Ask The Agent.
Richards is an independent Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen, specialising in residential properties for sale and rent as well as property management in Corfe Mullen, Wimborne and the surrounding areas.
Jason Spiers MNAEA, the owner of Richards Estate Agents, has been an agent for over 20 years.
Let us know any
questions you may have about moving and he’ll answer them for you.
Hi Jason,
I am about to rent a property for the fi rst time. As a tenant what responsibilities do I have?
Chris Blanden Hi Chris,
Renting a property does come with certain responsibilities. It’s important to know what these are, in order to ensure that you can enjoy life in your rented home to the full.
While some of these responsibilities are fairly universal in nature and application, others will vary from property to property. So, the best way to be absolutely clear about such matters is to go through the tenancy agreement before you sign it and make sure you understand them fully.
I’ve been helping tenants for many years and from my experiences here are some general tips:
• Contents Insurance
While landlords are normally responsible for insuring the building and any furnishings that come with it, tenants need to insure their own possessions. If a pipe bursts in the property and your lovely new sofa gets badly water damaged you won’t be able to ask the landlord to replace it!
• Last one out…
If you’re planning to leave the property vacant for a period of time during the life of the tenancy, then it is
pick up the phone and call us on (01202) 602121.
important to ensure that the last one to leave (which will obviously be you if you live alone!) prepares the property accordingly – for example, by turning off electrical appliances, emptying and cleaning the fridge, turning off the water supply, etc. It’s also worth noting that many tenancy agreements require the landlord to be informed if a property is to be left empty for any length of time (normally three weeks+).
• Decorating
If you want to change the colour of the bedroom, always ask fi rst and if your landlord grants permission, get it in writing (an email is fi ne). It’s worth remembering that in a deposit dispute it’s the tenant who has to prove they had permission not the landlord saying they didn’t.
• Fixtures and fi ttings It is the tenant’s responsibility to look after these. While reasonable wear and tear is to be expected, it is important to inform the landlord immediately of any damage, accidental or otherwise. Having a detailed inventory will clearly help resolve any issues here, I would even go so far as to say do not move into any property without one.
• Sharing emergency numbers
Sharing your mobile number and your managing agent’s with your neighbours is a good precaution, particularly in fl ats, where a problem in one property can rapidly cause problems in others in the block.
• And fi nally…
On moving out day, be sure to remove or otherwise dispose of everything that you yourself brought into the property during your tenancy. If you do want to leave anything, you must get your landlord’s prior written agreement (as before an email will do).
The main thing is to enjoy your home, look after it properly and pay your rent on time. Do all that and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Kind regards Jason
Ask The Agent is brought to you by Richards Estate Agents in Corfe Mullen. If you have a question for Jason, please email:
jason@richardsestateagents.co.uk or feel free to
66 To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email
karen@broadstonelink.co.uk
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