Renting my first flat! Advise Please!

kim_35_2

I am considering renting a nice little flat which I went to view last week.

Everthing was fine apart from 3 small things......

1 - The carpets are all cream which is fine, but the living room one is in a right state, i mean it was COVERED in stains!

2 - The bathroom has carpet too and where the shower has dripped the carpet is all mouldy!

3 - In the kitchen there is room for a washing machine behind a cupboard door.

I asked the estate agents and they said I was quite right to query it cause the landlord really should be sorting it out, regardless whether I rent it or not. Prob the reason it has sat since October empty!

So they contacted the landlord and she has cleaned the carpets but estate agents said they dont know if it has worked and I have to go and have another look on Sat.

Should the landlord be replacing the carpet in the living room and bathroom?

And should there really be a washing machine in it?

If not should I ask not to pay a deposit or a reduction off the rent and I would be willing to change them myself, but I dont really think it should be me that has to do it?

Also if she doesnt do anything for me then maybe would I have problems in the future, say if the boiler broke down?

Any advise greatly appretiated:j

Kim x

skint-student-nurse

hi, i cant help with the first two questions but everytime i have rented ive had to supply my own washing machine - and people i know who are landlords prefer not to supply washing machines as it is one less thing they are responsible for in regards to the property as it needs PAT testing,time and expense if something goes wrong with it,etc.

lindsaygalaxy

washing machine is not always included.
carpets are how they are just make sure it is in your inventory, but be careful, not sure this shows the LL cares much!

vixarooni

I have just recently rented my first flat, i must say on reflection i was over excited and it probably clouded by judgement slightly. I think the fact its in a bit of a state and left empty since october indicates others have been put off.

I would probably look elsewhere if it were me. If you have to chase these things up before your renting it, what will it be like once youre in it?

Teacher2301

lindsaygalaxy wrote: »

washing machine is not always included.
carpets are how they are just make sure it is in your inventory, but be careful, not sure this shows the LL cares much!

I agree - make sure landlord/ representative acknowledges stains/ mould - I'd take photo's with them there and then there can be no dispute - ask if they got the previous tennants to get it cleaned and if they used a professional cleaning service. Get that on paper if you can (a letter confirming denying it)- if no - then you have evidence that they do not use them and cannot enforce any 'charge' and deduct from your deposit. On this note - do check the landlord has put your deposit in a safety account - to prevent it from going missing - if they decide to go and not pay you back.

Get your bills changed over quickly and make a note of the readings the first day you move in - then phone the providers quickly so you are not left paying the last tennants bills unmistakenly.

Don't forget council tax gets 25% for single occupancy (free if everyone is a student in FT education).

Find out about any maintenance costs and shared area bills - these are made clear by fair landloards but hidden by more scrupulous ones - ask neigbours/ other tennants what they pay and if you're quoted more - challenge. Don't be afraid if you have to pay a communial bill for electricity for hall ways etc - but this should be in your contract (you have got one? And you've read it through?)

On contracts - check on-line and see if yours is similar (is it a standard 6 month tennancy agreement?) or if there are any unreasonable terms made by the landloard - ie having to pay for damage from extreme weather (this should be on his insurance but check because I've seen it in my past)

Hope that helps?

M

kim_35_2

I agree - make sure landlord/ representative acknowledges stains/ mould - I'd take photo's with them there and then there can be no dispute - ask if they got the previous tennants to get it cleaned and if they used a professional cleaning service. Get that on paper if you can (a letter confirming denying it)- if no - then you have evidence that they do not use them and cannot enforce any 'charge' and deduct from your deposit. On this note - do check the landlord has put your deposit in a safety account - to prevent it from going missing - if they decide to go and not pay you back.

Good idea about pics! The landylady bought it in oct and think it is her first rental property so think she is as new to this as me!she had it cleaned on thurs last week but i wont know how clean it is until i see it on sat.

Get your bills changed over quickly and make a note of the readings the first day you move in - then phone the providers quickly so you are not left paying the last tennants bills unmistakenly.

I work for scottish and soutern energy so that will be the first thing i do!

Don't forget council tax gets 25% for single occupancy (free if everyone is a student in FT education).

Unfortunatly my boyfriend will be moving with me so no discount on council tax front!

Find out about any maintenance costs and shared area bills - these are made clear by fair landloards but hidden by more scrupulous ones - ask neigbours/ other tennants what they pay and if you're quoted more - challenge. Don't be afraid if you have to pay a communial bill for electricity for hall ways etc - but this should be in your contract (you have got one? And you've read it through?)

Didnt think about shared bills! It is secure entrance only but I suppose someone has to pay for the electric! I will def find out on sat when i see her! No tenancy agreement yet as still contemplating taking it.

On contracts - check on-line and see if yours is similar (is it a standard 6 month tennancy agreement?) or if there are any unreasonable terms made by the landloard - ie having to pay for damage from extreme weather (this should be on his insurance but check because I've seen it in my past)

Thanks for all the advise! I have a few things to consider now! Maybe im just being picky, But I dont really want to stay in a house with a mouldy carpe! Apart from that the flat is spotless! Maybe im setting standards too high?

Kim x

poppysarah

If you take it then take LOTS of photos before you move anything in. Give a copy on disc perhaps to the agent to confirm the state of the place.

Look in the local paper for cheap washers. There's a bloke that does them fitted for 99 quid in ours.