Looking to move to Norwich? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting a property in the city.
• Show me the money
How much can you realistically afford to spend on rent? Before you answer that, you first need to work out how much all of your other outgoings will be. Renting a property involves much more than just paying rent, there are bills to consider (such as electric, gas, water and council tax) as well as other costs like broadband, phones, TV licence and contents' insurance.
Julie Brighty, Office Manager at Gilson Bailey Lettings in Norwich suggests allowing between £1300 and £1400 for rent, deposits and agency fees in the first month. 'These can add up quite quickly so it's always better to allow yourself a little more money than you think you'll need just to be safe,' she said.
A study by More Than into the cost of running a home, has found that Norwich is one of only a handful of places in the country where monthly rent is cheaper than monthly mortgage payments. The data collected found that the average price of rent per month for a one-bedroom property is £520 and the average price of bills is £370.46, making the total cost of rent and bills per month, £890.46.
However for those seeking larger properties in the city centre, prices will be much higher. Two and three bedroom properties in the city centre can cost anywhere from £600 to well over £1000 per month.
• Location... and other things to consider
Location, security, furnishings and lease length also need to be considered. Working out these things in advance will make searching through listings easier and save you time.
In terms of location, Ms Brighty said two of the most popular areas for renters in the city are the Golden Triangle and the Riverside area.
Once you've found several properties to view, prepare a list of questions to ask the estate agent, think of things that aren't included in the online post. This could include which council tax band the property falls into and whether or not you need to install a phone line.
• Know your rights
Congratulations, you've found a property you like and you want to rent it! So now you need to apply for the property. You will need to provide documents to prove you will be a good tenant, such as references from landlords and employers as well as recent utility bills and pay slips.
Depending on whether you choose to rent with a letting agent or private landlord, other fees may be incurred.
Estate agents have initial costs for referencing and credit checks and also charge a fee for their agency services such as drawing up a contract, admin costs and property inventory.
If your application is successful, you will be sent a tenancy agreement to sign which sets out all of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as the responsibilities of the landlord. Make sure you read this carefully before signing.
• Help your future self
This is the time to get really organised: start packing, notify your current landlord and utility providers of your move date and find providers for your new home.
You could also order any furniture you need and arrange to have it delivered on the day of the move and arrange to have your mail forwarded to the new address.
Taking inventory of the details you might have missed during the viewing is also a good idea. Photograph anything inside the property that could cause problems for you at the end of your tenancy, make a note of the meter readings and note how clean everything is (or isn't).
• The big day
Moving can be an extremely stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be. If you're using a removal company to help, make sure they know where each box needs to go - print out a copy of the floor plan and make sure all boxes are clearly labelled.
It's also a good idea to separate any items you think you will need that night from everything else, like bed linen, toiletries and towels. At the end of the day you'll thank yourself when you can simply hop in the shower and head for bed.
• Next Steps
Relax, unpack and enjoy your new home in the fine city, but remember to take care of the property and notify the landlord of any problems - the longer you leave things, the worse they are likely to get.
• Looking for a property to rent in Norwich? Find hundreds of listings online at Homes24.
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