Gone
|
If you rent through an agency:
You'll get all of the right paperwork and if something needs repair it will get done fairly promptly. The major drawback is that they are parasites and will charge you for everything they can think of - I once had one try to charge stamp duty for a property where the rent was below the threshold, and £60 for 'my share of the paperwork'. The rent will probably be higher than the normal local rents to allow a percentage for the agency.
If you rent privately:
You might need to nag the landlord to get the paperwork or to get repairs done, but the rent should be lower and there won't be the 'hidden' expenses. You should be prepared to do some of the minor repairs and maintenance yourself, because a private landlord wouldn't like to be disturbed too often.
I would go for for a private landlord every time, because there is so much less bullshine involved and it is a less expensive option.
Make sure that it's a good landlord before you sign anything. Does the landlord seem like a reasonable person? what do other tenants think of the landlord?- if he has other tenants, ask them what they think. Is the property in good repair? If it isn't, the landlord is probably not doing much apart from collecting the rent.
I hope that helps, good luck. |
|
bumblebee
|
I've rented privately for years but my current landlady was a friend first and my first landlord was the brother of my manager. I definitely prefer it as found it easier to ask for stuff or mention things that were broken rather than go through an agent. I went through an agent once (Linley & Simpson) and hated it. Got charged an admin charge of about £75 at the beginning which was non-refundable and then when it came to moving out I met up with the landlord and the agent at the house to check everything. The landlord was really nice and the agent was horrible. She acted like I was trying to take advantage of the nice landlord (who was quite rightly protesting that mess he'd made whilst decorating after we'd moved out was not our fault!) It was only because of the landlord taking our side against the agent that we got our bond back.
Grrr - I definitly won't be using an agent again. |
|
Lewiy
 |
You are much better off renting through an Agent. There may some additional costs but you can check their reputability and there is always someone who can be held accountable for things. Renting privately, you run lots of risks, even though you have rights, it will cost a huge amount of money to enforce them. |
|
newmexicorealestateforms
|
Renting protection against unscrupulous land lords or tenants are governed by your state's landlord tenant act. So you can rest assured that most actions associated with the procedures and what can and can not be done in a rental agreement are codified for the purpose of protecting both the landlord and the tenant from each other. You need to check your state's laws. |
|
media mogul
|
There's no sure way to tell one way or another, what you gotta do is make sure you talk with the landlord, get to meet him and ask him to give you a contact of the person who lived there previously (say it's for travel routes or whatever make up something) and then you can ask them what the landlord is like and how he took care of the place. I'm renting through an agency and it's a bloody mission and there's always a different person on the phone, etc etc. But they do take care of their place, fix leaks and burst bulbs and stuff. So if you do go private make sure you talk with the landlord first to try to suss him out a bit.
good luck |
|
sammy
|
i think private renting is better as it doesnt cost as much in the long run with all the admi fees to include etc: |
|
me
 |
I have rented through a real estate agent and the property owners. I liked the agent. Owners think they have way too many rights about their property, which usually interferes with renter's rights. |
|
**dizzy**
|
it is risky... although they cant just kick you out on the spot... whatever the circumstances they can do it!
myself, mum and brother were living in a privatly rented house and due to the womans husband losing his job, they had to move to a smaller house but renovated so much that they got into debt and had to sell our house....
go on the council or buy wud be your best option. |
|
carolinexx
|
I am private renting off of a landlord but I think I may be one of the lucky ones as I already new the man who I am renting off. I would not rent off of a private landlord unless I knew them myself where as with estate agents you have insurance and stuff like that. |
|
bizzybee
|
I rent privately, first time I've ever done so, but things are going okay, touch wood. On the other hand my friend has just received a bailiffs notice and has to be out of her house by the 21st September, she will then be classed as homeless.
She got behind in her rent, due to no fault of her own, but even though you have a contract, you can be given notice to leave at a drop of a hat.
Sound the estate agent out, they should help you. |
|
Tom
|
I've been renting on my own for a while, and it's okay. You just got to keep up with the rent. |
|
| |
|
Homepage 
Financial
Forum 
Renting & Real Estate 
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
