Tips for renting

[RockyCreek]

DD looking for a flat to rent in a northern city. There seems to be an abundance of places to choose in all locations including many newly renovated.
She has a good job and we will be guarantors.
What to look out for, pitfalls?
Is it likely the rent is negotiable?
How long does the process take?
There is more choice of unfurnished than furnished and she doesn't mind buying second hand stuff.

If she has a job, she shouldn't need a guarantee. I'd be prepared to pay a deposit straight away - good places go fast! We've had to put a deposit down on the day of viewing twice before

Check that the deposit is going to put in an official deposit scheme

Oh yes I remember the deposit scheme from her student house.

Bad landlords and bad agents prey on clueless tenants so her first job is to get informed. If england, get the how to rent guide on gov.uk.and read.it. That tells her what landlords should do.

Do not be a guarantor if it is a house share.
Do not rent a dump, it won't improve.

That's a useful guide thanks special.
It's not a houseshare, she will be living on her own though we have guaranteed her student house shares before.
No intention of renting a dump. There seem to be a lot of nice, newly renovated flats in the area she's looking.

Good. The how to rent guide has to be.given to tenants when they move in but it is a bit late then. The legislation was screwed up so decent landlords can't give it any earlier, bad ones ignore anyway.

Remember epc, smoke.alarms, deposit protection, what happens when things need fixing, how long is the tenancy, gas safe if applicable, etc etc.

EPC?

As I said, get informed....

BTW there is someone on AIBU who rented a dump and is now surprised at what a dump it is. Don't be that person.

lying down and spreading legs gets you shafted. One day some on MN will work out cause and effect.

If she can afford to get her own furniture, rent unfurnished. Otherwise IME you end up with a combination of cheap rubbish that falls apart (and the tenant gets blamed!) and the landlord's saggy old sofa from when they upgraded 5 years ago.

Yes rent can be a bit negotiable