Is retaining a professional relocation agent a luxury or do they add real value?
A professional relocation agent is regularly in contact with all the main letting agents so they are more aware of fresh listings. A good relocation agent may also negotiate a much better price than you would have been able to negotiate yourself, saving money, time, and anxiety. However, it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Renting a House in the UK: Search Advice
A combination of short supply and high demand means you need to be proactive and act quickly. Securing a rental property is likely to be more successful if renters are quick off the mark.
Family houses and apartments in London and the South/South-East of England are particularly challenging in this competitive environment.
It is possible to find an ideal home. To do so, the search must be thorough, well-informed and rational.
By being realistic and practical, some compromises may be necessary. However, you should not settle for a rental property which is barely acceptable. Renting is often a relatively long-term decision so you need to be happy with your choice.
Research Rental Properties
A relocation agent will discuss what features are the most important to you and establish key criteria. They will also work with you to understand areas you are willing to compromise on. All this is done ahead of booking viewing to save wasting valuable time.
You should not feel pressured into agreeing to take a rental property that does not fit your rental standards and must-have criteria. However, with the best properties often being let quickly, it is important to be able to make a swift and informed decision: Quick decisions are different to rushed decisions, which tend to be regretted later.
How to secure the right rental property
This is where a relocation agent will offer their professional guidance and assistance.
The Lettings industry in the UK is unregulated. This means anyone can set up as a Letting Agent or be a Landlord, so look for Letting Agents who have the relevant professional affiliation, ideally members of the ARLA or National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) and The Property Ombudsman Scheme who all adhere to a strict code of conduct.
The same rental property may be advertised and marketed by several Letting Agents at the same time, so check the prices, any photographs, and details carefully. When making an offer, the offer must contain any changes or variations to what is being marketed, as an example, the offer is to include all electrical white goods, all curtains or have a room re-painted. Asking for changes to be included after the offer has been accepted may result in disappointment.
As soon as your offer is accepted you will be expected to pay a non-refundable holding deposit and complete a reference form if you wish to proceed with the rental.
A relocation agent will establish what is covered in your rental price and any responsibilities you will be expected to undertake. For example, is the garden maintained by you or the landlord? If there is a house alarm, who will be responsible for the cost of the maintenance? Who is the Managing Agent for the property when you have on-going maintenance issues?
Once your tenancy has commenced and your tenancy agreement signed you will be provided with an Inventory detailing the condition of the property. This is an important document so please check it carefully.
A recap on the top reasons to use a property relocation agent:
Access to broader range of properties
Experience and expertise in a different market
Negotiating on your behalf, and possibly achieving better rates
Clarifying what is included
Saves time and stress
Premier Property Search has been securing rental properties for clients for many years. We are experienced at both finding and negotiating rental properties for those that would like professional help, whether moving from other parts of the UK or from overseas and we would be happy to help you secure the right rental property.
For further information about the services that Premier Corporate Relocation Services offer to their corporate clients, get in contact with Barbara on + 44 (0) 1962 793100, / +44 (0) 7770 815325 or via email.