Checklist for Renting a Property

Found a property you like? Ready to hand over some money? Stop right there. Make sure you know the answers to all the questions below first.

Exterior...

Is there a security light? Does it come with a parking space? If not, where is the nearest available parking? Do all the windows and doors lock properly? Are walls cracked? Is the plumbing or guttering in a good state of repair?

Location...

Is the house on a bus/ train/ tube route? How close are local shops? Are they within walking distances? Would you feel safe walking back at night?

Interior...

Is there a fire alarm? Is the house clean? How many bedrooms are there? How big is my room? If it's the smallest, do I pay less rent? How much storage space will I have? Is the furniture in good condition? Is everything free of mould? Does the landlord have a gas safety certificate? Is there a carbon monoxide detector?

Flatmates...

Who will my flatmates be? How many of them will there be? Are they students? Are there any rules on visitors?

Money...

How much is my rent? Can I really afford it? How much deposit do I need to put down? Does it include contents insurance?

Bills...

Does the rent include bills? Is the house wired for broadband? Does it have boiler, drainage, electrical and plumbing cover?

Repairs...

Who is in charge of repairs? What is the landlord expected to provide? Is it up to me to provide cosmetic improvements if anything goes wrong – curtains, for example?

The Lease...

How long is the lease? What happens if I have to break the contract? Do I need to provide a reference – or a guarantor?

REMEMBER... Don’t feel pressured into signing anything you aren’t sure about, and don’t rush – it’s better to take a long time than end up somewhere dangerous. Remember that you will realistically have to live there for up to a year. You have to be comfortable.