5 things to know about house-hunting in summer

Tenants | Thu 10 Jun 21

Hoping to move house this summer? Whether your motivation is finding a place with a garden for those longer days, or somewhere closer to good schools, lots of other renters have the same idea as you.

Summer is peak time in the world of renting for a reason, but don’t panic. Although you face more competition and might have to move faster to get the property you want, you’re likely to have more choice because of the number of people moving.

Here are five things to consider to help you decide whether to go for it this summer, or wait a little longer.

Make the most of bank holidays

With Good Friday, Easter Monday and two May bank holidays on the horizon, this is a good time to book in-person viewings if you need to. August also has a summer bank holiday at the end of the month. If you’re ready to move, you could try to get these dates to work in your favour so you don’t have to take time off work.

Check your agreement length

If you plan to move around June, check your new tenancy agreement. Some landlords might not offer six-month tenancies in case you move out over Christmas. Winter is notoriously difficult for landlords to find new tenants, so some might want you to commit to staying for a full year. If this is a problem for you, have a conversation with your agent or landlord to see if they can negotiate.

Pros and cons of school summer holidays

The long school break in July and August could be a blessing or curse for your house hunt or move depending on your situation, so consider this time period strategically. If you have children, booking viewings or planning to move during these six weeks could be a wise move to avoid disruption to work or school. But it’s likely to be a more competitive few weeks. If you don’t have children, you might think about waiting until September when schools return to give yourself a calmer moving or house-hunting process. Need to make a move quickly? Our Zero Deposit Guarantee can have you ready to move in a matter of days.

If you’re a student, plan in advance

If you’re going to uni this September or moving from campus to a house, you’ll have more choice if you start looking for accommodation early. Although there’ll always be somewhere available last minute, options might not be as nice or affordable.

October: the calm after the storm

If you have the luxury of time, you might want to wait until after the summer to move house. The property market typically slows down again in autumn. This could be good for you for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you won’t have as much competition from other house-hunters so you’re more likely to get your favourite property. Secondly, because October is fast approaching a period that’s harder for landlords to find tenants, you may find agents and landlords are more open to negotiate on rent or move-in dates.

Give yourself an edge in a competitive market

If you do find yourself needing to move house quickly this summer, our Zero Deposit Guarantee is a more flexible, affordable option than a traditional deposit. We can have you ready to move into your new home in a few days, which could give you the edge over other applicants.