Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

Moving into a Rental Property – What You Need To Know

5th September 2024

Moving into a new property can be daunting and exciting, whether you are moving away to study or work, or simply relocating within the same area. The process involves more than just unpacking your belongings and a quick trip to your local accessories and décor shop. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience in your new home both now and in the future, there are some things that you need to do.

Inspect your space

Before you start unpacking, it’s crucial to perform a detailed inspection of the property. Walk through each room and check for any damage, such as chipped paint, broken fixtures, or malfunctioning appliances. Take photographs or videos of any issues you find, as this documentation will be invaluable when it’s time to move out. Report these problems to your landlord or property manager immediately, preferably in writing, so they can address them or make note that the damage was pre-existing. This step helps protect your security deposit when your lease ends.

Check your lease

Although you likely reviewed the lease before signing, it’s a good idea to go over it again once you’ve moved in. Familiarise yourself with the terms, including the rules regarding maintenance, repairs, and any restrictions (such as whether you can paint walls or have pets). Understanding your lease inside and out will help you to avoid any unintentional mistakes that could lead to fines or retained deposit.

Bills

Ensure all necessary utilities and services are set up in your name as soon as possible. Depending on the terms of your lease, this could include Council Tax, electricity, water, gas and internet. Some rentals may include certain utilities in the rent, so double-check your lease to avoid setting up duplicate services.

Check the locks

Security is paramount when moving into a new home. While some landlords may change the locks between tenants, this isn’t always the case. If your lease permits, consider asking the landlord to change the locks or hire a locksmith to ensure that previous tenants or unknown individuals don’t have access to your home.

Change your details

Notify important contacts and services of your new address. This includes your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, doctors and any subscriptions you receive. If you are moving into student accommodation think carefully about where you want to be registered for things such as GPs or the electoral register; if you will only be in the accommodation for a few months a year, you may prefer to keep your home address.

Cleaning and maintenance schedule

It is a good idea to establish a cleaning and maintenance routine for your new home, particularly if you are in shared accommodation. From a cleaning rota to understanding the rubbish and recycling schedule, a timetable will not only help to keep your home in good condition but it will help to prevent arguments.

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Looking for more homeowner advice advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
Should I renovate my home or move house?

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.
What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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