What to consider
Private renting is the quickest option if you are looking for a home in Trafford. If you are thinking about renting privately, there are a few things you need to consider.
Affordability
It's very important to make sure you can afford any property you sign up for. This is particularly important in Trafford as rent prices are higher than in other Greater Manchester areas.
You should start by working out how much rent you can afford to pay. There are many online rent affordability calculators that you can use to do this. Type “rent affordability calculator” into a search engine to find one.
You also need to be aware of the upfront costs. Most private landlords will ask for a deposit and rent in advance. They can legally only request one months' rent in advance and a maximum deposit that is equal to 5 weeks of the rent.
Trafford Bond Scheme may be able to help with upfront costs if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Property type
You should be as flexible as possible in the type of property you are looking for. Generally, the bigger the property, the more expensive it will be.
If you are a single person, you should consider renting a room in a shared house, as this will be your cheapest option.
Location
The location of a property is important. You should think about the transport links and facilities local to the property to make sure it meets your needs.
Certain locations are more expensive than others. Our Housing Bulletin contains the average rent prices across Trafford. The more areas you consider, the easier it will be to find a property.
Pets
You have a legal right to request to keep a pet which cannot be unreasonably refused by the landlord. Your request must be made in writing and should provide a description of the pet you wish to keep.
The landlord usually has 28 days to respond to your request in writing. Any refusal must be reasonable e.g. the property is too small, the pet is illegal to own, or another tenant has an allergy.
Getting advice
You may want to consider getting some further information or advice.
Shelter is a UK housing charity. They have guidance on the whole renting process on their website. Information and support on private renting from Shelter.
They can also help you understand your rights and get the support you need.