Good places go fast, so here are our tips for getting ahead of the rest to secure the best property:

• Register and use our facility to notify you as soon as relevant properties become available
• Start viewing them as soon as possible.   A lot of properties for rent won’t be available to move in to for at least four weeks, or even longer on student houses where new lets are often agreed months in advance
• Have a cash reservation fee ready (and get a receipt for it)
• Have copies of references from your employer and previous landlords available, together with your bank  details, documents proving your ID and full address with postcodes for the last three years – the agent will need these for the reference check
• Be ready to sign a tenancy application form – this will allow the agent to check your references and run a credit check
• If you think you may need a guarantor, get this set up in good time (and check if the agent or landlord will accept one)

Reference checks
If you like the property, you will have to pass reference checks. The fee for this reference check is usually included in the mediation costs wich are charged on a no cure no pay base.

If you pass, you may be asked to pay a reservation fee or holding deposit. Normally, you will lose this if you change your mind and decide not to take the prop.