26 January 2018

How to find the perfect rental property

category

Insight

author

Georgia McPherson

share this

Trying to find a new home can be tricky, with lots of factors to consider before you make your decision. Here’s our advice on how to find a home that suits you.

When looking for a new place to live, consider the transport options. Use apps like Google Maps or City Mapper to find out your commute options and the time it will take to get between your work, university or school and the location you are looking to rent.

For example, Hackney is a very well-connected community, with Haggerston and Dalston Junction overground stations on your doorstep and the Cycle Superhighway running through the area.

You should also look for a community that suits you, which will depend on your situation. You might be looking for a quiet place with good nurseries, or for somewhere more vibrant with a great bar scene. Whatever it is you are looking for make sure you go to the area and get the feel for it or take a look around online at the things going on in the area.

Finally, you should evaluate your budget and make sure that you have sufficient funds to pay rent, all added bills and other fees associated with the house move.

So, how can you find the right property for you?

Direct search – whether you have seen an advert or a friend has recommended landlord or letting agency, go straight to their website and see what’s on offer. Don’t forget to take a look at their social media channels where you can learn more about them and the community too.

The property portals – large property websites, such as Zoopla, Rightmove or OnTheMarket, are another way to find the property in the area. You can refine the search based on your budget, availability and any other requirements you might have. You can also set property alerts that will notify you if the property at a particular price or location become available, bringing the options straight to your email inbox.

Private listings websites – these websites are used by some landlords with a smaller portfolio. Through these sites, you may get to meet the people you will potentially share the house with, which can be very helpful, and there may also be the options for short-term tenancies or even a house-swap. However, before agreeing to pay any money to listings on platforms like Gumtree or SpareRoom, ensure you do background research and confirm that all the details are accurate and true.

Landlord / letting agency – if you prefer a face-to-face service, visit some of the local landlords or letting agency offices to see which one you like best and what options they have. They might be able to offer you tailored lettings based on your preferences.

If you’re looking for rental properties in De Beauvoir, take a look at our available lettings here.