30 days of receiving a deposit the landlord or agent must give the tenant the details about how their deposit is protected including: the contact details of the tenancy deposit scheme selected: the landlord or agent's contact details: how to apply for the release of the deposit: information explaining the purpose of the deposit: what to do if there is a dispute about the deposit:

At the end of the tenancy: if an agreement is reached about how the deposit should be divided, the landlord or agent returns all or some of the deposit: if there is a dispute, the landlord must hand over the disputed amount to the scheme for safekeeping until the dispute is resolved: if for any reason the landlord fails to comply, the insurance arrangements will ensure the return of the deposit to the tenant if they are entitled to it.