Moving On After Separation: Finding Your Feet in a New Rental

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Separation is an unfortunate fact of life and something that all of us are likely to experience at some point in our lives. Recent census data has revealed that almost half of all marriages end in divorce, to say nothing of the long-term relationships and partnerships that end outside of datasets.

There is little you can do to prepare for such an eventuality in your own life, but should separation occur you must maintain a level head. Separations are emotionally challenging, and financially challenging too – to say nothing of the logistics involved in picking apart a life lived together. One not-insignificant part of this is the living situation. To make separation work short-term, you will likely need to rent a property. But what do you need to know about the process?

Finding a property

Naturally, the first step in this crucial move is to find a rental property. The rental market is atypical at the moment, having experienced some significant knock-on impacts from the cost-of-living crisis, and instability in the wider property market. High mortgage rates have caused rates for buy-to-let mortgages to skyrocket, rendering landlordism less profitable a venture. This has, in small part, contributed to a general uplift in rental rates. Meanwhile, more people are relying on rental opportunities than ever, resulting in historically high demand.

With this in mind, some careful research should be undertaken, to find a property within your budget that isn’t set to exceed your budget in a relatively short period. You will also need to be quick off the mark, as the rental market is saturated with people seeking similar opportunities. An alternative for those on a lower budget might be to seek a house-share, either with friends or in a pre-existing house-share arrangement.

Rights and Responsibilities

A return to the rental market as a newly-separated individual might feel like something of a culture shock, particularly if you have been sharing ownership of a home with your ex-spouse. Even if your home rental is simply a stop-gap while you arrange for a new permanent home, it is important to understand both the rights and responsibilities you have as a tenant.

As a tenant, your rights include ‘quiet enjoyment’ – a commonly misunderstood part of common law that simply guarantees you the right to privacy. In short, this manifests as a right to not be bothered by your landlord, and a right to notice should a landlord visit be necessary. As a tenant with an assured shorthold tenancy, you are also well-protected against early eviction.

Your responsibilities as a tenant include ensuring the property is well-maintained, and covering the cost of any damages beyond natural wear and tear. Here, renter’s insurance can be a lifesaver financially, as any extraneous costs are covered by the insurer rather than by your bank account.

Rebuilding Your Life

With a tenancy now properly secured, you can start taking the steps within it to rebuild a new life after separation. This will naturally include dividing belongings and assets; if you own property with your ex-partner, then buying you out of your share might be one option that could allow you to move on quicker. With a longer assured shorthold tenancy, though, you can make the requisite changes in other areas of your life – safe in the knowledge that your needs are being met.