Whether you are living away from home for the first time or leaving halls and sharing with a group of friends, moving into a new property is an exciting, but also daunting experience. At JNR Properties we aim to make this process as simple as possible. This article is designed to highlight the key steps you need to be aware of when moving into a rental property, but our team are on hand to answer any queries you may still have.
Plan ahead
Ahead of your move in date, make sure you have contacted our office to arrange a collection time for your keys and to pick up your move in pack, which also contains a copy of your Occupational Agreement. Ensure you have set up a standing order for your rent payment to ensure it is paid on time, so you don’t fall into arrears. If you are bringing your car with you, contact the council to apply for a permit or notify our office of your current vehicle details if you have paid for a permit as part of your tenancy.
Check your Inventory
On the day you move in, we encourage you to take the time to check over your inventory in detail. Follow the link in the email to open the inventory and carefully check all of the fixtures and fittings in the property against what is listed. If anything is incorrect, missing or damaged make a note of it and take a photo as evidence as to the actual condition of the item. Common discrepancies to look out for are scuffed paintwork, existing marks on furniture, damaged items, missing furniture, broken appliances and poor cleanliness. If you notice that any of these are incorrect on your inventory, it is essential that you note these down and notify our office by completing the inventory for the entire house. At the point of moving in, make a note of any lightbulbs that are flickering or blown so these can be replaced by the landlord, as moving forward tenants are responsible for lightbulbs within a property so make sure you have a few spares to use throughout your tenancy. Once your inventory has been submitted, it cannot be changed, so make sure that it is completed for every room before sending it in. The inventory process is designed to protect both parties. If you do not report issues at this initial point, and don’t have evidence of the condition of an item at the point of moving in, you may find yourself paying for it out of your deposit at the end of your tenancy agreement.
Register for PropertyFile
We use PropertyFile to respond to any maintenance issues and requests. The details of how to set up your PropertyFile account will be in your move in pack. Please take the time to set up your account as this also allows you to report any maintenance issues and upload images, but also gives you trouble shooting advice for common problems as well as being able to see your tenancy agreement and account balance.
Set up your bills
On the day you move in take meter readings and contact a gas, electricity and water provider to set up your new account. It is the tenant’s responsibility to register with a utility provider and to pay the bills directly to them. If any bills arrive at your property for past tenants simply write ‘return to sender’ on them and put them back in the post. At JNR Properties we have linked up with Homebox to take away the stress of sorting these bills individually. Homebox offers a package that consolidates all your household bills into one straightforward monthly payment. Eliminating the hassle of dealing with different providers and giving you a predictable monthly bill to help you budget. If you would like to find out more about setting up an account with Homebox, please contact our office for a referral.
Council Tax
If you are a student, contact the Council and notify them of your student status and pick up your Council Tax exemption form from your university. It is your responsibility to notify the Council directly to avoid having to pay Council Tax. Please be aware that if any member of your household is a professional, they will be liable to pay Council Tax.
Safety and security
Familiarise yourself with the layout of your new home. Make sure you know where the fire exits are and how the windows and doors open. If you have a bike, ensure it is locked up securely and is not blocking any fire exits. Consider taking out renters’ contents insurance for your valuable belongings.
Correspondence address
Don’t forget to update you new correspondence address with your bank, car insurance provider, university and employer. You will also need to register for a TV License and pay the relevant fee.
Waste disposal
Find out the bin collection days for your property and familiarise yourself with the recycling process for your area. More information can be found on the Cardiff Council website here.
If you have any further questions on the moving in process, please contact a member of our team who will be happy to help you.
