Private rental - what do we need to do?

[Bryonyberries]

My daughter and her partner have just been accepted on a private rental.

What do we need to remember?

I’ve got things like utility swap, supermarket for food shop etc. she will need to buy all the essentials.

They will only be able to register with the current utility supplier initially and then swap if they wish. Contact the local council regarding council tax. Change addresses with GP, dentist, ebay, vinted, amazon, employers. Set up contents insurance.

Do a post redirection with Royal Mail, details are online. If they are in receipt of certain benefits this can be at a reduced rate.

Check that the landlord has put the deposit in a tenancy deposit scheme.
Take photos of the state of the place on moving in day so if the landlord claims that they have damaged stuff then they have photos of how the place was left before they took it on.

Go round with the inventory report make sure it accurately describes the property and if not take photos and email them to the agent with details. DD’s inventory said the bathroom radiator was free from rust - the entire bottom of it was rusty we got this changed.

Take meter readings as soon as they get there so they only pay for the gas and electric that they use.

I'm sorry if this comes across as rude but I don't really understand this post. Surely if your daughter is old enough and mature enough to move in with her partner, she is also more than mature enough to understand that she needs to buy herself some food. Sure you can remind her to check that the inventory is accurate and remind her to check the meter readings but I don't think it's helpful for parents to get over involved in these things which are a normal part of growing up. How will young people ever learn otherwise?

Because she has asked for guidance? Why wouldn’t I help? She’s only 19 and it is her first home.

Are they still in nursery?

Wifi, tv licence, council tax, utility bills, know where stopcock and electric consumer unit is, cleaning tips, bin and recycling, garden maintenance, how to change a lightbulb, sort washing loads. Just how little have they been taught?!

Take readings of meters on the first day - take a photo of these.

Take photos of the property and any imperfections - so there are no disputes when they come to leave the property. You’ll be supplied an inventory usually - I am a landlord and I supply these.

Check all equipment supplied to make sure it is working and report any that is not - I mean kitchen equipment… not lightbulbs

Set up with the local council for council tax. There will usually be a letter waiting at the property with details what to do.

Energy suppliers - same as above.

Make sure she has the following from the landlord or agent; Copy of rental agreement, Inventory (and request any changes within the specified timeframe) EPC, gas safety certificate, Electrical Inspection Safety Certificate, Details of DPS and prescribed information (within 30 days), Operating instructions for key appliances (cooker, boiler, shower etc), a copy of the Government "Right to Rent" booklet, two complete sets of keys and keys for any window locks

Just to clarify it isn’t running the home she wanted guidance on. More start point when first moving in. Thank you to those with helpful replies. We did have most of those and I’ve added a couple of points to the list.

I haven’t privately rented in over 20 years and I know a lot of regulations etc have changed in that time. There wasn’t the deposit scheme, for example. They are young and just don’t want them to make a silly error through inexperience. Most parents help out when youngsters first move into student housing for uni, not sure how this is different?

Completely agree with this! They should be figuring it all out for themselves and if struggling, assume they are capable of using Google or ChatGPT to help?

You sound like a very caring parent. Having a food shop bought by you to start them off is a very caring gesture.

Ignore the "nobody helped me so let her Google it" crowd.

Mmm...wouldn't it be nice if we could at least leave some of life not up to Google or AI? What's wrong with a parent wanting to be supportive? I'd much prefer to hear a 19 yo starting out asked Mum or Dad for tips or guidance than a bot. OP is only reaching out herself because as she's said she hasn't privately rented for 20 years and yes lots of things have changed. Goodness help us when even this basic niceness in life is gone.

A bit unnecessary.

If they drive, update driving licences and V5 documents to their new address. There's a lot to think about when moving house, especially for the first time, so I can't understand why people think it's unreasonable to help their child (no matter how old they are) out with such a big life event.

Nothing in the slightest bit wrong with parents wanting to be supportive. That's a good thing. I do think, however, that some parents think they are helping but are actually infantilising young adults (obviously, assuming no SEN). Sometimes learning involves making mistakes, hopefully minor ones. There have a few similar threads on here, often involving the adult DC buying rather than renting, where the OP asks 'what shall we do'? For me, that is very over involved. If the young adult is old enough to rent or buy, they should be mature enough to not need their parents managing the whole process for them. Advice is fine but not taking over to that degree imo.

Take photos of everything that might come up when they move out even scuffed walls. Get everything in writing

They get the keys next weekend. I’m a mix of excited, apprehensive and will miss her loads. They’ve been brilliant at sorting it all out themselves, such as the financial part and references etc with just a little help in the way of suggestions.

It is stopping myself buying loads of house stuff for them that is the difficult bit! (They need everything from scratch). That is the bit they will enjoy doing themselves and making a home.

Is there a garden? Check in the lease what the LL is responsible for and if there are a lawnmower etc supplied. When I moved into my first private rental there was a garden and I am not into gardening. Also there were trees which would have required special maintennce. So I made an arrangement with the LL to supply a gardener once a month. Take photos or garden/exterior as well as interior (if included). Make sure they have enough bins and know when bin days are.

There is a garden but it is all paved so they only have to worry about the weeds creeping around the edges rather than mowing etc.

-Get utility contracts (gas, electricity, water) and council tax in their name. Check if there are meters and give a reading as soon as they move in to the utility companies
-post redirection from their old address
-give their bank, phone provider, TV licence and workplace their new address
-make sure you get proof that the deposit is protected in an independent scheme
-set up direct debit for rent payment
-estate agent or landlord needs to provide gas safety certificate and electricity certificate to confirm everything is safe and works properly
-take pictures of the inside of the property, especially if there are any existing stains/damage so they can't be blame by the landlord when for them when their tenancy ends
-check where the stopcock is so they know how to turn off the water if there are any leaks
-get wifi/internet set up.

I wish them good luck and ignore the people who are saying that you are too involved. Private renting can be a minefield and it is perfectly fine that you want to offer your support.

Make sure they take pictures of any damages within the property to make sure they are not held accountable for them when they leave.

The above is important. Slimy estate agents and landlords will try to rinse tenants by claiming anything they can from their deposit even if the damage wast there on commencement of the tenancy. Think of them as being on the same ethical level as those car hire firms. If there are weeds poking up in the courtyard garden then they should leave it in the same state. similarly any broken flags, marks chips or stains on walls, carpets, window frames etc.

I would also advise them to remain polite but distant from neighbours who can be whining snitches if they know you are renting and they are in debt to the bank (otherwise known as paying a mortgage). I had never come across this snobbish attitide til I moved into a private rental. Dont ever tell neighbours your business (financial) give them your phone number or email address. High walls make for good neighbour relationships.