Renting Long-term in Nottingham
Nottingham is a beautiful and welcoming place, and you will find that West Bridgford has everything that you could need in order to settle down happily with your family and develop a community around yourselves alongside you employment or business.
Long term rental, defined as a contract of 6 months or more, when speaking of people relocating to the UK from Hong Kong would usually be an unfurnished property. You may actually be looking for a furnished house, and this is possible to find most commonly by negotiation with the landlord. If you specifically search for a furnished house you will find that your results are reduced dramatically and the standard of furnishings might not come up to your hopes as they are almost always meant for student accommodation which is not luxurious in the main.
Long term rental, defined as a contract of 6 months or more, when speaking of people relocating to the UK from Hong Kong would usually be an unfurnished property. You may actually be looking for a furnished house, and this is possible to find most commonly by negotiation with the landlord. If you specifically search for a furnished house you will find that your results are reduced dramatically and the standard of furnishings might not come up to your hopes as they are almost always meant for student accommodation which is not luxurious in the main.
- You will find all available properties in the area of your search if you use Rightmove.com
- It's a good idea to create a profile and use the mapping facility (if you have a target geographical area) and the alert system to email you when properties which fit your criteria get put up onto the website - all of this is free to you.
- You can research crime in particular areas, as well as demographic data using these links.
- You would be well advised to wait until you are in the country and out of quarantine to really start your search in earnest because the market is fast moving and most agents will not allow you to take a contract on a house which you have not actually seen in person.
- Don't be surprised when you are asked to allow a credit rating search, it is parti of the process. Unless you have a credit history in the UK, you will "fail" this test, or get a very low score whatever your financial circumstances due to the fact that you have no history. Here's how to get yourself started on gaining a better / best credit rating.
- As you won't be able to have a credit rating, the agent will invariably ask you for 6 months rent up front along with the deposit which is a maximum of 5 weeks rent held in a Government Deposit Scheme or run as a type of insurance.
- You should also be well prepared with your passport, and proof of your "right to remain" which you do have as a BNO passport holder along with any other ID which the agent may ask you for.
Checklist to consider:
- Furnished or unfurnished (unfurnshed usually comes with white goods like a fridge and sometimes washing machine and dishwasher)
- What is the Broadband Speed in the street? (can be very important if you are looking at remote villages)
- What is the 4G signal like? Will I need to change my mobile phone contract supplier to match (only usually necessary in remote places)
- School catchment area - what school does my child go to from this postcode and is it good?
- Transport Links to school, work and leisure activities
- Is there parking?
- Will the landlord allow pets?
- If you are looking at buying soon, think about how long the contract is
- Is there a park nearby, or open green spaces, or a garden
- When you've chosen a property, be sure to ask the agent for a copy of the :
- Gas safety Certificate if there is gas in the premises
- Electrical Test Certificate
- Proof of where your deposit is being help
- AST Contract
- Landlord or agent details for payment
- Phone number of who to call in the event of necessary maintenance.