Preparing your apartment to let

• Don't get personal. Stick to neutral colours that will go with anything. For example, a red sofa might not match a green carpet. However, all colours look good on beige.
• Stick to a common theme on all your properties, e.g. magnolia walls, white ceiling, white six panel doors etc.
• Carpets - light beige looks great when clean. Light colours make rooms look lighter, brighter and bigger. They also encourage cleanliness and are easy to justify cleaning when a tenant vacates. Look for felt backed bleach cleanable carpets which cost around £5.99 per metre and do not require underlay. Replace carpets every 3-5 years and get carpets cleaned every time a tenant moves out. You could consider recovering the cost from the tenant's damage deposit.

If letting yourself:

Join your local Landlords' Association.

• This is the easiest way to keep up with legislation and to obtain advice on getting your paperwork right (tenancy agreements and notices etc.).
• Other landlords in your area will be keen to share good and bad experiences. Learn from their experiences rather than making your own mistakes.

Documentation

• Obtain full details including names, addresses and contact numbers of referees and emergency contacts. Also obtain previous addresses, employer details and proof of earnings. This makes it easier to track down absconding tenants.
• Fill in an application form at the prospective tenant's home in order to see how they look after it.

Fees

• Charge a fee to tenants of around £100 for completion of tenancy agreements, referencing, inventory etc.
• If letting out a room in a flat share you do not need to charge a fee.

Deposit

• Take 2-4 weeks rent plus one month's rent monthly in advance. Tenants often cancel standing orders on the month prior to final payment - if this happens you still have some money to cover damages.

Inventory

• Prepare an inventory - include everything stating the colour, condition of walls, ceilings, doors, fixtures & fittings etc, and get it signed so you can prove damages when the tenant vacates. The more detail, the better. Even include the colour of light switches and door handles and what they are made of. Comments like "carpets have just been professionally cleaned" or "walls are freshly painted" will also help to prevent disputes on checkout.
• Ensure that you arrange a checkout inspection and make sure the tenant is present - get them to sign confirming any damages and/or required repairs.
• Complete utility meter checks and ensure the incoming/vacating tenant signs to confirm meter readings.
• Inform the utilities companies and local authorities in writing of incoming/outgoing tenants and any applicable meter readings.

Look after your tenants

• Happy tenants will respect your property and will refer other potential tenants to you.
• Remember, it's the little things that make a big difference - birthday cards, fast responses to problems, etc.

About the Author

Freelance writer. We are committed to provide free helpful information about the real estate market.

About the Author

Jonathan Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Moving into a new home? Where ever you are moving, this can be a hectic time for every one involved. There are so many details that can easily be overlooked. Organization is the key to making it an easier process.

With that in mind, here is a helpful checklist of items you will need to remember before, during and after the move.

Before the Move

Address Change

• Leave a forwarding address to your old landlord
• Alternatively set up a Post Office redirection
• Change all Credit Card and bank account address details
• Change magazine subscription address details

Utility Companies

• Arrange to close accounts with telephone, gas, electric, cable tv, and internet companies or transfer your account to the new address.
• Get refunds on any deposits made.

Insurance

• Notify Company of new location for coverages including auto, life, health and home insurance.

Medical Records

• Ask Doctors and Dentist for referrals in your new town, Obtain medical records. Transfer your prescritions, X-Rays, eyeglasses info.
• Register with a new GP and dentist.

Schools

• Find out the school your children will be attending and ensure you have the necessary records   transferred to the new school.

Automobile

• Ensure the DVLA is notified of the new address for the keeper of your vehicle.
• Ensure the DVLA is notified of the new address for your drivers license.

Pets

•  Inquire about regulations, tags, vaccinations, licenses, etc.

Things You don't want to Forget.......

• Empty petrol from the lawn mower, and any other petrol powered tools that will be shipped with the moving company.

• Defrost the freezer and clean the refrigerator.

• Clean rugs before moving and have them rolled up and wrapped in plastic so they arrive clean.

• Label the boxes that you will need to open right away when you get to your new house.

• Check with your moving company about:

  • Insurance coverage
  • Arrival day, time and where they meet you
  • Packing and unpacking labor
  • Time and method of payment (most movers won't unload your things until they are paid in full).
  • A phone number where they can reach you any time
  • Shipping papers that need to be signed
  • Make sure you car is serviced before the trip, if you are driving
  • Care arrangements for infants or pets during the move

Things to do on Moving Day

• Take a local phone directory with you for the new town.

• Personally carry valuables, jewelry and personal documents with you

• Make hotel reservations if you are traveling for more than one day or if you have to wait for the movers to arrive.

• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover the cost of expenses until you arrange for new banking services in the new city.

• Inform a friend or relative of your schedule and travel route.

• Check closets, cupboards, and drawers one last time to make sure that you are not leaving any items behind.

• Leave the old keys with the new owner or real estate agent or a neighbour.

• Make sure you have keys to the new house, or have arranged to get them when you get to your new home.

At the New Address

• Arrange for someone to be at the new home when the moving van arrives.

• Check the condition of all items, furniture, etc. before you sign the moving receipt.

• Find out how many days you have to file a claim for any possible damage.s

• Activate service for telephone, gas, electric, water, cable tv/Sky and internet.

• Check with post office for forwarded mail

• Have appliances checked and ensure lights are lit, if necessary.

• Write to council office and register to vote

• Register children in school

• Arrange for new doctors, dentist, veterinarian, etc.

• Meet the new neighbors !

About the Author

Even if you're just living in rented accommodation, it is still advisable to have some sort of Life Cover! At The Premium Wizzard website we offer all UK residents, lots of information and amazing deals on Life Cover. So take time out, look at The Premium Wizzard.

Inquire Within Your Personal Network

The easiest way to bag a flat mate is to ask your friends or acquaintances — some of them may need a room or flat mate too. While searching for a flat mate, you need to define your requirements to be sure that it will provide results with easy and interesting people you can share an apartment with. The kind of person you can discuss with and/or who may have something in common with you.
A flat mate can be of the opposite sex and it's a good opportunity to meet your future mate! You can find a mate, a friend, or more.

Shared/Mutual Interests

Try looking for a flat mate with similar interests. You will not only communicate well but you will have a lot of common ground and hobbies to participate in.

Broaden Your Horizons

You shouldn't limit your search to people like you.Just imagine the communication you can have if you are game head and your flat mate is a gym rat! or you happen to be a gourmet while your new flat mate is a sky diving instructor.

Sell Yourself

Upload some great photos of yourself and/or your apartment, great looking photos are a major selling point, To make your ad better, you should include some personal information e.g your likes and dislikes.

If you're in a nice area, a paragraph on what is available to prospective flat mates is another selling point. If you can sell an attractive lifestyle it will make it easier for people to imagine living in the area.

Communicate With Each Other

Try discussing the issues that matter before staying together. To avoid future problems and misunderstanding it’s best to inform your future flat mate that you can’t bare smoking inside or you prefer to live in solitude.

Maintain Your Privacy

Don’t provide full information about yourself if you are searching for a flat mate on online adverts. Our site is here to help you make your search easy! you can create your own profile and, thus, help other people to find you!

Besides, one of the advantages over traditional ways of searching for a flat mate is that you don’t need to give a potential flat mate all your contact details (phone number or address) without properly vetting them. This ensures that you won’t be bombarded with emails, photos or phone calls.

1. You come home wanting to talk about your day to someone. There are people who like coming home to a quiet apartment. And there are those who become depressed at the thought. If you hate coming home to an empty apartment, then you may need a flatmate. Just make sure you find a flatmate you're compatible with.

2. You have no money to yourself or to put in savings after paying off rent, utilities and basic living needs such as food and transportation. Flatmates help you save money. Most times, rent is cheaper with a flatmate. Also, flatmates split the cost of cable television, utilities and home supplies.

3. You hate cooking dinner for one. Find yourself cooking a platter of lasagna and freezing it for weeks as you slowly finish it off? Maybe you yearn for a buddy to help with the cooking, cleaning and, of course, eating.

4. You like having friends who know what you look like before you put your make up on. Flatmates have a special bond, because you've seen each other when sick, tired, crabby and sans make-up or hair gel.

5. You have a dog and need help walking it.  if you do have a dog, it would be nice if your flatmates shared the responsibilities of taking it outside. It's also a good idea to share pet safety concerns with your flatmates.

Disparities In Apartment Sharing

Whether you experience sharing an apartment as being positive, negative or a mixture of the two will probably depend very much on how similar your personal house rules are with the person that you co-habit with.

We all have different views and opinions on how it is best to live. How we conduct ourselves in our own homes can also be a little different from how we present ourselves to the outside world.

Therefore, many of us end up sharing an apartment with a friend who we thought that we got on with like a house on fire, only to find that what we once experienced as warmth has turned into hot, frayed tempers about whose responsibility it is to carry out household chores.

Advantages of sharing an apartment.

Sharing living space with another can mean sharing much more than just your home if you want it to. It can be very cost effective to share household bills and duties rather than being solely responsible for them.

If you get on well with the other person then you can also share time with them and discuss any problems or difficulties that you have faced during the day, as well as any joys that you have encountered.

When you live in the same dwelling as another person it can also mean that when you come home late at night you are greeted by them, or at least by the warm glow of their bedside lamp as you come up the drive to your apartment. If you are concerned about safety or dislike being alone, then you also have the comfort of knowing that there is someone else in the house.

You may find that you and the other person move in different social circles and that as a result of living together you meet new people who you never realised that you could be friends with before. Your own social life can expand as a result as well as you finding yourself provided with others to network with.

Disadvantages of sharing an apartment.

Finances are often a bone of contention with those who share apartments. While sharing bills can be an advantage if you can work them out fairly, they can also lead to much ill will and arguments when you come upon a disagreement about who should pay for what. The best that you can hope for is that the other person is honest and expects to pull their financial weight.

Another possible problem can arise when the other person finds a partner that they end up spending increasing amounts of time with in the apartment. If this happens then you can look forward to loud noises from the bedroom, extra mess that is left for you to deal with or put up with and a possible further strain on finances. It also means that you may have to spend time with your friends partner around even if you dont like them.

Yet another possible problem is a clash in tastes. It is possible that one of you may be a minimalist, preferring cleanliness and order, while the other thrives on mayhem and clutter. This isnt a good combination and will definately lead to trouble unless both parties agree to turn down their style and to compromise.

You have problems with your flatmate. He just leaves the dishes in the sink for you to wash. Or her clothes hang on the couch. Or he never takes out the trash. You've already had several spats over her messy habits, but the flatmate problems haven't disappeared and you can't move out.

You're not alone. It is very difficult to find a flatmate with whom you get along and who has the same cleaning habits. If you can't or don't want to find a new flatmate, there are ways to calm the tension.

The most important rule to remember is to resist the urge to clean up after your messy flatmate. This may encourage your flatmate to clean even less; they may think, consciously or subconsciously, if he will do it, why should I? Also, it is unfair to you, because you may find yourself constantly tidying up.

Instead of cleaning all the time, set some suggested rules with your flatmate.

Remind yourself that your bedroom is the only place in the apartment you truly have control over. Decorate or furnish your room, so that you have one haven in the apartment. You must compromise over the common areas.

It is hard for many tidy flatmates to understand why their messy flatmates wait so long to clean the dishes or take the trash out. Remind yourself that not everyone works on the same cleaning schedule. While some prefer to clean and pick up after themselves every day or every other day, others clean once a week or every other week. If your flatmate cleans a little less often than you do, resist the urge to force your flatmate into your schedule. Instead, try compromising on the number of days dishes are allowed to sit in the sink or when trash must be taken out.

Also, try dividing the chores. You can take out the trash and your flatmate cleans the dishes. This may help your messy flatmate focus on only a few chores and develop a habit of keeping certain areas clean. If you do this, make sure to assign yourself chores that you care most about, so that you can be certain these will get done.

Consider hiring a cleaning service. Talk to your flatmate about splitting the cost of a cleaning person. This may take some of the burden off of you and get your flatmate financially involved in keeping your apartment.

Picture this. Friends dropping by unannounced to watch pay per view boxing. Your flatmates’ high school chums camping out on the couch for three weeks until they find their own flats. Parties with uninvited guests traipsing in and out. Or even an annoying flatmate who wanders in and borrows your clothes. Despite all of this, there are ways to protect your home and valuables from others.

Yes, for cautious types, it’s an agonizing part of flat sharing that strangers will file in and out of your apartment. When home, it’s easy to guard against this, but how do you keep people out while you’re away.

For starters, I suggest taking a deep breath. Chances are, if you trust your flatmates, you can be sure to trust their friends. Sure, there’s always a suspicious person in a network of friends, but one can’t really guard against every danger.

However, if you live with a flatmate who doesn’t respect boundaries or have guests staying over frequently, protecting your room can be a good idea.

Adding a Lock to Your Door

Telling Your Flatmates About Your New Lock

Give a spare key to one trustworthy person