A guide to renting in Bristol

Moving to a new city isn’t easy. It might take some time to adapt to your new surroundings and, unless you’re lucky enough to already be familiar with the area, the trickiest aspect of it will be finding the right accommodation. When looking for a place to rent, there are a number of important factors that come into place – the distance from your workplace, local amenities and the area’s safety.

Bristol is famously known for being a vibrant, exciting city to live in, offering entertainment on nearly every corner of the city – from historical attractions to up-and-coming restaurants and bars. So it goes without saying that, in a city that has so much to offer, you will be also spoilt for choice when looking for the perfect rental property.

To help you get ready for your move, we have put together a handy guide to renting in Bristol. This will give you lots of tips and ideas to speed up the process and be settled in your new home in no time at all!

Renting in Bristol: How to find the perfect property

Research the area

As mentioned, there are several factors that will come into play when choosing the perfect rental accommodation. Before you dive into flat viewings, do your research on the areas you think are most suitable for your needs. If you need help deciding on an area, on our blog you will also find a Guide To The Best Areas to Rent in Bristol.

Set a budget for renting in Bristol

Now that you know what the best areas for renting in Bristol are, it’s time to think about money. Will you be renting alone? Are you moving in with your partner? Or perhaps you’re looking for a cosy room in a house share? These are all things you should keep in mind when setting your budget. Your living circumstances will not only affect the price you will be paying for rent, but they will also give you a chance to pick the best area for your needs.

Start your search in a timely manner

There is nothing worse than your current lease running out before you’re ready to move into your new place, so start your search in a timely manner. Generally speaking, it will take you anything between two weeks and two months to find the perfect rental property. There are a few factors playing a role in this, such as your current tenancy notice period, whether you have any other dependencies (i.e. a job coming to an end) and your budget.

Get packing ahead of time

With rentals, things might move quickly, so it’s important you stay organised and on top of things. Moves can be stressful and there is nothing worse than living surrounded by boxes for months on end. Stay organised by putting everything you won’t be using until you’re settled into your new home into storage. Only keep the essentials with you. So, when the time comes and you’re ready to move in, the transition will be seamless. Vanguard self-storage in Bristol offers a range of options, from 10 sq ft lockers that can hold a couple of boxes to bigger storage units where you can keep all your belongings organised.

And lastly…

Ask your landlord for references

A good idea when looking for a new place to rent is to get a positive reference from your previous landlord. While this is not mandatory, it will definitely make you stand out from other potential renters. Thus improving your chances to get the place you’ve set your eyes on!

Don’t rent until you view

Sites like Zoopla and Rightmove have made it easier to find the perfect place to rent. However, the risk with online listings is that the property you’re going to rent doesn’t match the pictures. Before you put down a deposit, view a few properties and ask as many questions as you can. A few questions you should ask – either to the landlord or to the current tenant – are:

What are the neighbours like? How much roughly do you pay in bills monthly? Is the area safe at night? How much is council tax? Why is the current tenant leaving?

You’re ready to sign!

By the time you get to the bottom of the list, you should feel confident in your decision. You just need to sign the lease papers. Ask the landlord to show you the Gas Safety Certificate and the Energy Performance Certificate and make sure that your deposit is protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme.

Domestic self-storage in Bristol

With units starting from 10 sq ft lockers, up to 150 sq ft units with room for a whole house’s contents, our self-storage is perfect for customers who are in the middle of renovations or a house move. With over 55 years of experience in the storage industry, our team does everything we can to make these stressful times easier for you, with a free van service and flexible contract lengths.

Our Bristol Self Storage facilities bring Vanguard’s reputation for quality, competitively priced storage services to the city centre, in Redfield. As we know the importance of the safety and security of your cherished possessions, we go to great lengths to ensure our storage units in Bristol are the most secure in the area. Our self storage units are under constant CCTV surveillance, but our security measures don’t stop there. We have extensive burglar and fire alarms throughout, and entry is limited via a robust access system. This ensures that only authorised individuals can enter.