The Best Time to Rent a Property

Much like a career in magic (dramatic pause for effect), renting requires excellent timing. Yes, you’ll need a keen eye and sharp elbows to get ahead *sudden clown nose honk in background*… no Ronald, we’re not talking about comedic timing right now. We’re talking about property rentals, Ron, which is a competitive market at the best of times. So when it comes to making the competition vanish and transforming into the sole tenant of that beautiful pied-a-terre in Highbury, you could do with a touch of magic and a handy compendium. For today – and today only – we’re letting you peek inside our mystical property almanac, full of estate agent wizardry, precise timing and quite frankly covered in fairy dust… Atchoo!

Now for our first trick…

According to our D&D book of charms from 1927, finding your dream property (and, crucially, securing it) is both in the timing and also takes time. Don’t rush like the March Hare into a rabbit’s warren. Because it happens to come with a charming coat stand in the hallway for that top hat collection of yours. While rental properties magically appear on the market approximately 3-8 weeks before their availability date, it’s Merlin-wise to start perusing those covetable garden flats as soon as you make the decision to move in the first place. Sometimes move-in dates can be negotiated, and adverts may not reflect the most up to date details. So it’s worth having eyes on the ground from the word “go” – or “alakazam!”

Pick a flat, any flat….

If you like to have a strong hand of property cards to choose from, you may find the warmer months are the best time to start flicking through the aces. Summer is prime time for real estate. With the market really picking up in May before peaking from June to August. Every day you’ll discover a new studio magically pops up. A two bed will appear with a flourish, while a mezzanine materialises from behind your left ear. Hey presto, you’ve got your pick of the pads! Yet, with more choice comes more prospective tenants and higher rents. So if you’d rather less choice with more savings, keep watching…

The great competition vanishing act

If you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of the Summer rental buzz, then hold onto your top hat until October / November. As the nights draw in and the white rabbits nestle into their basement flats to hibernate. This is your time to hop out and steal the streetlight. Now the rental market eases off and the bargains start shuffling in front of your eyes. Though you might not find your sequin-encased dream pad. You’re likely to get more bang for your buck and move in comfortably before the festive season kicks off…

Avoid the dark arts (months)

While late Autumn and early Winter are great for bagging a bargain. December and January are generally an empty auditorium so to speak. Think bolted doors and locked boxes, with several over-sized padlocks for theatrical effect. As the hay bales roll down the streets and Christmas lights twinkle in the window of your most coveted end-of-terrace, try to keep your chin up. It’s a good idea to wait for February and March to move if possible, or you could pull the ultimate trick and negotiate yourself a tasty tenancy agreement with an unsuspecting landlord during this time. Landlords may be more keen to find tenants and willing to reduce their rates quite significantly in December and January. Ta da! That Victorian conversion is all yours.

And for our last trick…

Now, as the feathers and sequins are still settling, you may be left with some questions about how we did it. Often we aren’t in control of exactly what time of year we’re planning to move, which is why it’s best to stay informed, prepped and fully up to date with the areas you’re looking at. For more tips, tricks and secrets from the magic property circle, have a look at our Neighbourhood Guides and don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our glamorous assistants. Our very own Debbie McGees will be more than happy to answer any of your tricky questions about the dark art of renting and beyond, whatever time of year you decide to magically teleport…

Contact us:

alex@daviesdavies.co.uk – Lettings Director (contact for lettings and property management)

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, new homes and chartered surveying)

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

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