Renting privately advice please

[Gottabesomethingbetterthanthis]

Afternoon!

We've finally found a house to rent, thank God!!!, however could anyone provide some info as to what payments will be required.

Why I ask is because normally we've rented through letting agents and the process is usually clear with them but now we're going with a private landlord.

Due to our situation and the crazy lack of rentals (30+ people in a queue to view a tiny 2 bed terrace etc., or agencies aren't taking any more viewings), we have had to get a property one month in advance of our planned moving date otherwise there could be a high chance of not getting anything in the time we have left before we move from our current flat on 25th September.

New landlord has asked for a month's deposit (in other words, pay August's rent as we're basically renting it from now... ).
I assume he'll then want a tenancy deposit (which will be refundable upon leaving the property). Anything else ££ he'll ask for?

Also, who's responsible for the bills and council tax for the month we're not physically there? When do we start paying these, from now or when we actually move in?

Thanks,

You are responsible from when you sign the tenancy.

Ring the Council tax department and ask them to date your first bill from the day you move in. You should not be paying for an unoccupied property.

You are responsible for the council tax and utility from the day the tenancy agreement starts so you need to set them up now even if you aren't there. When we last rented it was 1.5 months rent as tenancy deposit. The law recently changed over how much they are legally allowed to charge- check the shelter website for details but its good news. I once rented a place where they wanted 4.5x the rent as the deposit

We'll take the tenancy on on 28th August, and move in on 25th September - wasn't going to work any other way due to lack of properties and with hubby starting a job beg October and giving notice on our current flat, we had to get somewhere and time was running out.

Anyway, he only asked for a deposit, which we've now paid, and then we'll sign the tenancy and get keys next Saturday and pay him the month's rent.

Thanks for the advice ref bills etc. I'll get the husband to sort that out as I'll have enough to do!

If it all goes tits-up meantime.. not too much ££ lost but a big lesson learned but fingers crossed all will go fine.

The deposit needs to be register with a deposit scheme - this is true whether it’s private or via an agent and must be done within a certain time, only the equivalent of max. 5 weeks deposit can be requested.

You will be responsible for the CT, water and power from day one of the tenancy whether you’re there or not.

@ForThePurposesOfTheDIR

The deposit needs to be register with a deposit scheme - this is true whether it’s private or via an agent and must be done within a certain time, only the equivalent of max. 5 weeks deposit can be requested.

You will be responsible for the CT, water and power from day one of the tenancy whether you’re there or not.

He requested 1 month's rent as deposit which he'll register with the DPS. I'll check it's done in time, thank you!