Flat Rental Advice

by the way, don't underestimate gumtree. even if it is full of crappy ads there are some gems in there. i found my current flat on there after looking for weeks using the usual primelocation/rightmove/zoopla etc and suddenly this one popped up on gumtree and bingo it was mine (after haggling using the tactics i mentioned previously!). some property agencies put their newest properties up on gumtree first, then they hand out the info in person to customers, then finally they stick it on the normal online websites.
 
MisChief said:
I haven't negotiated anything so far. I went to view last night, the agent asked me what I thought of the flat and I said it was smaller than expected.
He could obviously tell that I wasn't 100% happy with it, as he emailed today saying 'if it makes any difference I think the landlord might accept £650'.. and I hadn't even suggested price or anything.
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My point was, if you want to go in at £600 do that but it sounded like you wanted to go in at £650 then if he accepted then try lower, which will obviously put someone's nose out of joint.
 
you could also offer a slightly longer contract term to help keep the rent down. e.g. offer 18 months instead of 12. only do this if you're sure the flat is right for you because you don't want to be stuck there forever if there's a problem. remember that the length of the contract is kind of meaningless to you because there should be a break clause in place. my current one is 18 months with a 12 month clause and 2 months' notice = 14 months minimum stay. it was attractive to the landlord and helped me keep the rent down. worth considering.

some further general advice:

1) get written proof that the landlord has deposited your deposit funds in a non-personal, non-business bank account, i.e. one that is nothing to do with the landlord's own personal affairs. our landlord killed himself a couple of months ago due to debts, and we found out he'd placed the money in one of his own (now bankrupt) accounts. So we lost our deposit. Ended up having to only pay 2 of the remaining 8 weeks' rent in order to avoid losing money. But we're now in a verbal fight with solicitors over the issue...

2) take hundreds of close-up photos of any mess/dirt/marks everywhere in the flat when you move in. even the slightest bit of minor damage that isn't mentioned in the check-in inventory can be charged back to you when you leave.

3) as above, check and double check that the inventory isn't missing anything, however minor you think it might be at the time. get it amended asap.

there are other things. if i remember them i'll edit this post

:)
 
Thanks for all the tips and advice mothermachine :)

I just had a look on gumtree and theres not much available in the area I'm looking at to be honest. I'm extremely fussy as well, which doesn't leave me with much choice!

I've just replied to the agents email and said again that the flat was smaller than expected, and that I doubt all my stuff would fit in the flat and would need to rent self storage (which is a lie!). I have asked for a 2nd viewing in the daytime so I can check out what the view is like from inside as well.
 
MisChief said:
Thanks for all the tips and advice mothermachine :)

I just had a look on gumtree and theres not much available in the area I'm looking at to be honest. I'm extremely fussy as well, which doesn't leave me with much choice!

I've just replied to the agents email and said again that the flat was smaller than expected, and that I doubt all my stuff would fit in the flat and would need to rent self storage (which is a lie!). I have asked for a 2nd viewing in the daytime so I can check out what the view is like from inside as well.
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no worries :) good luck! any questions ask here i'm sure either I or someone else will be able to help.

cheers,
 
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