Did you know …. Renting Property

Over the last 12 months, the world has become a very different place and we want to assure you that Edward Mellor Estate Agents are following very strict government guidelines so that we can continue to give a five-star service. We are conducting COVID safe property viewings as well as any face to face meetings with our branch network that may need to take place.

In the current market, housing is moving at a fast pace and so too are rental properties. We advise anyone looking to rent a property to sign up for our newsletter which will give you up to date details of new instructions coming to market.

Property to Rent

Edward Mellor let houses, maisonettes, flats, and apartments of all shapes and sizes across Manchester, Stockport, and Tameside, and unlike many letting agencies we accept DSS applications for some of our properties. If you are in receipt of benefits or universal credit the following criteria will be required:

• you will need a guarantor to be eligible
• your guarantor will need to be earning at least 3.5 times the properties annual rent
• they need to be a UK resident and preferably a homeowner

We have many helpful guides and tips available to help you to find the right rental property and if this is your first time renting then you may want to take a read of our guide to renting beforehand.

Did you know …

• For people aged over 45, the average lease length is 24 months plus, 18 to 44-year-olds average lease length being 6 to 12 months.
• Families prefer more stability when renting, reflecting a commitment to local schools and community having an average lease length of 24 months plus.
• House sharers, couples and, single people average lease length is 12 months.
• Broadband speeds are a key important factor when looking for a new property followed by affordability and needing a garden. Key important factors have changed dramatically over the past 12 months since the way we all live now has changed.
• Renters that would usually look for 2 bedroomed properties are now looking for additional bedrooms or space that they don’t currently have to enable them to work from home more comfortably since the COVID pandemic.
• There are nearly 1.9 million students attending full-time university in the UK, a potential 551,000 students will move into a private rental home. Nearly 647,000 full-time students graduate each year with 304,000 graduates then moving into a private rental property.
• Students in the private rental sector spend an average of £568 on their share of rent a month with a total household rent of £1,468.
• Covid-19 will affect students during 2021 but 59% of students already at university secure their accommodation for the next academic year by the end of March with 27% having it secured by January.
• 8% of people rent a property in the UK.

These are all great statistics and the list continues and we will share more over the coming months.

Virtual Viewings

Edward Mellor Property Management prides itself on offering virtual views on all our properties that we have for sale as well as for rent either via our website and/or housing portals such as Rightmove. A virtual viewing gives prospective renters the chance to look around closely and to get a feel for the layout of the property. Would this property be an ideal home for you, would it tick all the boxes that you want from your new home, and would you be able to fit all of your possessions in the property?

Virtual viewings give you an outlook on a property and you may see things that you would not necessarily see when you are visiting the property and it does save a lot of time visiting lots of different properties. From this, we have seen that our prospective renters are being more positive and keen to view a property as they know from a virtual viewing that this could be the property they like.

We strongly encourage our prospective renters to look at virtual viewings in the first instance. We know this is not for everyone but unfortunately due to the circumstances in which we are working with we have to keep everyone safe.

COVID safe property viewing

Physical viewings are still taking place but only with our clients that express a very strong interest in a property. This will be subject to all guidelines that we have put in place are followed.

Property viewings are very strict with the health and safety guidelines we are following, which are regulation government guidelines.

Edward Mellor staff conducting property viewings will be wearing face coverings and disposable gloves. We also ask that all our prospective renters visiting a property also wear a face covering and a mask. Should you arrive without the necessary items the property viewing will not be able to continue.

• We request that only two people from the same household attend a viewing with one Edward Mellor staff member.
• We ask that no one touches anything within the property and that we are socially distanced where possible.
• All parties will need to have washed their hands and sanitised as much as possible.
• If applicable we will have already prearranged with the current tenant or owner the layout of the property in order for it to be easy to view. The tenant/owner will have opened windows and doors where possible so that there is no need to touch anything whilst a viewing is taking place. If at any point there is contact with a surface area this will be sanitised.
• If a property is empty Edward Mellor’s staff will wipe down any surfaces and door handles that have been touched after the viewing.
• If an Edward Mellor staff member is not present at a viewing we aim to make sure that all attending clearly understand how the viewing should take place so that all parties are safe.

It is our priority to keep our staff safe as well as keeping you safe too. 

Related Links

Home Insurance: Buildings Vs. Contents Cover

Home Insurance: add-ons explained

Virtual Viewing 360 tours are selling property