Renting your home can be full of potential pitfalls so we've rounded up nine things tenants need to know to help avoid a financial disaster.
Having spent most of my adult years as a tenant, I've had my share of bad experiences - landlords snooping around my bedroom, flatmates breaking contracts and worst of all, a mice infestation!
On top of all that, there are insurance and gas and electricity bills to consider. Here are our nine tips that should make life a little easier for tenants.
Once you have decided on a property, it might be worth negotiating to see if you can get a better deal on your rent.
Remember, the landlord may be keen to fill the property and accept a lower offer than the advertised rate. In fact, I once got £100 knocked off the monthly rent by trying my luck.
If you're using an estate agent, remember to ask about their fees. If you don't, you could end up with a whopping expense on top of your moving costs. I've forked out as much as £300 in the past.
2. Bills are everyone's responsibility
If you're renting with other people, it's a good idea to have a system in place to manage household bills.
If one person is constantly paying more than their fair share or chasing other people for money, it probably won't take long for resentment to set in.
You might want to thinking about setting up a current account dedicated to your bills and having each tenant transfer a set amount of money each month.
If you pay your bills by direct debit, you should always keep a healthy balance in the account in case a bill is higher than expected. If you go overdrawn, you could be hit with a fee. Otherwise, you might want to open an account with an overdraft facility so you're prepared for unexpected costs.
3. Don't rely on your landlord to insure you
You should never assume you will be covered by your landlord's existing insurance policy. Landlords are usually responsible for insuring the building and any fixtures but the tenant will need separate cover on items that belong to them.
Without contents insurance, you could lose everything you own should your home be flooded or broken into. You should check out Endsleigh Insurance can for a really competative quote on student and professional contents
4. Switch and save
When you move into your new digs, it could be a mistake to stick with the same gas and electricity providers the previous tenants used.
Utility companies' tariffs can vary enormously and you could potentially find a much more attractive deal elsewhere. In fact, you could save a massive £430* a year by finding a better deal on your gas and electricity suppliers. One of the easiest ways to shop around for gas and electricity suppliers is with an online price comparison site.
Remember you should always check the gas and electricity meter readings when you move in so you don't end up paying for a former tenant's usage.
In addition to utilities, it's also a good idea to hunt down the best deal on broadband and digital TV packages when you move into your new home.
5. Your deposit is protected by law
Some unscrupulous landlords seem to think they have a right to keep your deposit when you move out by pretending you have damaged the property when you have not.
To learn more, visit the Directgov website.
6. Inventories aren't always what they seem
It's crucial you make a thorough check of your landlord's inventory before you move into the property or shortly afterwards.
If something isn't in the condition your landlord has described, you should point this out as soon as possible. If you don't, your landlord could claim that you have caused the damage and attempt to deduct the cost of the repairs from your deposit.
It's also a good idea to take photographs to prove the condition of the property when you move in. These could be invaluable if you and the landlord have any disputes about damage to the property in the future.
7. Flatmates can let you down
A joint tenancy can be a huge commitment so you should make sure you trust the people you're sharing with.
If you have a joint tenancy, you will share responsibility for the rent. This means you could be left liable for the entire amount if your flatmate suddenly decides to move out or defaults on their share.
Before you move in, it's sensible to go through the contract with a fine tooth comb and find out what would happen if your flatmate did let you down.
8. You don't have to put up with nuisance landlords
Under the law, a tenant is entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' of the property without interference from the landlord. This means your landlord can't constantly come round without giving you suitable notice (usually 24 hours).
And if your landlord behaves in a threatening or aggressive way, you are entitled to report him or her for harassment.
9. There are people who can help
If you are having problem with your landlord or any aspect related to your tenancy, there are organisations that can offer you help.
The Citizens Advice Bureau can be an invaluable source of support and there are groups dedicated to helping people resolve their housing problems such as Shelter. Furthermore, many local councils have a support service for private tenants.
If you have any great tips you would like to share, that would be brilliant, why don't you leave a comment on the bottom. We will publish them on the next blog
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