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Where do I look for a place to live?
Once you have found a property you like, you should arrange to look at it as soon as possible. Take someone with you - for your own safety and to get another opinion.
What things should I think about before I rent a property?
- What condition is it in? Are the walls, floors and ceilings damaged? Are the fittings intact and working properly? Does the heating work properly? Is there damp and mould?
- How much will it cost you to rent? Does the rent include bills?
- How much is the council tax?
- Bills such as gas, water, electricity
- Agency fees
- How much rent can you afford? Do you need to claim extra benefits?
- What size property do you need? Are there enough rooms for everyone?
- What furniture is included?
- Fire safety
- Parking
- The landlord's rules. Are children allowed? Are pets allowed?
- Is the landlord accredited? Southampton City Council has a list of accredited landlords. An accredited landlord has usually signed up to an agreed level of service. Southampton City Council has a website, aroof4all.org, which advertises landlords who are accredited.
What things do I need when I rent a property?
If you decide to rent the property, you should sign an agreement with the landlord. You will need to:
Rights and responsibilities
Tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities. They are set out in your tenancy agreement. In addition, there are also legal responsibilities and rights.