Frequently Asked Questions
Question about selling
While someone selling their home is more likely to be focused on the expected selling fee of their house, it is important to consider the costs associated with selling your home. Not all agents charge the same fee(s), and of course, not all agents provide the same standard of service. This means the value for money on offer from one agent might be very different to what is provided by another.No matter the fee charged by the agent, it is vital you know what services you need, and what constitutes good value for money for you.
In saying that, there are some guidelines to consider when it comes to agent fees. Most traditional High Street agents operate on a commission basis, and you’ll pay a percentage of the final sales price. This is often between 1% and 3%, so make sure you have this in writing and you are certain on what you should pay.
About Morec: we do not charge any commissions on the sale at all except listing fees, as you are the one selling your property.
A Real Estate Broker is a professional in charge of overseeing transactions between buyers and sellers.
Their duties include drafting contracts and outlining all details, negotiating sale prices, and assisting each party’s needs as they arise during negotiations.
Question about renting
First on the list is figuring out which bills you’ll be paying, as it can make a big difference to your monthly budget.
The main ones to ask about are the gas, electricity and water bills, as landlords can handle them differently. Some might work it into your rent while others will want you to manage the bills and pay the supplier directly.
You’ll probably be responsible for Council Tax and internet bills but it’s worth asking about these too.
And double check that bills like service charges, buildings insurance and ground rent won’t fall to you. They’re typically covered by the owner of the property.
vestibulum nisi, eget dignissim ex
Reckon the current tenant is paying over the odds for their gas and electricity?
If so, you’ll want to find a cheaper deal – and that can mean switching suppliers.
The good news is that you have the right to switch energy suppliers if you pay the bill straight to them. This includes if you have a prepayment meter.
But in some cases, the landlord or letting agent might put a default supplier in the tenancy agreement.
So ask the question at your viewing to find out if there are any tie-ins with specific energy suppliers.
If you’re keen to get a water meter, ask the letting agent if it will be an option.
You’ll need the landlord’s permission if you’re renting the property for less than six months.
And while a 6+ month tenancy means you’re within your rights to get a meter, it’s still a good idea to check the landlord’s okay with it.
They’re less cost-effective for households who use a lot of water and you can’t get rid of a meter once it’s in.
So the landlord might need to think about whether a water meter will put some prospective tenants off in the future.
If you’ve got a furry best friend, this question will be high on your list of priorities.
So be prepared to offer assurances that your pet is well behaved and suitable for a rental home.
While landlords cannot put a blanket ban on pets, they can turn them down if they have a good reason.
It might be that the home is too small for pets, they think it could be a nuisance for neighbours, or it might cause damage to furniture.
When you ask the letting agent about the pets policy, it can help to mention your pet’s medical details, such as their vaccinations, and get a reference from a previous landlord.
But keep in mind that you’ll need written permission from the landlord to confirm. They can turn your request down within 28 days of receiving it.
If the rental property is either furnished or part-furnished, find out exactly what will be in the home when you move in.
After all, a lot of what you see on your viewing could belong to the existing tenants.
It’s not just limited to furniture, either. Double check that white goods will be in place, as they can cost a lot to buy.
And if you’d rather bring your own furniture into a furnished place, ask the letting agent if it’s okay to swap them over.
They’ll need to check if the landlord is happy to find storage or sell their existing furniture
All rental homes must legally have a minimum EPC rating of E to show it meets a certain level of energy efficiency.
The closer the EPC rating to A, the better. It means it’ll cost you less to heat and run your home.
If it’s rated G or F, the landlord’s legally required to improve its energy efficiency before they rent it out
Find out if you need to look after the garden, as it tends to vary with different rental homes.
In most rentals, it’ll be down to you to keep it looking neat and tidy. You could ask if you can add furniture or a barbecue to really make it your own.
The landlord is responsible for any parts that would be unreasonable for you to look after, like trees, hedges and fences.
If you have a communal garden, there might even be a paid-for gardener in place.
Parking is always going to be a biggie, so find out what the deal is from the off.
If there’s only street parking, find out if you’ll need to get a permit from the local council and how much it costs. See if you can apply for more than one permit or a guest permit as well.
Try and get a sense of how busy the street is too. Even with a permit, you can end up having to park a street or two away.
See if the road has any parking restrictions, as this might make it difficult for people to visit you. Restrictions are most common near train stations, schools and town centres, but they might only apply for a few hours a day.
If you’re lucky enough to have allocated parking, check how many spaces you’ll get.
Don’t forget to check out the public transport options too, for those times when the car’s in the garage or you need to get home from the pub.