Moving into a new rental property can be expensive and tenants should understand their rights to avoid unnecessary additional costs.
With the cost of living in the UK at an all time high, moving to a new place can be daunting. Not only will you have to think about rising energy bills, but there are also damage deposits to factor in, as well as buying new furniture and removal costs.
Personal finance expert Dan Whittaker from CashLady.com has shared his top five tips for renters who are relocating.
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He said: "There are costs that may be thrown your way which are not your responsibility to pay, and elements of your contract which may lead to excess spending."
1. Get your landlord to replace sub-par furniture
It's possible you're new rental place will be full of furniture provided by your landlord. Dan said: "This is often the case, particularly for young people who have yet to build up furniture staples and are looking to save by renting a furnished home.
"However, most renters may not be aware that all furniture and upholstery within a property provided by a landlord must meet certain standards and, if not, it’s the landlord's duty to replace them - not the tenant's.
"If the furniture that comes with the property is broken and unusable, be sure to question your landlord rather than splash out on new furniture that you may not be able to move to your next home."
2. Fire-safe furniture
As well as meeting a certain standard, Dan said furniture must meet fire safety standards. He added: "Not only is there a clear safety risk if these standards are not met, but it gives tenants more grounds to demand that furniture is replaced by the landlord, and the tenant does not have to spend excess cash."
This includes couches, armchairs, futons and sofa beds, nursery furniture, beds, garden furniture and even scatter cushions.
3. Create an inventory
Dan said: "When you first move into your rented property, your landlord should provide you with an inventory of the property. An inventory should list all of the furniture and appliances within the property with notes on the condition.
Dan added that it's important to not everything down swiftly, even if the damage is small. "If you fail to highlight these at the start of your tenancy, your landlord can charge you for the damages when you move out because there will be no proof the damage was there before you moved in."
4. Understand your rights with energy suppliers
As a tenant, it's your right to choose your energy supplier. Dan said: "In a time where energy costs are through the roof, it’s important that the decision is yours and not that of the landlord, allowing you to negotiate the best price.
"There have been occasions where landlords have specified the energy provider that the tenants must use in their contract. Unless the landlord is paying for the gas and electricity, which is quite rare, this is illegal."
5. Don’t pay for something that isn’t your responsibility
Dan said that many renters, particularly those living along for the firs time, are unaware of where the responsibility lies for certain fixtures. He added: "If your washing machines, boiler or any kitchen appliances break, should you pay for someone to fix it yourself? The answer in each of these cases is no.
"As a general rule of thumb, your landlord is responsible for repairing most appliances that come with a property, as well as permanent elements of the property."
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