Questions to ask potential landlord

Dubber_2

Hi All

I have a meeting with a potential landlord later this week and wondered if anyone could give me some advice on questions I should be asking?

So far I have:

- What the council tax band of the property is
- If gas heating, is a gas safety certificate available
- Which TDS the deposit would be held under (would be an AST)
- What the contract length will be
- Whether they have permission to let if the property is morgaged

Any other good ones?

*miaomiao*

It's good that you came on this forum to check. I'm sure a lot of the very good LL and tenants will get back to you.

A few things off the top of my head are:
-When paying a deposit for the place, get a receipt and try to pay by cheque, bank transfer, etc as they are more easily traceable. Don't hand over your money until you have seen a few forms of ID (including photo) of who it is you are signing the money over to.
-Ask to see a copy of the Land Registry for the property. If they are the owner, their name should be at the top of the property listing although their address may be different if they live elsewhere.

*miaomiao*

Oh, and whereever you move, do ask to read the tenancy thoroughly before signing (even if it takes a few min to go through, crossing out or amending anything you don't agree with and initial this. Then when you are given an inventory, ask to hold onto it for a few days in the first week of your tenancy prior to signing and returning it. It can take a few days to realise if things are working, are marked or aren't present. A good agent or landlord shouldn't mind.

tbs624

Welcome to MSE

Have a look up at the top of this Board. There is a Sticky called A Tenant's guide to renting and one called RENTING? Check your LL has permission to let that property.

Much useful guidance in both of those

CIS

So far I have:

- What the council tax band of the property is

You can check this at https://www.voa.gov.uk - council tax bands are a matter of public record.

Mallotum_X

Whilst it might not be easy to ask it would be useful to know if they have permission to rent from their mortgage company (ie its not their old home still on a residential mortgage).

Landlords usually want references and financial checks done, shame that doesnt work the other way. "Are you up to date on the mortgage repayments" would be a great question if you had the cheek to ask it lol

Dubber_2

Thanks for the answers, sorry I didn't search first to find that tenants thread, it was very helpful.

CIS - many thanks for the tax band link, its in band C so 1 higher than my last place. One less question I need to ask.

Mallotum - I will certainly be asking about permission to let, not cheeky enough to ask anything too much more personal about the mortgage though! I've already done a little digging and found out when the property last sold and how much for (via zoopla). It was ages ago so its either been an investment property for a while or they used to live there (I won't mention my detective work though!).

ceh209

Ask them if the used to live there, their answer should give you a feel for whether they're a proper professional LL with loads of properties, or an accidental LL who hasn't a clue, or something in between.

If they did used to live there, you then open up the possiblities of asking them the house's quirks etc, how much it costs to run etc.

G_M

And check the property too! What condition is it in? Does the heating work? Does the loo flush? Single/double glazed? If window locks, are there keys? What furniture / white goods are included (don't assume because you see them that they are not the existing tenant's!)? etc

If the LL talks about/agrees to any repairs/improvements, get it in writing! Read/understand anything you're asked to sign. Get receipts for everything you're asked to pay. Understand in what circumstances a holding deposit/admin fee/whatever is fefundable..... or not.