Updated: 22 September 2022
Our guidance to help you through the process of finding your next home:
Budgeting
Prior to starting to look for rented accommodation it is important to budget carefully and calculate what monthly rental you will be able to afford. When doing this exercise you will need to consider the additional costs of council tax, utilities, such as gas and electric, together with any telecommunication or TV packages, including a TV licence as these facilities are rarely included within the asking rental. Goadsby also recommend that your net salary is at least 2.5 times the monthly rental and that this ratio is considered in light of any additional monthly commitments you have, i.e car loans, insurance, student loans etc.
Property Type
When you are choosing a property it is important to think about what type of property suits your lifestyle; a requirement of a family with young children may include the need for a garden or for the property to lie within the catchment of a preferred school, whereas the requirement of a single professional might be more influenced by commuting cost or the proximity to leisure and recreation facilities and therefore such tenants may prefer a town centre location. If you have a car or even two the availability, or additional cost of parking will be very important. Your needs for furnishings or appliances are also worth considering prior to registering your interest with local agents.
How to get ahead of the rest
The demand and competition for rented accommodation is strong and therefore it is essential to be prepared.
- Register with Goadsby in advance. Pop in to the local branch and meet the team. Make sure you are as specific as possible as to what you want (and don’t want!) so we are able to find your perfect property.
- Start looking in good time – Properties are advertised ahead of when they are available and the popular properties will get secured in advance.
Viewing & Securing a Property
When you have decided which properties make the shortlist Goadsby will organise a viewing for you. Please be advised you, or your representative, must view the property before an offer can be put forward.
Once you have agreed to proceed with a property you will be expected to complete an application form and therefore to speed up this process it is recommended that you have all the required details to hand – 6 months’ bank statements, 6 months’ pay slips, contact for your employers HR department, your current landlord or agents and a copy of your ID (passport and if required residents visa) and a latest utility bill.