The Renting Process

When you find a place through us we’ll make things as easy as we can, starting with this step by step guide to the process

Step 1: Decide on the Basics

The more you know about what you want, the easier your search will be. Before you even start looking, make a list of what’s important to you.

Of course, you’ll sometimes have to trade off one good thing against another. It’s a good idea to divide your shortlist into “essential” and “nice to have”, to make these decisions easier.

Area - Probably the most important question. Do you want to live near your work, in a leafy neighbourhood or somewhere in a town centre? Take some time at a weekend to walk around and get a feel for the areas you’re considering. It can be helpful to make a list of roads that you’d consider.

Transport Links

For some people, this is even more important than the area itself. Do you want to walk to work, or will anywhere that’s near a tube station on the right line do? If you drive out of London a lot, do you need easy access to a motorway?

Size and Type

A few things to consider:

Budget

Ah, the big question! Set yourself a price range, and work it out by week and by month (remember there are more than 4 weeks in a calendar month – about 4.3, in fact).

Be prepared to make adjustments if there are other benefits: a more expensive place might be in an area with lower council tax, for instance.

Step 2: Register Your Interest

The first step is to register with us by calling +44 (0)845 481 1640 or you can visit one of our offices where you can discuss your property requirements with a Gibbs Gillespie representative.

Our website provides a user-friendly search facility to make finding your perfect home easy or you can register with [befirst], our unique property match system.

[befirst] now offers tenants an easy and convenient way to find a new rental property. By simply entering a few key details about yourself and the type of rental you’re looking for, you’ll be automatically emailed information about properties that match your chosen criteria. You will also know when properties are about to become available, providing you with a valuable head start to finding the perfect home. Click here to register with [befirst].

Step 3: The Search Begins

Once you know what you’re after, it’s time to start looking for places that measure up. Bear in mind that most landlords are looking for tenants who can move in within 2-4 weeks. If you won’t be ready to move by then, it might be worth waiting.

Step 4: Viewings

Once you’ve found somewhere you like the look of, we can make a viewing appointment so you can get a real feel for the place. In order to avoid disappointment, we recommend an early viewing.

Although it’s best to look around a home in daylight, we’re open until 7pm during the week so you can take a look after work. We’re open on Saturdays and Sundays too.

Step 5: Agreeing the Let

Once you’ve decided on a particular home, we move into the ‘letting agreed’ stage. You tell us you want to go ahead, and we’ll tell the landlord the good news.

This is when we check your references – there’s a reference fee to pay at this stage. Assuming there’s no problem and the landlord is happy, you then pay the deposit and advance rent, and you’re on the home straight.

Step 6: Sign the Tenancy Agreement

We’ll handle the paperwork and provide a tenancy agreement for you and your landlord to sign. It’s legally binding, so make sure you read it carefully. We’re happy to answer any questions you have. 

Among other things, it will tell you:

We use an independent inventory company at the beginning and end of all our tenancies, to make sure that the inventory is accurate and fair. This will be supplied to you and the landlord.

Step 7: Move In

When the paperwork’s done an advance rental payment is required prior to the move in date.

A rental deposit is also required from you. This will be reimbursed to you at the end of the tenancy, subject to the details of your agreement and the findings of the inventory check-out report. As per recent legislation, where relevant, your deposit will be held by a third part as part of the TDPS (Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme). 

We’ll arrange for you to pick up the keys. 

Welcome to your new home!