A Guide to Happy Renting

It's certainly a renter's market. House price slumps, huge deposits and reluctant lenders mean buying a new house is out of the question for a lot of people.How to find the right propertyHaving a nosey around other people's houses can be fun, but first you'll need to nosey around one of these: * Property Mail: often found tucked into local papers or available as free standalone papers in local newsagents or estate agents. This is a great way to find rentals in your area. * Estate Agents: these usually have a healthy lettings section for you to peruse. Also ask if they have a printout of current lettings and also leave your details so you can be contacted when a suitable property becomes available. * The Internet: the biggest estate agent window in the world. There are many sites you can use and they're generally simple to use. Narrow the search by area, price band, number of rooms etc. and you'll be presented with suitable properties in your desired area.What to do next?Once you've found the perfect pad, there are a number of things to finalise. * Paying a depositExpect to pay between one and two months rent as a deposit. To protect your cash, check that it goes straight into a government supported deposit protection scheme - reputable estate agents will do this as a matter of course. Take a look at our Guide to Deposit Protection Schemes for more information. RC Air Swimmers * Advance rentMost landlords will ask for the first month's rent up front so you'll need to have this money (plus any deposit) to hand before contracts can be signed. S107 helicopter * Read the contractRead through the contract carefully before signing it - it's a legal document after all. Don't feel pressured or rushed. You want to be sure you've made the right decision. * Check the inventoryThis is a list of all items in the house with a report on the condition of the property when you moved in. Check the house thoroughly yourself before signing it. * ReferencesYou'll normally be required to provide a personal and professional reference. Some agencies may even want a reference from your current landlord and bank, which can cost 20.Three ways to ensure a smooth move in * Note down meter readings: Unless bills are included, you'll need to set up your gas and electricity accounts, so make sure you check the meter readings as soon as you move in. Also, don't forget council tax. * Safety first: Make sure there are new batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and that your new home is equipped with a fire extinguisher. * Change address: Let your bank, phone company, TV Licensing and any other interested parties know the new address. You can also set up a mail redirect service with the post office, which costs from 7.65 a month. Also inform the DVLA if you own a car. Your car insurance premium may change depending on where you now park your car. Compare car insurance quotes, your new address cut mean a cut in premiums. Get contents insuranceA landlord's own insurance will cover just their possessions - such as furniture and carpets - but it won't cover yours. So, if you value that guitar, PC and flat flying shark screen TV, make sure you sort out home insurance as soon as you move in.