Things to check when viewing rental properties

nnb

I know it sounds like a stupid thing to ask but I've only ever had two properties entirely to myself and the second place (where I'm now in) has been a nightmare from day 1! I am now looking for my next place to rent. So..............

What things are reasonable to check when I have my viewing tomorrow? I would want to check tomorrow as the place looks amazing from the advert and I am considering putting down a deposit afterwards if it lives up to expectations. But I don't want to get caught out again or lose any holding deposit, but I also don't want to miss out on a potentially fab property!

I have a list already started but I would appreciate input - however obvious you may think it is like basic checking water pressure - from people with a bit more experience in this!

Thanks in advance!

00ec25

rather than expect us to reinvent the wheel, why not post up your list then we can add to it without repeating

what lessons have you learned from your experience to date?

parking_question_chap

I would say the biggest things are neighbours. Take a look around the street, see what the people are like. Even knock next door and say you are considering renting it and make up a couple of questions to ask, just to see what they are like.

Try and meet the previous tennant and ask what the landlord is like. Do they fix things when needed?

theartfullodger

Spend £3 with land registry & get name of owner & his address. See if that's who says he is landlord...

nnb

parking_question_chap wrote: »

I would say the biggest things are neighbours. Take a look around the street, see what the people are like. Even knock next door and say you are considering renting it and make up a couple of questions to ask, just to see what they are like.

God neighbours, don't start me - I've already been to the street (it's 5 mins away) to see what the it is like. Also going again in a bit for an evening feel to it.

What kind of questions would be ok to ask neighbours without looking like a weirdo? I'd never thought of doing that. I'm not sure how I'd react if someone knocked at my door asking about living next door, although I am sure I'd be happy to answer anything.

nnb

theartfullodger wrote: »

Spend £3 with land registry & get name of owner & his address. See if that's who says he is landlord...

It's actually rented through an agency. I have thoroughly researched them today. They have a few bad reviews (who doesn't) but they're from 2015 and anything from 2017 is all 4* or 5*.

Marvel1

If the place is a mess or they say they will fix /clean something before or soon after you move in, it won't be done look elsewhere.

nnb

cjdavies wrote: »

If the place is a mess or they say they will fix /clean something before or soon after you move in, it won't be done look elsewhere.

That's a good one I didn't think of - thank you!

kimplus8

Check for signs of mould and shoddy workmanship, there were some warning signs in a place I rented and it was like the house that jack built.
ASK if gas safety etc has been done, I moved into this property and it hadn't been done, when it was done the gas engineer had to condemn the fire and cap it off and order some work on the heating system/water as that failed too.
Ask agency about landlords long term plans as the last house I moved into I was given notice after 6 months as landlord wanted house back- was super stressful.
The only other advice I can give you is to do a thorough check of the inventory and not EVERY single defect on in, every nail in the wallpaper/chip to the paintwork.
good luck finding your new home

nnb

kimplus8 wrote: »

Check for signs of mould and shoddy workmanship, there were some warning signs in a place I rented and it was like the house that jack built.
ASK if gas safety etc has been done, I moved into this property and it hadn't been done, when it was done the gas engineer had to condemn the fire and cap it off and order some work on the heating system/water as that failed too.
Ask agency about landlords long term plans as the last house I moved into I was given notice after 6 months as landlord wanted house back- was super stressful.
The only other advice I can give you is to do a thorough check of the inventory and not EVERY single defect on in, every nail in the wallpaper/chip to the paintwork.
good luck finding your new home

Seriously helpful - thank you!

Hadn't thought about asking about long term plans, although I guess they could still lie

Also hadn't thought to ask about gas safety, I've actually never done that! Or fire safety. And looking around I have just realised my current flat doesn't have a single smoke alarm in it. Which is great seeing as there are various students "smoking" at all hours..................... That is seriously worrying!!!!!!!!

Shoddy workmanship was on my list though.

You sound like you've had as rough of a time as I have.

Cakeguts

Make sure the agent is a member of the professional associations.