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    Guide to Renting Property

    Guide to Renting Property

    Plan your move with clarity – define your priorities, set your timeline, and start your search the smart way.

    Preparing For Your Property Search

    Start by making a clear list of your must-haves (e.g. location, bedrooms, parking, garden size, budget) and nice-to-haves. This will help you stay focused during your search.

    Think about your move-in timescale

    <strong>Think about your <span style="color: hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">move-in timescale</span></strong>

    Think about your move-in timescale

    • Renting? You’ll usually need to give at least 1 month’s notice.
    • Selling? Check for early repayment penalties and confirm timings with your solicitor. We do not advise signing an AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement) until you have Exchanged Contracts on the sale of your property so you are not committed should anything go wrong.
    • Moving dates can be tricky – we’ll guide you through the process.

    Choosing the Right Letting Agency

    <strong>Choosing the <span style="color: hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">Right</span> Letting Agency</strong>

    Choosing the Right Letting Agency

    Do your research!

    Picking the right agent makes all the difference. Look for agencies accredited by professional bodies such as ARLA Propertymark, Safeagent, RICS, or UKALA.

    We’re proud members of ARLA Propertymark, fully trained, and the only local 5-star rated letting agency with over 272 glowing reviews from happy tenants and landlords.

    Preparing Your Finances

    <strong> Preparing Your <span style="color: hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">Finances</span></strong>

    Preparing Your Finances

    Before applying, it’s wise to:

    • Check your credit score (e.g. via Experian).
    • Make sure you have funds available
    • Deposit (5 weeks’ rent).
    • First month’s rent upfront.

    Once you apply, our trusted referencing company will run standard checks including credit history, income, and previous landlord references.

    Registering with Us

    <strong>Registering with <span style="color:hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">Us</span></strong>

    Registering with Us

    Registering ensures you hear about new properties before they hit the big portals like Rightmove and Zoopla.

    You can register by phone, email, online, or by visiting our friendly team. Once registered, we’ll keep you updated with homes that match your criteria.

    Viewings & Feedback

    Properties move quickly, so book viewings as soon as possible. One of our team will accompany you, answer questions, and give you time to look around.

    We’ll also ask for feedback afterwards – it helps us, our landlords, and ensures we match you to the right home.

    Offers & Holding Deposit

    Once you’ve found the right property:

    • Make an offer quickly – demand is usually high.
    • If accepted, a holding deposit will be required (1 week’s rent) to secure the property while referencing is completed.

    Any offer is subject to an approved referencing check and cleared reservation funds.

    Referencing

    Our partner referencing company will check:

    • Credit history
    • Previous landlord reference
    • Current income
    • Address history
    • Bank verification

    If you don’t pass referencing, options such as paying rent in advance (e.g. 6 months) or providing a guarantor may still allow you to proceed.

    Your Tenancy Agreement

    Congratulations – you’ve been approved!
    Before moving in, we’ll prepare all the legal documents and safety certificates including:

    Check-In Day

    <strong><span style="color: hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">Check-In</span> Day</strong>

    Check-In Day

    We’ll meet you at your new home to hand over keys, walk you through the property, test alarms, and answer any practical questions (e.g. fuse box, bins, stopcock).

    Ongoing Management

    <strong><span style="color: hsl(28, 92%, 60%);">Ongoing</span> Management</strong>

    Ongoing Management

    If your landlord has chosen our Fully Managed Service, we’ll handle day-to-day issues, from maintenance to tenant queries. For other service levels (Tenant Find or Rent Collection), we’re still only ever a phone call or email away if you need advice.

    <strong>Start Your Home Search Today</strong>

    Start Your Home Search Today

    Explore our available properties and let our expert team guide you every step of the way.

    Get a valuation

    Trusted by Local Families Since 1993

    Average customer rating:
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    based on 314 independently verified reviews provided by Google
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    T: 01243 262747
    E: sales@whitlocksestateagents.co.uk

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