Renting a new home can be an exciting fresh start—but it’s important to know what you’re getting into. Whether you’re moving into your first rental or switching properties, understanding what to look for can save you stress, money, and future headaches. Here’s a detailed guide to what every tenant should check before signing on the dotted line.

Moving home isn’t just about the sale price. From legal fees to removals, there are plenty of extra costs to budget for. This guide covers the most commonly overlooked expenses so you can plan with confidence and avoid last-minute surprises. All costs in this guide are just an average and will vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and even where you live in the country so remember to ask for detailed costings.

As we are now half way through 2025, it's certain the Shepperton housing market has been more restrained than the post pandemic 24 months of summer 2020 through to July/August of 2022, and I believe that the ‘steady as she goes’ outlook will continue into the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Choosing a new home isn’t just about the property itself – the neighbourhood plays a huge role in your quality of life. From schools and transport links to local shops and community spirit, here’s what to look out for when deciding if an area is right for you.