Ideas for renting property

[Graye]

We are tossing around the idea of leaving France and moving back to the UK.

We have a lovely little place in North Yorkshire but little is the operative word - it's tiny. We want to keep it though - it's in a great place when it isn't tourist season, walking distance to the beach etc. So we are thinking of renting somewhere in that vicinity as well. Having never rented before, we have no idea where to even start looking. We don't want anywhere which could be described as a "des res" in agent-speak, just a place on its own with a biggish garden for growing stuff, unfurnished. We don't mind doing decorating etc. Where would anyone suggest we start looking for ads? Everywhere I've seen so far seems to be aimed at either students or executives!

[pumpy]

Hi Graye, can only suggest local media adverts;(with all the possible probs with private landlords). Is your existing place in a smallish area,where you might know the staff at the local Post Office? Sometimes they hear of empty properties that may be on the market. There are many possibilities,but usually "word of mouth", reaps rewards.

[mrsflibble]

www.rightmove.co.uk. all our lets have come from there originally.

[Loobyloo]

I second Right Move and add Prime Location and Find a Property

[mrsflibble]

prime location's email updates will plague you forever though hahahahaha!!!!!

[Silver Ether]

right move is good as is visiting the local letting agents.

[Cassiepod]

Also try the estate agents who look after large estates, eg Strutt and Parker (who we're thru) and Knight Frank. Larger estates with cottages are often more amenable to people who want to 'maintain' a property with minimum input from the owner. If you want to do things like alter the garden, decorate etc you really do need to go through private or estate lets because the majority of mainstream agents just can't cope with the concept of positive people who want to improve the home they live in even though they don't own it. Most commercial tenancy agreemetns are very clear that you can't do anythign to the property and often amy not evena llow you to 'maintain' the garden.

Try to find the names of local estates and the factors to see if you can mailshot them or the estate office about propreties.
Hope this helps. Cassie

[Graye]

Yes, the estate ide asounds more appropriate for us. We'll be back in the UK for 10 days or so shortly so I'll head off and check out what there is locally.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I have a better idea of what is out there now.