How to secure a home to rent in the current climate

By the Beresfords Marketing Team - 10th November 2011

Beresfords are currently witnessing an unprecedented level of demand for homes, with prospective buyers turning to rented property as a more flexible option than buying.

However, although the rental market is highly competitive, it is still possible to find the ideal home, if the search is carried out in a thorough, well-informed and realistic manner.

Here are our recommendations on how to secure a rental property this summer.

Before booking viewings, set in place key 'deal breakers' as well as areas for compromise. Knowing what things you're willing to be flexible on can aid the decision-making process and help your agent select properties to suit your specific needs.

With the best properties often being let quickly, it is important to be able to make a swift and informed decision. However, it's even more important not to feel pressured into accepting a property that does not fit your agreed standards, quick decisions are different to rushed decisions.

As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, which is why it can be useful to bring a friend or family member along to any viewings for that crucial second opinion. Further to this, using an agent can make the process easier. Licensed ARLA members have industry leading market knowledge and are regulated, giving you complete peace of mind.

If you are moving to a new part of town, check it out on foot to get a feel of the area before you begin your search. It is also a good idea to conduct online research into average rents for the area early on to build up a picture of likely prices and adjust your own expectations, or budget accordingly.

If possible, try to get your references and deposit ready before beginning your search, to minimise delays once you have found the property you wish to rent.

For information on the latest available properties to rent visit www.beresfordsgroup.co.uk or contact your local office.