Tips on Renting in Durham

Durham is a modern city in North East England. Famous for its interesting history and respected Univeristy, Durham is a very attractive place to live. If you`re thinking of renting in Durham, we can offer a little advice and tell you a bit more about the city.

Did you know that a local legend states that the city was actually founded by `divine intervention?` Indeed, 12th century documents which were written about the area show that a collection of monks first founded Durham by creating a modest cathedral which was later replaced by the Norman cathedral which still stands there today.

The current rental market in Durham is excellent. In some areas 4 bedroom houses are available for under £600 per calendar month. These are perfect for young families or sharers. Durham has it all; student houses, family homes and luxury apartments for young professionals.

Rental Properties

When you`re considering renting property in Durham, look for properties which are modern and recently renovated if possible. This should decrease the chances of there being a problem which you`ll need to contact your landlord about. Also be sure to budget accurately, because once you`ve signed a contract, if you can`t meet the cost of rent you could be liable for eviction and possibly prosecution.

When it comes to tenancy contracts it`s essential that you read them through carefully and ask questions about any terms or details you don`t understand. If you accidentally break your contract you could lose your deposit. Follies include simple things like allowing friends to smoke in a strictly smoke-free home, or not cleaning as frequently as the contract states.
When searching for rental properties consider the commute to and from work. Choosing a property which costs more but is closer to work could still save you money over a cheaper property further away. You could save cash by not needing to purchase travel passes and also cut down spending on snacks and magazines.

Try to go for estate agents which either charge low administration fees or not at all. Feel free to visit several agents or call them and ask them about their fees. Administration charges (for processing the rental agreement) can vary dramatically in cost, from £30 to over £100.

Rights and Responsibilities

As a tenant you have various rights by statute. However, it`s essential that you know the terms of your contract so that you can fulfil your own responsibilities as a tenant too.

Your landlord is bound by regulations. They are not allowed to turn up uninvited or without giving notice, neglect the property, shut down utilities such as gas or electricity supplies, allow other tenants to threaten you or prevent your friends from visiting you.

They also, cannot threaten you in order to make you leave or offer you cash bribes to leave the building. Before you find a house to rent in Durham, ensure you know you basic rights along with the stipulations of any contracts you consider.