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When you are looking for a new place to rent, finding a good rental agent is as important as finding the right place for you. Most agents offer pretty much the same services, but there are a few things that should be kept in mind when searching for the rental agent to best meet your requirements.
If you've rented or bought property before, and the previous rental agents were satisfactory, then it would be a wise choice to stay with the same agents. But if this is your first time, then finding a good agent is very important.
Begin by setting up as many meetings as you possibly can with different agents at their offices. This way you should be able to get a feeling for the company.
Property law. Make sure that they are well clued up with current laws.
When the lease agreements are drawn up, allow your lawyer to examine the agreement first. This way you will know that you are well protected and have your rights as the lessee protected.
The biggest pitfalls lie in the legalities of the Letting and Rental Housing Act, so make sure your lawyers knowledge on this specific Act is top notch for your own benefit.
Request all the information the agent needs with regards to the screening process when they qualify tenants. What information they'll require from you, how they qualify a good tenant and how long this screening would take. There is nothing worse than waiting for confirmation that you have qualified for the lease.
The Tenant Profile Network (TPN) is normally used to qualifying tenants. If they do not know this system, then it would be advised to find a new rental agent.
ITC and other checks are made when applying and then periodically to unsure your information stays up to date. Request copies of these checks, if they deny you this information, chances are you are paying for these regular checkups which they are not in actual fact doing.
Ask whether they are keeping records of monthly rental payments and how the required payment is collected each month.
In connection with late payments, enquire what the penalties would be and what actions would be taken if you should, for whatever reason, not be able to pay your rent before or on the specified date.
Check to see that there is a service agreement in the lease agreement. If not, then request that one be drawn up. If they deny this, then you should be cautious of proceeding. Ask yourself why they do not want to have it on paper when they are in fact a service provider.
Inspections should be done before and after you move in and out of the premises. Request that the written reports be provided to you.
You need to confirm with them the procedure whenever any repairs have to be done on the premises.
It is a common fact that at one stage or another there will be disputes. You need to ask for examples of how they handled previous disputes. If they say that theyve never had any disputes or that any disputes they had were resolved, this should be taken as a warning sign.
And then lastly, ask for references. This way you would be sure that whatever services you will receive can be vouched for by people who have previously dealt with the agents. Previous clients may even be able to give you a tip or two if anything has gone wrong and how to handle it efficiently.
Don't be afraid to insist on the above details. It is well within your rights to request any information and this is the only way for you to sort through the riff raff in your search for a top notch agent. Dealing with a reliable rental agent can save you a buck or two at the end of the day.
This is your money after all, so you need to take care when spending it.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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