Renting your first property can be a daunting and confusing experience. For starters, when should you start viewing properties and how many should you see? Here are some tips to help smooth the way for first-time renters.

How far in advance should you register with a letting agent?

This is probably the most important thing to get right. I suggest registering two to three months in advance, or as soon as you know when you need to move, within reason. If you leave yourself less than a month, there are likely to be fewer options and you will have to make more compromises.

What does it mean if an agent is ARLA registered and why is it important?

ARLA stands for the Association of Residential Letting Agents and is the industry’s governing body. Using an ARLA agent means that member agents have to work to a strict code of practice and there is a system of redress in place. I hope you never need it, but if things go wrong and if the agent cannot resolve your issues to your satisfaction you can then refer your complaint to ARLA. Staff will be fully trained on current legislation and are knowledgeable about the rental market and processes.

How do I decide where to live?

The best thing to do is to prioritise. What is most important to you? Value for money? Appearance? You may want to be close to a common or park if you like to exercise outside or have a pet, or you might want to be close to lots of bars and restaurants. Use your letting agent’s knowledge to help find the best area for your needs. Be willing to explore alternative options – for example, being on a good bus route might work better for you than being close to the Underground.

How many properties should I view?

In my mind, three is the magic number. If you see more than five you will end up viewing a lot of the same sort of thing, plus the market moves too quickly to give you the luxury of being able to see lots of properties without missing out. Fewer than three, on the other hand, isn't enough. Throw an anomaly into your search – go and look at one property which differs completely from what you're after just to check you’re making the right choice.

Who should view and when?

Families and sharers should try to view together to make sure everyone is happy. Evening and weekends get booked up quickly so it’s a good idea to try to take time off work to view everything in one go.

Why do I have to give references?

The job of a reference is to guarantee that you pose no risk to the landlord. Be prepared and have everything in place before you start looking. Remember, if you are a student or are still within a probationary period of employment, you will probably be asked to provide a guarantor. Make sure you pre-warn any referees that they are going to be contacted so they will be ready. This speeds up the whole process.

Anything else?

Every adult looking to rent a property now needs to prove they have a right to rent a property in the UK. If you have a UK passport or are from the European Union then a passport is all you need to provide.

Further information

Find out more about our letting services or view available properties to rent.