First time tennant

jollyanna

My student son is going to view a flat he's hoping to rent next Septmber. Apart from having a good look at the accomodation, what should he ask the agent ? His Dad is going along with him (cos he's driving). Can anyone suggest what to ask that could prove vital. The rent includes water rates but not gas and electricity. Am I looking for complications where none may exist?

prudryden

Will he be considered a tenant (on AST) or a lodger (on license)?

jollyanna

Fairly certain he'll be tennant. It's the first floor flat in a victorian terrace in an area of student lets. I haven't rented for many years and I've a feeling a tennants rights and responsibilities have changed over the last ten years.

Meatballs

Is he sharing?

How much is the rent monthly/weekly?

He wants to ask what the agents fees are going to be:

For Credit Checking etc/Guarantor.
Check in/Inventory
Check out.
Do they have any other (rip off) charges for anything else?

(It might be worth shopping around for a cheaper agent!)

Is he responsible for any garden/communal area?

Parking?

He will probably need a guarantor and that's probably going to be you or his dad.

He will want to ask how his deposit is being protected in the new Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Is he responsible for water/gas/electricity?

Ask to get a sample of the AST (tenancy agreement) to read over at home. Look out for clauses that say stuff like 'the tenant must clean the house to a professional standard'. These are vague (what is a professional standard of cleaning?) and unfair. They only have to leave the house in the same or better state than they get it in - apart from fair wear and tear you would expect from living somewhere.

The main thing I found with student letting agents is that they take the last persons deposit, but then dont do anything about the problems, and charge you for them when you leave. So it's important to be anal on the Inventory, and take some digital photos and keep them till you move out.

jollyanna

Thanks Meatballs, that is certainly giving me some things I need to do research on befor anything is signed. As time is getting short he may well say yes straight away which is why I need to be wary befor he's committed to an agreement.

tweetyshells

Some landlords make you get contents insurance wether you want it or not, might be worth asking.

muddled_midget

Also does he have to pay a half rent retainer for the summer months as this was common in Bath where I was at uni, even if he's renting from Sept, he might still be liable July and August next year, and will he be allowed to store things at the house during this time (we were always allowed to store any bulky items we'd brought in the house)

Also if he is sharing and the other party doesn't pay rent/bills will your son be held liable (joint tenancy agreement where you are all liable for the full amount of rent and if one party doesn't pay the rest of you have to and then pursue them through small claims court).

morg_monster

You might also want to post this on the students board for another perspective. Also does his uni's accomoodation service have any suggestions?