 useful information about uk ::
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| Life in the UK : |
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Property : |
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| Renting Property |
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| Lease terms in the UK and most homes are rented through estate agents, who might also act as the property manager, but you can also find rental houses through the local papers. Before signing the contract the estate agent will ask for references from your bank, employer and previous landlord. Time can be saved if the agency goes through a credit agency that will check your records. |
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| Lease periods are generally 6 months or one year. If you think you might be breaking a lease within this period, it is best to add a clause making it possible for you to leave on one month's notice. |
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| Before signing the contract settle the following: |
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- What is the notice period for the tenant (and the landlord)? This can be one month depending on the type of contract or you may have to pay the remaining months of the tenancy.
- Before signing the lease, check with the landlord what changes (such as decoration) you can do to the house. Some landlords do not want you to change anything.
- Also check with him before you change your gas provider or other utility companies.
- When are rental increases applied (yearly?) and how are they calculated?
- How much is the deposit and what are the conditions for getting it back
when you leave the property?
- Usually appliances and curtains are included in unfurnished housing.
Make sure that you know what is included or not.
- What state does the garden have to be in when you leave the house?
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| The normal deposit is 1 to 2 months rent. Average rental contracts are 6 months to a year. It is important to receive a receipt for the deposit and a detailed description stating what it is for! There are many landlords and estate agents that will try to deduct a large sum of your deposit for any stain or scratch on the rental property that has occurred during your tenancy. You should also ask to have the deposit paid into a separate account (even though this is not legally required). |
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| Inventory |
| You should make a description of the condition of the house and its contents together with the landlord or the real estate agent. This description will include the cleanliness of the carpets, walls and so on and any repairs that need to be made. Make sure that you and the landlord agree on the condition that the property has to be in when you leave. The estate agent may ask a fee for this. |
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| It is best to have insurance for the contents of your home even though it is not always required. You can choose to be insured for the replacement value or the second hand value. Shop around for the best prices and ask people which insurance companies repay the quickest. |
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| The premium for theft insurance depends greatly on whether you live in a high-risk area and whether your home is secured against burglaries. |
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| Finding Accommodation |
There are plenty of published sources of information on flats and houses in each city. The classified sections in the daily local newspapers are good aids for locating and renting accommodation. You could also consult and take help from colleagues and friends to identify suitable neighbourhoods and locations. Living expenses could be reduced by sharing flats or houses with other people, perhaps working at the same place as you. |
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The Internet can be a great help when looking for accommodation. You can find a few sites that have online renting, or online searches, to find accommodation closest to you. |
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Flats and houses are normally fairly spacious and often come equipped with a refrigerator and oven (a dishwasher too, sometimes), and should be adequately heated in the winter. |
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| There are some things that you need to keep in mind while choosing accommodation: |
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- Decide how much you can pay, how many rooms you need
and where you want to live.
- Landlord and tenant laws vary, so always check up, and know your rights
before you sign anything.
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Most flats and houses are leased by the year, although some are rented monthly. If you are only going to be in the country for a short period, or intend to move on, then it may be worthwhile getting shared accommodation.
- You will probably have to pay the first month's rent in advance.
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You may also be asked for a damage deposit. This will normally be returned to you when you move out. It is a form of insurance for landlords in case a tenant causes unreasonable damage.
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Some flats and houses are larger than others. Ask the person you are renting from how many people can live in it.
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A furnished flat or house should contain at least bed(s), table(s), chairs, lamps, curtains and basic kitchen equipment.
- Furnished accommodation costs more than unfurnished accommodation
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You can buy a telephone or rent one from a telephone company. You may have to pay a deposit on your rented telephone. However your phone will not work until you are connected by the telephone company.
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| Your apartment will be equipped with basic utilities and features, including: |
- Water from taps that is safe to drink.
- Sewage disposal that pipes waste from bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
- Electricity.
- A heating system powered by natural gas, oil or electricity.
- A lockable front door opening to the street or a common hallway.
- A bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower or bath.
- Closets for storing clothes.
- A kitchen or kitchen area with a sink, counter, shelves or cupboards,
and appliances such as a refrigerator and a stove with oven.
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