AGENCIES AND VIEWINGS Agencies You can approach and

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AGENCIES AND VIEWINGS

AGENCIES AND VIEWINGS

Agencies • You can approach, and register with, as many agencies as you like

Agencies • You can approach, and register with, as many agencies as you like - but ask around at college to find out other people's experiences of different agencies • You should never be charged to register with an agency just to look for property - if you are, then walk away. • You should expect, however, to pay an arrangement fee when you sign a contract - this (supposedly) covers the cost of credit searches, taking up references etc

Who is carrying out the Maintenance • You need to find out if your

Who is carrying out the Maintenance • You need to find out if your agent is LETTING the property you are interested in, or MANAGING it. • A Letting Agent is employed by a landlord to find tenants, but once that is done, they have nothing more to do with it. This is fine if you have a local landlord with a good reputation, but not so great if your heating breaks down and your landlord lives in Wales

Managing Agent • A Managing Agent is paid by the landlord to look after

Managing Agent • A Managing Agent is paid by the landlord to look after the property for them, so that if something needs to be fixed around the house, it is the agent that you get in touch with. • This can be very convenient with a good agency, but this is where it is really important to research the agency's reputation before you commit.

Owned and Let Properties • Some agencies own and let out their own properties

Owned and Let Properties • Some agencies own and let out their own properties - in theory this should mean they will be on hand for any problems, but once again, their reputation is all important.

Viewings • Viewings can be a bit hectic, particularly if the agent is choosing

Viewings • Viewings can be a bit hectic, particularly if the agent is choosing to show more than one group around at a time, and it is important to make sure you leave with as much concrete information as possible, rather than just a general impression. • So TAKE PAPER AND A PEN, and write down the positives and negatives. You might want to make notes on- what furniture is included, and what belongs to the current tenants, have a look at window frames and external doors to see how draughty things will be in winter, run the taps - and flush the loo! Its unlikely that it won't work at all, but if its super noisy and next to a bedroom, its something to bear in mind

Floor Plans and Evidence • Check whether the agent minds if you take photos

Floor Plans and Evidence • Check whether the agent minds if you take photos - if you can, they will be a good aide memoir. • Ask the agent if they can give you a floor plan, or if you can print one off their website. This is particularly important once you have committed to a house: if you know how big rooms actually are, rather than how you remember them, you can confidently know whether your stuff will fit. It so means that if the rooms are radically different sizes, you can accurately decide if the rent should be split unevenly to reflect who has the best room!