Moving during the rainy season

Fewer people move between July and September, which means more choice and slightly softer prices. It also means moving your possessions through mud and rain.

The advantage

Landlords with empty houses in August are more willing to negotiate than the same landlords in December. If you can move then, you have leverage.

The practical problems

• Vehicles cannot always reach the gate on interior roads
• Mattresses and electronics do not survive being carried through rain
• Viewing in heavy rain hides some problems and exaggerates others

How to manage it

• Wrap everything soft in plastic, twice
• Move electronics separately, in a car if at all possible
• Start early — afternoon rain is more reliable than morning rain
• Confirm the vehicle can reach the actual gate, not the junction
• Keep a change of clothes accessible

The silver lining for viewings

Viewing a house in heavy rain shows you the roof, the drainage and the road at their worst. If it is acceptable in August, it is acceptable all year.