Steve A Smith asked:




Many of the Britons who are renting property could be putting themselves under financial pressure, a study has revealed.

According to new research by AA Legal Services, half of those renting a home do not have a written tenancy agreement from their landlord before moving into a property, despite this being a legal requirement. With a significant number of consumers are being priced out of the home-owning market, the company reported that a quarter of these people “being forced to rent”. However, with more tenants revealed to be concerned about the size of their bedrooms rather than how they would be able to reclaim their deposit, it was suggested that many Britons could be leaving themselves open to unnecessary financial pressure upon signing a rent agreement.

Commenting on the figures, James Molloy, head of AA Legal Services, said: “These findings demonstrate how poorly people protect themselves when moving into a rented home. It is vital that you agree your tenancy agreement and check everything, including inventory and utility meter readings, before you accept the keys to your rented home. Yet thousands of people are just not doing so and are putting themselves and their home at risk.”

The study also revealed that more than half (55 per cent) of consumers do not take electricity, gas or water meter readings before moving into a property. As a result, the financial services firm claimed that this could lead to them facing “unexpected bills”, which in turn may see them develop problems meeting other demands on their spending such as credit cards, overdrafts and tenant loans. In addition, a “shocking” 59 per cent of renters are unaware as to their notice period, a move AA suggested could leave people in “the lurch with unbudgeted months of rent to pay”. Findings from the financial services firm also indicated that 55 per cent of respondents do not take the time to make sure that their rental payments are clearly set out and agreed upon, which may see them paying more money than they should each month.

Meanwhile, the financial services firm reported that just over one in five (22 per cent) claim that they have taken steps to ensure their finances will be able to cope with the demands that moving into a rented house or flat can bring. As a result, Mr Molloy advised those consumers who are concerned about a property they wish to rent to seek out advice from a solicitor or some other “reputable organisation”.

Should people renting a home find that they are coming under surging financial pressure, for whatever reason, the taking out a personal loan could help them relieve such stress by merging numerous demands on spending into a single low-rate loan. Speaking earlier this month, Moneyfacts analyst Lisa Taylor reported that borrowers need to take the time to make sure that they are getting a competitive rate of interest on a personal loan, as a number of lenders have increased their rates over the last nine months. She stated that choosing the “wrong” loan could see consumers paying double the amount of interest then is necessary.

Caroline

Mark Dawson asked:




A complacent attitude towards their finances could see many Britons struggle with money as they get older, new figures highlight.

In research released by Defaqto, a number of consumers are “sleepwalking” into financial hardship as they are saving an inadequate amount of cash into pension schemes. And as a result of a shortfall of deposits into savings accounts, they may face pressures on their ability to service demands on their spending in later life, for example on utility bills, secured loans and mortgage costs.

The study also revealed that there are more people who are saving up for their next foreign holiday than those putting cash away for retirement. Meanwhile, money management difficulties could be even more pronounced for the one in three consumers who are not making any pension contributions at all.

Commenting on the findings, Matt Ward, principal consultant of pensions and wealth management for Defaqto, said: “Our research showed that many people are sleepwalking into retirement. While the majority are planning to retire from full-time work at or around normal retirement age, many people realise that their income in retirement may meet their needs”.

“For this reason, some 50 per cent of those currently working expect to either continue doing some work in retirement or to defer their retirement to make their savings last as long as possible. Relying on part-time work could be really dangerous, partly because the jobs might not be there when they are needed and partly because people may not be able, or indeed inclined, to work when it actually comes to it.”

Mr Ward added that consumers need to start thinking about their financial future “now”. By putting as much money as possible into pension accounts when they are able to do so, they will be able to provide themselves with “the greatest degree of comfort” for when they get older.

Additionally, the financial research company revealed that people are looking for greater assurances about the money they are saving for later life, with consumers wanting more guarantees concerning how much they will be due to take out upon giving up work. Meanwhile, a larger number of Britons are seeking “more incentives” to begin saving for retirement. About a third of respondents believe that everyone should be made to put money towards a pension scheme, while there was also support for the idea that employers should have to provide retirement accounts for their staff.

For those concerned their present financial situation does not give them enough opportunity to put money into pension schemes, taking out a debt consolidation loan could be an advisable option. In doing so, borrowers will be able to merge existing debts owed on loans, overdrafts and credit cards into a single monthly repayment. Such a move could be welcomed by some 1.5 million people over the age of 55, as research from Scottish Widows showed that such consumers will have to work beyond retirement age due to a shortfall in the money saved into pension schemes. The study also indicated that some 41 per cent of this age group view their current financial situation as being “tight” as they do not have sufficient disposable income at the end of each month to allow them to begin saving.

Milton