My experience of finding an accommodation to rent - 2020
Given the pandemic and how it has affected almost every organization and person in the country, I thought it is best to share my experience here as a separate post.
This is my 4th year in the UK and I have rented the following accommodations:
From Jan, 2016 to July,2017 - 3 bed house as hospital accommodation in Slough (non training SHO post)
From August, 2017 to July, 2018 - 2 bed furnished apartment in Harrogate via estate agents ( core medical training year 1):
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-60004801.html?utm_source=sendtofriend&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=letting
From August 2018 to July 2019 - 2 bed furnished apartment in York via estate agents (core medical training year 2)
https://www.martinco.com/property/to-rent/339844
From August 2019 to July, 2020 - 2 bed unfurnished apartment in Scarborough via estate agents (ST3 post in acute internal medicine).
Link not available
August,2020 to 2021- 3 bed unfurnished house in Beverley via estate agents ( ST4 in acute internal medicine in Hull):
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-91055300.html
I have shared my experience of renting these properties here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/05/my-guideline-on-accommodation-in-uk.html
I found out that I was moving to Hull in March,2020 for my ST4 training.
We then entered the COVID-19 pandemic and everything was shut down.
In May, 2020 the government slowly started lifting the restrictions and we started looking for accommodation on these websites:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/
https://www.primelocation.com/
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/
https://www.onthemarket.com/
We set certain filters ( max price per month of 1000 GBP , garden , parking , shower room, new build , white goods included but unfurnished).
I was not intending to do any viewings so early however we stumbled across some very nice properties which looked exactly what we needed in the pictures. So we called the estate agents and informed them that we are looking to move in by mid July and if the landlords would agree to this.
One or 2 estate agents said that it was too early however 2 agreed as the landlords were happy with us starting our tenancy in July even though the properties were available to rent in May.
We then asked the estate agents to send us a video. They have now uploaded videos of almost every property in the area we were interested in. They also sent videos via WhatsApp for any properties which did not have any virtual tours on the website.
We booked a viewing date - we decided to view all 3 properties we had shortlisted on the same day.
On arrival, the estate agent /landlord would open the house for us and then stand outside. All properties we viewed were empty so we could go in , make videos , take pictures and after looking around , we took an application form , asked any questions and then left.
I filled the application form, attached the necessary documents and emailed them to the agent of the property we liked the most.
After 5 days , I received a call that the application has been accepted and they are willing to proceed.
TIPS:
PRIOR TO SEARCHING:
1. Decide your priorities.
For us, it was a max monthly rental of 1000 GBP, parking, shower room, at least 3 bedrooms, mixer taps, white goods included,2 bathrooms, unfurnished, new build, gas powered central heating, garden, in a safe place and with childrens' nursery in close proximity.
2. Set filters
You can set a lot of filters on websites like rightmove.
3. View the pictures carefully.
Yes, pictures can be deceiving but if the property does not look good in the pictures, it is pointless to go for it as it is very unlikely going to look good in real life.
4. Check Google street view
It gives a good idea of the area and the property from the outside.
5. Check the crime statistics of the are using websites such as this:https://www.ukcrimestats.com/
6. Some properties go really quickly - so please remember to take annual leaves in the last few months ( May - July, at least once a week with a few annual leaves in the end to have enough time to relocate). This way, you can book urgent viewings with estate agents before someone else takes it.
7. Introducing yourself as a 'Doctor working in the NHS' helps. Hence do not forget to introduce yourself this way.
8. Check the aforementioned websites on a regular basis. Properties are added daily. Also check local agency websites.
9. Ask your HR if they know of any estate agents, some trusts like York have a page dedicated to accommodation available for NHS staff. HR may be able to direct you to some useful people.
10. As a SHO with 2 dependents, you can easily afford an accommodation up to 1,000 GBP a month. As a registrar, with 2 dependents you can easily afford up to 1300 GBP a month. Of course- this is based on personal experience which will vary from person to person.
Then shortlist the properties based on preference. Keep searching if you do not find anything. There is no point viewing a property you put on the list because there is no better option - NEVER COMPROMISE ON THIS!
PRIOR TO VIEWING:
Email the estate agents AND always call them. Some do reply via email however calling them after you have emailed them always helps. It shows you are keen to view the properties.
Clarify the following points
1. Will you able to start the tenancy when you intend to move in ( ie if you have found a property which is advertised as 'available now' in mid-may, will the landlord be able to start the tenancy from mid july?)
There is no point going for something the estate agents are pushing you to start the tenancy agreement immediately if you plan to move 2 months later.
2. Any doubts you have in the pictures - ie, the pictures show a fully furnished property. The advertisement says " unfurnished". What is included in the unfurnished property ? ( ie does it come with a fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher? - also known as white goods )
3. Is the property currently occupied ( as during this pandemic, viewing an occupied property will not be a good idea)
4. NEVER sign a contract till you have viewed the property.
If the estate agents agree, then set a date and time.
We set a viewing of our three shortlisted properties on the same day, with one hour in between in the same area so that we could drive around the area to get a general idea of what the neighborhood is like.
VIEWING DAY:
1. Leave your house early! Please do not be late for viewings. Estate agents are extremely busy and hence do not have a lot of time. If you are running late, please call them and let them know so that they could stay at their office for longer.
2. If you arrive at the property early, drive around. Get a feeling of the place. You will notice certain run down areas ( boarded up windows, graffiti, run down parks, shady people ) and some nice homely areas.
3. Greet the estate agent, let him/her open up the house before you go in. Ask them how long you have ( in some cases there is an allotted time).
4. Ask the estate agent if you can take pictures/make a video -- in our case, my wife made a video and I took pictures ( despite having a 2 year old with us)
5. Do a detailed round of the house and think about any issues you would like to discuss ( ie a dirty carpet, etc). Do not miss any room. You will be living here for a considerable amount of time. So look carefully!
Check the furniture if you are going for a furnished accommodation - for smells, tears in the cloth, any damp, mould, etc.
6. Come out, thank the estate agent and ask any questions. For us, it was
- Whether the tenancy could start in July when we were viewing this property in mid-may
- Confirmation whether the heating was electric or gas powered.
- Any other small queries.
7. If you like it, take an application form. Let the estate agent know that you will fill it out and email it.
8. Send pictures/videos to your family/friends. It is always useful to get a second opinion- especially when you are excited and may make a rash decision.
9. DO NOT make a decision there and then - unless the property is perfect. Take a few hours to discuss this with your spouse/family/friends.
POST-VIEWING:
It does not take long go decide what you want to go for - for us, we knew that we liked the property when we drove past it. And we had 2 more viewings after!
1. Look at the pictures and videos. Discuss any issues you may have seen.
2. If you have not liked any of those properties, move on! You do not have to finalize the deal just because all the shortlisted properties you viewed were horrible! There are plenty of options coming out on a daily basis. DO NOT RUSH!!
3. If you really like something, it meets your requirement then email the application form and the relevant documents to the estate agency as soon as you get home - so that they can go through it and process it the following day.
4. Check what they require - estate agents may require a copy of your payslip, job contract , etc when submitting the application.
5. The estate agents will then forward your application to the landlords - and after doing this for 4 years now, I have found that these words: NHS DOCTOR mean a lot! The landlords know that doctors have
- A steady income and hence will pay the rent on time
- A steady job ( unlikely to be fired)
- A busy job - hence less time to spend at home messing their lovely property ( may not be true if you have children).
When I emailed my application with the necessary documents , the estate agents forwarded it to the landlords the next day and they accepted our application.
We received a call from the estate agents that the landlords were happy to proceed and now the agency will do a credit check, ask for references, etc.
6. Remember to ask the estate agents if the property will be taken off the market. In my case, the property was taken off the market when the estate agent called me to inform me that the landlords had accepted our application.
SIGNING THE CONTRACT:
You may get the keys at the same time you sign the contract or you may be able to sign the contract earlier and just grab the keys from the estate agents - it varies from agency to agency. In Harrogate, the estate agent came to the apartment and let us in, gave us the inventory, contract and keys. We signed the contract and then the agent emailed it to us.
In York, we went to the estate agents office, signed the contract, showed them valid ID ( passports, BRP, license) which they copied and they gave us the keys. We were then welcomed by our landlord.
In Scarborough, we signed the tenancy agreement and inventory electronically , we went to the estate agents, they celebrated with us ( and even took a picture of us for their social media page) and handed the keys to us.
1. Read it carefully - especially the tenancy duration.
2. Ask the estate agents if you have any questions and DO NOT SIGN the contract till everything is clear.
3. In some cases, you will get an online inventory ( pictures taken by estate agents a day before) which you should look at carefully and then sign it electronically. You, as a tenant have the right to question anything on the inventory when you move in to the property ( you have a few days).
In other cases, you are given an inventory upon moving into the property which you tick and sign and have to email to estate agents within a few days.
MOVING IN:
1. Take pictures of everything - what you do not want to do is ask yourself whether the crack in the window was before or after you moved in.
2. Take pictures of the gas and electric meters.
3. Check the lights, heating, etc
4. Make a list of issues and email the estate agents who will then forward them to the landlord.
MOVING OUT :
Remember to give the property in the same condition you got it in. My wife and I usually spend half a day cleaning the property after we move out and have a few extra days on our tenancy. This leaves a good impression.
LANDLORDS:
Some landlords like to be quite involved in any issues. In York, for example our bathrooms ventilation fan stopped working. I emailed the agency and the landlord came himself with an electrician to fix it. He then gave me his number and asked me to text him directly if I had any issues.
In Scarborough our washing machine broke down and we emailed the agency. The agency emailed the landlady who sent an electrician to look at it and then we got a brand new washing machine delivered and fitted within a few days.
In Harrogate, we never met the landlords or had any communication with them.
So it varies from place to place. And it does not matter as long as you are able to sort any issues out. Usually, agencies and landlords/landladies are extremely professional and friendly.
THE WHOLE PROCESS :
1. Contacting the agent
2. Viewing the property
3. Sending the application with necessary documents
4. Awaiting approval of landlord
5. Agency doing the necessary credit checks
6. Signing the contract
7. Collecting keys and moving in.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tenant-fees-act
This is my 4th year in the UK and I have rented the following accommodations:
From Jan, 2016 to July,2017 - 3 bed house as hospital accommodation in Slough (non training SHO post)
From August, 2017 to July, 2018 - 2 bed furnished apartment in Harrogate via estate agents ( core medical training year 1):
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-60004801.html?utm_source=sendtofriend&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=letting
From August 2018 to July 2019 - 2 bed furnished apartment in York via estate agents (core medical training year 2)
https://www.martinco.com/property/to-rent/339844
From August 2019 to July, 2020 - 2 bed unfurnished apartment in Scarborough via estate agents (ST3 post in acute internal medicine).
Link not available
August,2020 to 2021- 3 bed unfurnished house in Beverley via estate agents ( ST4 in acute internal medicine in Hull):
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-91055300.html
I have shared my experience of renting these properties here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.com/2017/05/my-guideline-on-accommodation-in-uk.html
I found out that I was moving to Hull in March,2020 for my ST4 training.
We then entered the COVID-19 pandemic and everything was shut down.
In May, 2020 the government slowly started lifting the restrictions and we started looking for accommodation on these websites:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/
https://www.primelocation.com/
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/
https://www.onthemarket.com/
We set certain filters ( max price per month of 1000 GBP , garden , parking , shower room, new build , white goods included but unfurnished).
I was not intending to do any viewings so early however we stumbled across some very nice properties which looked exactly what we needed in the pictures. So we called the estate agents and informed them that we are looking to move in by mid July and if the landlords would agree to this.
One or 2 estate agents said that it was too early however 2 agreed as the landlords were happy with us starting our tenancy in July even though the properties were available to rent in May.
We then asked the estate agents to send us a video. They have now uploaded videos of almost every property in the area we were interested in. They also sent videos via WhatsApp for any properties which did not have any virtual tours on the website.
We booked a viewing date - we decided to view all 3 properties we had shortlisted on the same day.
On arrival, the estate agent /landlord would open the house for us and then stand outside. All properties we viewed were empty so we could go in , make videos , take pictures and after looking around , we took an application form , asked any questions and then left.
I filled the application form, attached the necessary documents and emailed them to the agent of the property we liked the most.
After 5 days , I received a call that the application has been accepted and they are willing to proceed.
TIPS:
PRIOR TO SEARCHING:
1. Decide your priorities.
For us, it was a max monthly rental of 1000 GBP, parking, shower room, at least 3 bedrooms, mixer taps, white goods included,2 bathrooms, unfurnished, new build, gas powered central heating, garden, in a safe place and with childrens' nursery in close proximity.
2. Set filters
You can set a lot of filters on websites like rightmove.
3. View the pictures carefully.
Yes, pictures can be deceiving but if the property does not look good in the pictures, it is pointless to go for it as it is very unlikely going to look good in real life.
4. Check Google street view
It gives a good idea of the area and the property from the outside.
5. Check the crime statistics of the are using websites such as this:https://www.ukcrimestats.com/
6. Some properties go really quickly - so please remember to take annual leaves in the last few months ( May - July, at least once a week with a few annual leaves in the end to have enough time to relocate). This way, you can book urgent viewings with estate agents before someone else takes it.
7. Introducing yourself as a 'Doctor working in the NHS' helps. Hence do not forget to introduce yourself this way.
8. Check the aforementioned websites on a regular basis. Properties are added daily. Also check local agency websites.
9. Ask your HR if they know of any estate agents, some trusts like York have a page dedicated to accommodation available for NHS staff. HR may be able to direct you to some useful people.
10. As a SHO with 2 dependents, you can easily afford an accommodation up to 1,000 GBP a month. As a registrar, with 2 dependents you can easily afford up to 1300 GBP a month. Of course- this is based on personal experience which will vary from person to person.
Then shortlist the properties based on preference. Keep searching if you do not find anything. There is no point viewing a property you put on the list because there is no better option - NEVER COMPROMISE ON THIS!
PRIOR TO VIEWING:
Email the estate agents AND always call them. Some do reply via email however calling them after you have emailed them always helps. It shows you are keen to view the properties.
Clarify the following points
1. Will you able to start the tenancy when you intend to move in ( ie if you have found a property which is advertised as 'available now' in mid-may, will the landlord be able to start the tenancy from mid july?)
There is no point going for something the estate agents are pushing you to start the tenancy agreement immediately if you plan to move 2 months later.
2. Any doubts you have in the pictures - ie, the pictures show a fully furnished property. The advertisement says " unfurnished". What is included in the unfurnished property ? ( ie does it come with a fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher? - also known as white goods )
3. Is the property currently occupied ( as during this pandemic, viewing an occupied property will not be a good idea)
4. NEVER sign a contract till you have viewed the property.
If the estate agents agree, then set a date and time.
We set a viewing of our three shortlisted properties on the same day, with one hour in between in the same area so that we could drive around the area to get a general idea of what the neighborhood is like.
VIEWING DAY:
1. Leave your house early! Please do not be late for viewings. Estate agents are extremely busy and hence do not have a lot of time. If you are running late, please call them and let them know so that they could stay at their office for longer.
2. If you arrive at the property early, drive around. Get a feeling of the place. You will notice certain run down areas ( boarded up windows, graffiti, run down parks, shady people ) and some nice homely areas.
3. Greet the estate agent, let him/her open up the house before you go in. Ask them how long you have ( in some cases there is an allotted time).
4. Ask the estate agent if you can take pictures/make a video -- in our case, my wife made a video and I took pictures ( despite having a 2 year old with us)
5. Do a detailed round of the house and think about any issues you would like to discuss ( ie a dirty carpet, etc). Do not miss any room. You will be living here for a considerable amount of time. So look carefully!
Check the furniture if you are going for a furnished accommodation - for smells, tears in the cloth, any damp, mould, etc.
6. Come out, thank the estate agent and ask any questions. For us, it was
- Whether the tenancy could start in July when we were viewing this property in mid-may
- Confirmation whether the heating was electric or gas powered.
- Any other small queries.
7. If you like it, take an application form. Let the estate agent know that you will fill it out and email it.
8. Send pictures/videos to your family/friends. It is always useful to get a second opinion- especially when you are excited and may make a rash decision.
9. DO NOT make a decision there and then - unless the property is perfect. Take a few hours to discuss this with your spouse/family/friends.
POST-VIEWING:
It does not take long go decide what you want to go for - for us, we knew that we liked the property when we drove past it. And we had 2 more viewings after!
1. Look at the pictures and videos. Discuss any issues you may have seen.
2. If you have not liked any of those properties, move on! You do not have to finalize the deal just because all the shortlisted properties you viewed were horrible! There are plenty of options coming out on a daily basis. DO NOT RUSH!!
3. If you really like something, it meets your requirement then email the application form and the relevant documents to the estate agency as soon as you get home - so that they can go through it and process it the following day.
4. Check what they require - estate agents may require a copy of your payslip, job contract , etc when submitting the application.
5. The estate agents will then forward your application to the landlords - and after doing this for 4 years now, I have found that these words: NHS DOCTOR mean a lot! The landlords know that doctors have
- A steady income and hence will pay the rent on time
- A steady job ( unlikely to be fired)
- A busy job - hence less time to spend at home messing their lovely property ( may not be true if you have children).
When I emailed my application with the necessary documents , the estate agents forwarded it to the landlords the next day and they accepted our application.
We received a call from the estate agents that the landlords were happy to proceed and now the agency will do a credit check, ask for references, etc.
6. Remember to ask the estate agents if the property will be taken off the market. In my case, the property was taken off the market when the estate agent called me to inform me that the landlords had accepted our application.
SIGNING THE CONTRACT:
You may get the keys at the same time you sign the contract or you may be able to sign the contract earlier and just grab the keys from the estate agents - it varies from agency to agency. In Harrogate, the estate agent came to the apartment and let us in, gave us the inventory, contract and keys. We signed the contract and then the agent emailed it to us.
In York, we went to the estate agents office, signed the contract, showed them valid ID ( passports, BRP, license) which they copied and they gave us the keys. We were then welcomed by our landlord.
In Scarborough, we signed the tenancy agreement and inventory electronically , we went to the estate agents, they celebrated with us ( and even took a picture of us for their social media page) and handed the keys to us.
1. Read it carefully - especially the tenancy duration.
2. Ask the estate agents if you have any questions and DO NOT SIGN the contract till everything is clear.
3. In some cases, you will get an online inventory ( pictures taken by estate agents a day before) which you should look at carefully and then sign it electronically. You, as a tenant have the right to question anything on the inventory when you move in to the property ( you have a few days).
In other cases, you are given an inventory upon moving into the property which you tick and sign and have to email to estate agents within a few days.
MOVING IN:
1. Take pictures of everything - what you do not want to do is ask yourself whether the crack in the window was before or after you moved in.
2. Take pictures of the gas and electric meters.
3. Check the lights, heating, etc
4. Make a list of issues and email the estate agents who will then forward them to the landlord.
MOVING OUT :
Remember to give the property in the same condition you got it in. My wife and I usually spend half a day cleaning the property after we move out and have a few extra days on our tenancy. This leaves a good impression.
LANDLORDS:
Some landlords like to be quite involved in any issues. In York, for example our bathrooms ventilation fan stopped working. I emailed the agency and the landlord came himself with an electrician to fix it. He then gave me his number and asked me to text him directly if I had any issues.
In Scarborough our washing machine broke down and we emailed the agency. The agency emailed the landlady who sent an electrician to look at it and then we got a brand new washing machine delivered and fitted within a few days.
In Harrogate, we never met the landlords or had any communication with them.
So it varies from place to place. And it does not matter as long as you are able to sort any issues out. Usually, agencies and landlords/landladies are extremely professional and friendly.
THE WHOLE PROCESS :
1. Contacting the agent
2. Viewing the property
3. Sending the application with necessary documents
4. Awaiting approval of landlord
5. Agency doing the necessary credit checks
6. Signing the contract
7. Collecting keys and moving in.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tenant-fees-act
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