Tips for viewing rental properties?

kittiwoz

I don't think a LL can opt out of maintaining a hardwired fire alarm. They have responsibility for wiring. Tenants are responsible for minor maintenance (such as checking smoke alarm batteries) but maintenance of a hardwired smoke alarm is not minor. There's some info here though it doesn't address hardwired smoke alarms specificaly.

Sybarite wrote:

the power cable is cut to the alarm box by the maintenance guy = no fire alarm in the property.

:eek: Definitely illegal.

In my experience LL generally do work eventually but it can take a long time (I've known people go several months without variously a shower, a cooker and heating) and its normally the bare minimum and a bodge job. My experience relates to student housing though so if it is more upmarket then hopefully it should be better. In the case of minor stuff like fitting draught excluders and weatherstrip, re-sealing bathtubs and showers and fixing leaking taps it is my experience that it is far quicker and results in a much better job if you do it yourself although you are not supposed to do this. I've filled holes in the skirting board myself as well to try and tackle the mouse problem our landlord won't take action on.

rosysparkle

It's 20 past 1 and I should have gone to bed hours ago, but my initial feeling is that a wired-in smoke alarm should be maintained by the landlord, and if it's working at the commencement of the tenancy, it should be maintained and repaired as necessary by the landlord. Similarly, if a burglar alarm system is working on commencement of the tenancy, then it should be the landlord's responsibility to maintain and repair it so that works throughout the tenancy.

I will try and find out for you tomorrow regarding legislation, but I have a very busy day, so someone else might be able to find the answer sooner than I can!

franklee

Dummie wrote:

Hello All
Can any seasonal renters out there offer any advice as to what to look out for when viewing the property please? Do I need to turn on the taps and flush the toilets etc.

If the existing tenant is still living there then no, have some respect it is still their home. If they are around then try asking them if everything is working instead. If the tenant has already moved out then I would, with the permission of the person showing you round, try these out. Make sure the boiler is working too. I viewed an empty flat that had obviously seen some bashing from a corporate let and had been refurbished, new carpets painting the lot. Turned on the kitchen tap that was very stiff and the whole tap unit swivelled, it was almost too stiff to turn off. I left! Another flat had the electricity off and internal bathrooms, you'd need a torch to see in them...

rizla01

If the existing tenant is still living there then no, have some respect it is still their home

RUBBISH!!

If you are selling a house then prospective purchasers will not be showing disrespect if they try out the water tap or flush the toilet or open the oven door.

The existing is moving out and if they get upset then that would be between them and the LL.

If you are about to sign a CONTRACT that will tie you in to paying a large sum of money, each month, for the next 6 Mths then be sure that what you are signing for is in good order BEFORE signing.

In otherwords, satisfy yourself as to tHe condition of the flat and ALL of the items included.

Obviously, you wouldn't expect to touch any property belonging to the existing tenant.

franklee

rizla01 wrote:

RUBBISH!!!

Hey no need to shout.

rizla01 wrote:

If you are selling a house then prospective purchasers will not be showing disrespect if they try out the water tap or flush the toilet or open the oven door.

They would in my book if they didn't ask first, especially the oven door and wardrobe doors. My viewers certainly didn't do this unless I offered they could. But even so that's not quite the same, a seller will put up with more than a renter would as the seller benefits directly from the sale.

rizla01 wrote:

The existing is moving out and if they get upset then that would be between them and the LL.

Not the case. The existing tenant can ask viewers to leave if they want. If I had a viewer with your attitude I would do exactly that.

rizla01 wrote:

If you are about to sign a CONTRACT that will tie you in to paying a large sum of money, each month, for the next 6 Mths then be sure that what you are signing for is in good order BEFORE signing.

Yes I agree. But there can easily be a second viewing when the property is empty if necessary.

rizla01 wrote:

In otherwords, satisfy yourself as to tHe condition of the flat and ALL of the items included.

Again I would stop the viewing if it was too intrusive or the viewer started SHOUTING, all viewers need respect in other people's homes. If the viewing is stopped you wouldn't get a good look round. Perhaps the advice should be to at least ask first!

Sisyphus

If prospective viewers of a flat I was still living in were dispespectful I'd kick them out on the spot and the agent with them.

Personally I prefer to view a flat with the landlords present. That gives me a little time to make up my mind on what sort of landlord they are likely to be. They can judge me too. I prefer a landlord who actually gives a damn about who is renting from them. This all helps when it comes to negotiating the rent.

clutton_2

calm down everyone !!!!!!

Guy_Montag

Developing a relationship with a landlord is much easier than with whoever happens to be on the desk at the LA. I get on well with mine, if there's a problem they are quick to come round & fix it, they also occasionally pop round with a new piece of furniture for me, when I'm away on my next long trip, they're going to re-do the bathroom. In return I pay my rent on time, don't bother them with petty problems.

If I was viewing a occupied, I would ask the tenants if there were any problems, ideally out of earshot of whoever was showing me round. You'll almost certainly get an honest answer. Ask them why they are moving too.

Burglar alarm/fire alarm, well I would get a small battery one as a back-up anyway £5 isn't a lot to save your life. But it strikes me that the LL should maintain this - get in touch with your council, they'll tell you & also beat your landlord with a pointy stick if he's breaking the law.

rizla01

Second Viewing???

Ahhh, thats the difference between perspectives, I guess.

Where I live you will have about 15 Mins of the LL or the LA's time to decide before the next prospective is seen. Say yes and it's yours - think about it and it's gone. All except the grottiest flats are let within a week.

So a good point to consider here. Depends on the market where you are thinking about renting and whether you have the luxury of being able to pu$$yfoot around as seems to be obviously available in some of these posters areas.:rotfl: :rotfl:

Obviously it's a tougher market round here and you can't afford (and people don't expect you) to be prissy about the whole procedure.


(??Won't let me type p u s s y as in !!!!!foot)

ascollen

LL responsible for wired in systems (smoke detectors etc)
Tenant responsible for checking/replacing batteries in "standalone" smoke detectors.

My mate gets his tenants to sign a document that they understand it is their responsibility to check and replace smoke alarm batteries.