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There's often room to
negotiate on the monthly rent, particularly on a flat that
has been unoccupied for a few months. Remember that
estate agents are there to get the flat rented out, and will
take your offer back to the landlord with enthusiasm if they
think they can get their commission. It's usually
cheaper to rent an unfurnished flat, and in Richmond the
split between furnished and unfurnished is roughly 50/50 -
so there's plenty of choice either way.
Don't forget that you'll need
to pay your council tax on top of the rent - for the
majority of properties in Richmond that's going to be £1,500
to £2,000 per year for the entire flat, depending upon its
value. If there is just one adult occupying the flat,
a 25% discount is available.
If you're a student studying at Richmond College, Richmond
American University or one of the Richmond language schools
you may be interested in a flat share. The notice
boards in the colleges are going to be a good place for flat
share ads, but there are also a number of
websites that now cater exclusively to finding flatmates.
Make sure that you meet ALL the tenants before you agree to
move into someone else's flat, and be very clear about how
the utility bills, including council tax, are split and paid.
Rents tend to go up as term commences, so it may be worth
arriving a few weeks early to get the bargains. The other
good news about being a full time student is that you don't
have to pay council tax.
Also, more Richmond home
owners are taking
advantage of the Government's 'Rent a Room' scheme - where
someone can earn £4,250 a year tax-free from renting a
room in their property. These opportunities are not
going to be listed with estate agents - your best strategy is
to look in the window's of local shops, or flick through the
pages of one of the local newspapers.
Whether you're renting in Richmond or anywhere else in the
UK, here are some tips for things to look for when
inspecting a potential flat:
1. Examine the door, the locks and the windows for security.
2. Check the ceilings and carpets for water damage - this
can be a bad sign.
3. Make sure the taps and electrical appliances work in the
kitchen.
4. In the bathroom, check the water flows in the sink,
shower/bath and toilet.
5. Check that the heating works, and ask about the
insulation in the property.
6. Ensure there is at least one smoke alarm in the flat.
7. Find out who is responsible for cleaning any communal
areas outside the flat.
If you have local insight
about flats to rent in Richmond that you'd like to share with us, that we can share with
everyone else, please let us know - contact information on
the About Us page. |