We've never paid more than a week of double rent.

It can be tricky, but when we apply for a place we usually say we'll take it from the date that suits us - and that has sometimes been at least two weeks after the date the property is actually available.

It comes down to how much competition there is for the place that you're after.

We are excellent tenants with a perfect record and so we've always found that landlords are quite prepared to wait that extra week or two to have us and so they've always readily agreed to starting the lease on the date we've wanted.

But yeah, if there is another applicant just as attractive as you who is willing to take the place from the available date, you may lose it. It's a matter of trying to assess what the demand is for the house and if you think there's not much competition for it, you'll probably be able to swing it.