Average rent prices across the country have continued to skyrocket, leaving many Britons strapped for cash.
Homeownership has declined despite the rise in mortgage support packages with more people than ever struggling to get a foot on the property ladder.
Many trying to purchase their own home are left trapped due to rising rent prices, with experts at Quotezone.co.uk saying the number of households renting has nearly doubled since 2000 to over 19%.
This rise in renters has led to a higher demand for rental homes, and the average asking price continually rising with the average rent price in London surpassing £2,500 per month.
And with the cost of living crisis showing no signs of slowing down, Britons are under more strain than ever.
Greg Wilson, founder at Quotezone.co.uk, said: ‘Rent prices across the country have risen to record highs, and many renters are feeling the impact.
‘One of the simplest ways for Brits who are renting to make sure they aren’t forking out any more than they need to is to make sure they know their rights.
‘Many landlords are increasing rent in line with the cost-of-living crisis to help cover rising costs, so it’s more important than ever that renters do all they can to protect their security deposit as chances are they will lose more of it due to the increased cost of repairs and materials.
‘Doing things like taking photos of prior issues when moving in and taking inventory of damage can help to safeguard the deposit and help avoid having money withheld at the end of the tenancy.
‘If you need to make dramatic savings, even temporarily, it could be worth discussing adding a roommate with your landlord, to help spread the costs.’
Here, Quotezone.co.uk gives us some top tips to help renters save.
Think about your amenities
If you’re searching for a new rental property, it is important to think about amenities within the total monthly cost.
Think about what is important to you, for example, if a gym, parking space, or onsite washer and dryers are included within the tenancy.
This can help you make a more informed decision about where to live based on the benefits provided by the building.
What will work out cheaper for you over time?
Pay on time
Failing to pay rent on time to your landlord can negatively impact your credit score and make it harder for you to get a mortgage in the future.
It could also cost you financially, with some landlords charging a late fee of anywhere up to hundreds of pounds per day.
In an emergency, if you are unable to pay rent on time you must let your landlord or management agency know immediately, they may be able to support you with some flexibility if you have a payment plan thought out.
Consider a roommate
To share housing costs and help to increase your disposable income each month, you may want to consider taking on a roommate.
Before doing so, make sure to discuss it with your landlord to ensure you are not in breach of your tenancy agreement.
Make sure there is a written agreement to decide how rent and utility payments will be divided.
Know your rights
One of the best ways to keep your money safe while renting is to know your rights, this is especially important with so many being affected by rent increases since the pandemic.
There should usually be a month’s notice in place for any price increases on rent.
The amount landlords can increase the rent depends on your agreement but they must be fair, realistic, and in line with other properties in the area. The price can only be increased once per year.
Knowing this can save you from agreeing to an unfair rent price hike, remember you can negotiate.
Do an inventory
When moving into a new rental property, it is important to do a sweeping inventory of the space, taking photos and videos of its current condition and highlighting anything which needs the landlord’s immediate attention.
Remember landlords cannot make deductions for fair wear and tear, so having a date and time-stamped content of damage is the best way to ensure you are not blamed for prior issues when it comes to the end of your lease.
Problems such as damp walls and mould will need to be addressed immediately for health reasons and to prevent it growing into a more serious issue.
Keep it clean
It sounds obvious but, make sure to thoroughly clean and remove all belongings from the house.
This helps to avoid being charged fees or having part of your deposit withheld for cleaning purposes.
Keeping a good standard of cleanliness throughout the tenancy will stand you in good stead as landlords can inspect the property regularly to ensure it is being looked after.
If something goes wrong
If an accident happens in a rented property that leads to damage to the space or any furniture owned by the landlord, it is important to notify them straight away.
Contacting your landlord or property management agency as soon as something goes wrong can help to safeguard your deposit and avoid any further damage.
Tenants insurance
Tenants/renters insurance covers your items against theft and damage such as furniture, electrical equipment – basically anything you can take with you when you move.
What’s more, it also covers fire, floods, and water damage.
It’s important to check your tenancy agreement, some landlords insist you have tenants insurance as part of the agreement and even tenants liability coverage if you’re renting a furnished property, to protect the landlord’s belongings as well.
Also, check if accidental damage is part of your policy or if you need to add it as an extra.
MORE : Rent for newly let homes outside London passes £1,000-a-month for first time
MORE : Renters slam £650pm London one-bed with ‘flatmate living in a tent’ in front room
MORE : This map shows how much a square foot of property costs in different parts of the UK
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