Going to view a rented property. What should I be asking?

mrkenneth

Me and my partner anre going to look at a flat tommorow with the intention of renting it. What should we be asking the landlord so we dont look like complete novices. Are there are any legislations in place with regards to our deposit?

Guy_Montag

Check that they have a gas safety cert, flush the toilet, run the taps, look in the cupboard under the sink. Try the lights too, see what pressure comes out of the shower. Have a good look at your prospective neighbours.

If there are currently tenants ask them if there's any problems (try to get them away from the LL/LA).

Ask which scheme your deposit will be protected by.

Haggle over rent a bit.

airforce_beret

as a precaution I believe that the fire alarm should be wired in, not on battery. to cover his insurance if there was a fire. bit boring but there a quite a few legislations that govern landlords. i'd say the gas safety mentioned by montag is a big one too.

ask what his rent charge actually includes...you don't want any unexpected bills once you come to move in.

Sisyphus

How available is the landlord to sort out problems such as broken boilers, defective appliances etc? If it's an agent, do they have full authority from the landlord to deal with the problem themselves? If it's an agent do they hold the deposit or is it the landlord? Who do you contact if there is a problem outside the agent's opeing hours?
Does the landlord own just the flat or the whole building? Who's in charge of cleaning and maintenance of commmunal parts of the building? Who deals with problems there?

Guy_Montag

I just read your other thread - personally I've only rented through an agency once, & that was dreadful so go through private landlords all the time now. gives you a chance to build up a rapport & they are generally more keen to get things fixed.

Good luck, & don't feel you have to take it if you're unsure. If you're not sure, go off to the local pub with your girlie & chat about it over a campari & soda (or whatever your poison is), it may be a good price, but if it's lousy or the LL is dodgy, you'll find somewhere else.