Moving to UK can be quite exciting but in order to feel like home and completely settle in you need a place of your own, no matter how big or small, some place you can call home and live comfortably in. But how do you go about finding the perfect place for you to live in? Read on to find out how.
Before you can proceed to start living in your cost little home there are certain factors that will you get the right place in no time
Apartments can be nice, cozy and cost effective. There might be some added amenities for those living in society/complexes. Of course apartments can have other tenants to deal with too. They can get congested and may feel less like home after some time
When you have answers to all these questions then begins the actual search for the house. Google of course is going to be your most reliable friend here. There are actually two methods of doing this online searching or searching via Real estate agents. With Online websites you will be able cover more areas, view pictures and stay up to date should a property show up. Real estate agents maybe slightly expensive but it's kind of sure shot way at times to get what you need. Narrow down your preferred locations head over to Rightmove or Zoopla apply the desired filters and start searching. Remember things always look great in pictures so of course you need to view them with your own eyes no matter what. The best thing is mostly all the viewings are free but you need to book them in advance. The problem is most viewings are between 9am - 5pm so chances are very grim during weekdays if you are at work during those hours which leaves us with the weekends which can be over booked if it's a popular property. The key is to book in early and schedule multiple different property viewings in one day so you can cover lots of ground. Remember properties go fast so act fast. But not too fast. Have a look at around yourself, explore the area, the local amenities, crime rate, consult your family, friends to know more about the area. Once you have decided on a property the hard part comes in. Landlords and the Letting companies!
The letting companies usually are the ones that deal between you the tenant and the landlord. These companies advertise the properties, handle the viewings and work out a contract between tenants and Landlords. That's quite a job and of course they don't do it for free. Only the viewings are free after that you are charged at every step. So say you selected the property, you will then inform the agent that you want this property. You will then have to pay a holding fees while the paperwork carries out. This fee maybe deducted from your initial deposit so that you have to pay less deposit. Then the letting company carries out or hires a company for reference and credit check on each of the person that will be staying in that property. A fee is charged separately for each person and it is non refundable. Usually these references check comes back as PASS, FAIL, PASS with Conditions. In PASS with Conditions you may need another person who can give guarantee that you will pay your dues on the time. A Guarantor fees will be charged for verifying that guarantor.
So what happens in these reference check? Basically they confirm your source of income, any previous issues or rent problems, credit history and whether you will be able to afford it. This is roughly estimated by using a formula. Your monthly gross salary needs to be at least 2.5 times the monthly rent or your gross annual salary would need to be atleast 30 times the monthly rent. Once your reference checks are sorted out and you have spent a good £300-£400 and waited quite some time. Only to find out that the landlord has refused your application. What? Why? And the money you spent on references and stuff? Sorry we can not refund that. Yes that can happen. So how to avoid that?
Well when you are confirming that interested in the property let the agent know briefly where you work, your salary, if you have recently moved to UK definitely let them know that and ask them to convey this to the landlord if they are happy then proceed with the references and stuff otherwise you can look for a different property. I got refused because the landlord would rent Asians! I know right? A bit racist. But Thank God I hadn't paid anything.
After all the paperwork has been sorted. You will have to pay an initial deposit that can vary from nothing to 2 months rent which is refundable. Think and read very carefully before signing the contract because you will be bound for that period of time usually minimum 6 months. Read the fine text and if you don't understand run it through with the letting agency or your relatives or friends.
There are new kind of online agencies which are taking over the physical ones. There process is alot quicker, cheaper and more secure, your deposit is kept in hold by the letting company. Everything is done online at your convenience you don't have to run down to the company again and again. Openrent is one of the largest online letting agency do give it a go it might help you get your perfect place.
Once deposit and the rent has been sorted out you will be given the keys also ask for the inventory list of the property and go through them with the agent. Any damage or worn out stuff should be pointed out so that you aren't charged for it at the end of the contract. There you go congratulations on getting your first very own place in the UK!
For further information and guidance please keep following this blog. And like and share this page
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Before you can proceed to start living in your cost little home there are certain factors that will you get the right place in no time
No of persons living
The foremost thing you must decide is how many people will be living with you. Will you be living with your significant other? Are you expecting? Do you already have children? Would any relatives be coming over from time to time?
No of Bedrooms
If you are more than 2 persons you at least need 2 bedrooms. Or if you want to live in a spacious place then you can increase the number.
House/Apartment
This is important because there are pros and cons of both but it comes down to your preferences.
Houses are definitely more spacious, it can give you some extra room to move around store your luggage. Have more privacy. An attached backyard and parking spot in some cases. Bills and council tax could be high though.Apartments can be nice, cozy and cost effective. There might be some added amenities for those living in society/complexes. Of course apartments can have other tenants to deal with too. They can get congested and may feel less like home after some time
Furnished/ part Furnished/ Unfurnished?
Another big question. This actually depends how long will you be moving on for. If it's for a short duration then furnished could be your option provided that the furniture is worth paying for otherwise if you want to make your home more personal or just can't stand using landlord's primitive furniture which can barely stand up but can cost you fortune should you damage it. Then of course buy what you please and decorate your home on your own terms.
Location
This factor can single handedly make or Break your deal. Whether you want it near your workplace, your parents place, in a posh area, near your community, around some big stores or near some mouth watering food streets. Or you could be some serious parents looking for some good schools or nurseries.
Personal preference
And everything boils down to this you might find the perfect place but somehow your heart isn't set on it then you would never be able to make a home out of that property.
Budget
Let's face it ultimately the cost of property can shatter your dream of that perfect place. But that's the ground reality and it needs to be faced. So yes work out a budget that will you to allow you to maintain a lifestyle after you done paying your rent and bills. Remember that while making your budget make sure you add the council tax to your monthly rent it's fixed and needs to be paid every month. It depends on which band your property is the higher it is the more you have to pay. So consider this as part of your rent to avoid issues in your budget later on.
When you have answers to all these questions then begins the actual search for the house. Google of course is going to be your most reliable friend here. There are actually two methods of doing this online searching or searching via Real estate agents. With Online websites you will be able cover more areas, view pictures and stay up to date should a property show up. Real estate agents maybe slightly expensive but it's kind of sure shot way at times to get what you need. Narrow down your preferred locations head over to Rightmove or Zoopla apply the desired filters and start searching. Remember things always look great in pictures so of course you need to view them with your own eyes no matter what. The best thing is mostly all the viewings are free but you need to book them in advance. The problem is most viewings are between 9am - 5pm so chances are very grim during weekdays if you are at work during those hours which leaves us with the weekends which can be over booked if it's a popular property. The key is to book in early and schedule multiple different property viewings in one day so you can cover lots of ground. Remember properties go fast so act fast. But not too fast. Have a look at around yourself, explore the area, the local amenities, crime rate, consult your family, friends to know more about the area. Once you have decided on a property the hard part comes in. Landlords and the Letting companies!
The letting companies usually are the ones that deal between you the tenant and the landlord. These companies advertise the properties, handle the viewings and work out a contract between tenants and Landlords. That's quite a job and of course they don't do it for free. Only the viewings are free after that you are charged at every step. So say you selected the property, you will then inform the agent that you want this property. You will then have to pay a holding fees while the paperwork carries out. This fee maybe deducted from your initial deposit so that you have to pay less deposit. Then the letting company carries out or hires a company for reference and credit check on each of the person that will be staying in that property. A fee is charged separately for each person and it is non refundable. Usually these references check comes back as PASS, FAIL, PASS with Conditions. In PASS with Conditions you may need another person who can give guarantee that you will pay your dues on the time. A Guarantor fees will be charged for verifying that guarantor.
So what happens in these reference check? Basically they confirm your source of income, any previous issues or rent problems, credit history and whether you will be able to afford it. This is roughly estimated by using a formula. Your monthly gross salary needs to be at least 2.5 times the monthly rent or your gross annual salary would need to be atleast 30 times the monthly rent. Once your reference checks are sorted out and you have spent a good £300-£400 and waited quite some time. Only to find out that the landlord has refused your application. What? Why? And the money you spent on references and stuff? Sorry we can not refund that. Yes that can happen. So how to avoid that?
Well when you are confirming that interested in the property let the agent know briefly where you work, your salary, if you have recently moved to UK definitely let them know that and ask them to convey this to the landlord if they are happy then proceed with the references and stuff otherwise you can look for a different property. I got refused because the landlord would rent Asians! I know right? A bit racist. But Thank God I hadn't paid anything.
After all the paperwork has been sorted. You will have to pay an initial deposit that can vary from nothing to 2 months rent which is refundable. Think and read very carefully before signing the contract because you will be bound for that period of time usually minimum 6 months. Read the fine text and if you don't understand run it through with the letting agency or your relatives or friends.
There are new kind of online agencies which are taking over the physical ones. There process is alot quicker, cheaper and more secure, your deposit is kept in hold by the letting company. Everything is done online at your convenience you don't have to run down to the company again and again. Openrent is one of the largest online letting agency do give it a go it might help you get your perfect place.
Once deposit and the rent has been sorted out you will be given the keys also ask for the inventory list of the property and go through them with the agent. Any damage or worn out stuff should be pointed out so that you aren't charged for it at the end of the contract. There you go congratulations on getting your first very own place in the UK!
For further information and guidance please keep following this blog. And like and share this page
www.facebook.com/mtiviacpsp
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