Our lettings manager, Sam, caught up with our recent move-in for Hillford Place. We think it’s important to be transparent, and what better way to demonstrate what it’s truly like to rent in Redhill, than from someone who currently is? We asked Clare and John all about it.
Hi, Clare! How much do you pay to live here?
£2,700pcm
The property was very popular so we actually offered £300 more than the asking price to try and secure it.
And what do you get for what you pay?
A detached home, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The 4th bedroom is converted into a study plus there is a separate annex in the back garden which is perfect as a home office. We have a separate utility room which is great for keeping the washing machine and tumble dryer separate from the kitchen area. We also have a small garage for storage. The garden is ample size for our dog to run around and there’s a lovely outdoor patio for sitting outside during the warmer weather.
We discovered under floor heating in the kitchen and bathroom when we moved in, which was a bonus.
Do you feel like you have a good deal?
We think we did alright – the property is quite spacious and we love the large back garden.
Plus the location is ideal – close to walking tracks for our dog, close to the train station, Reigate/Redhill shops are only a 10 minute drive away and it’s only a 15 minute drive to Gatwick Airport – perfect for when we’re traveling for work or leisure.
What do you think of the area, Redhill?
Our street is very quiet – being a no through road we only have local passing traffic and having no houses opposite also helps to keep the area peaceful.
The rail links into London from Redhill are very convenient as well (when the trains aren’t on strike of course!).
Having a dog, we love that the property is in such close proximity to multiple walking tracks, lakes and woodlands. We love all of the open spaces that are close by offering some lovely countryside views.
How did you find the property?
We found it advertised on the RightMove app.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Just!
Coming from Australia where the houses are a lot larger, we had a lot of furniture and storage items – but we’ve managed to fit most things into our home even if we’ve had to convert one of the bedrooms to a storage room.
Have you found it difficult to decorate when renting?
The walls were newly painted before we moved in – so nothing really needed changing in that regard.
We asked to install a doggy flap to one of the outside doors, which has been approved but we need to make good when we move out. The carpet on the staircase and landing needs replacing – but not sure the landlord will be willing to pay for that.
Other than that everything is pretty much to our taste.
How have you made the house feel like home?
We’ve added some pictures to the walls – this makes a huge difference!
Upon moving in we discovered the property had an open fire place that wasn’t in use. With our landlords permission and at our own expense we were able to make the fireplace operable. This has definitely been an added bonus to living here and it’s made the home feel very cosy during the winter months.
We have a large outdoor furniture setting which we’re looking forward to using during the summer months on our outside patio. We moved in at the end of September so we haven’t really had a chance to utilise the outside space that much just yet.
Are there any problems with the home you have to deal with?
Nothing as it relates to the home itself. There is a dog in the neighbourhood that loves to bark between 2-4am a few nights a week which we’re having to contend with… which isn’t ideal.
Do you have plans to move again any time soon?
No, we signed a 2 year lease and intend on being here that entire time unless my work situation changes.
Do you want to own a place some day or are you happy to rent?
We’re interested in buying a property in the UK… maybe in Scotland where my husband is from – more as a long term investment.
We own a home in Sydney that we’re currently renting out so we now know what it means to be a landlord and a tenant, which I think results in us being fair and reasonable with any requests to our current landlord.
On the other hand we’ve had the luxury of being able to do whatever you like to your own place without having to seek permission, so we’re slowly adapting back to that mentality and so far we haven’t really hit any obstacles.
If you have in insight to being a tenant in the Redhill, Reigate, Dorking and surrounding areas, and you’d like to be featured, we’d love to hear from you. Pop an email to our Content Creator at ashly@ralphjames.co.uk.
If you’re looking for a property to rent in Surrey, and you’d like to be among the first to be notified when properties become available, we’d love to hear from you. Call our Letting experts on 01306 284 555 or email our Lettings Manager at sam@ralphjames.co.uk.
