A Tenant's guide to renting

MissMoneypenny

Sorry, just noticed you had already put about electrical sockets.

I have emailed both mods of this board and asked them to put this as a sticky as it is a really useful guide, but they haven't done it

olly300

Moving in-
- Ask to see the gas safety certificate
- Ask the LL/LA for the manuals for applicances and heating plus how to turn the heating and hot water on at the start of your tenancy and make sure you get them. When you get them keep them neatly in one place.

There have been a few posts here over the years about tenants being accused of breaking applicances or the heating as they don't know how to turn it on, and been given a large repair bill.

During the tenancy to avoid tenancy deposit disputes later-
1. If you break anything in the property or something is broken by someone else i.e. a repairman then you need to notify the LL/LA immediately by telephone (if it's during reasonable hours) and follow it up in writing asap- an email with photo attached will do. Try and sort out the repair during your tenancy but if you can't due to having written proof that you contacted the LL/LA then if you didn't cause the breakage the LL/LA even if they are crooked is unlikely to charge you for it.

2. Particularly if you rent through a LA, if you agree a change to the tenancy agreement like having pets, you want to put up pictures or paint a room make sure you have some record of this in writing. Again an email will do.

JoeA81

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Sorry, just noticed you had already put about electrical sockets.

No, I put that in becuase of your suggestion! I just didnt bump the thread immidiately. Thanks

Updated again. This is all good stuff.

PayDay

Ask the previous tenants if the landlord is a good or bad landlord and how quick they are to do their repairs. If they are hesitant to say, then ask the neighbours.

If the property is an empty let, then ask the neighbours what the previous tenants said about the landlord.

clutton_2

ask the landlord if s/he has her/his Lender's permission to let.

ask the LA/LL if the property is insured for tenants

MissMoneypenny

It's good to have a LLs input. Thanks clutton.

clutton_2

also

how long have they been a LL
how many properties have they got
are they a member of a professional landlords body such as National Landlords Association
Are they accredited with the local council private sector housing department
will they accept a local authority bond if necessary

MissMoneypenny

bump - the mods still haven't made this a sticky.

paintpot

Great post.

I would also suggest advising tenants to pay great attention to the structure of the property rather than just the aesthetics like the colour of the walls and carpets. I have read many posts where tenants have rented a property only to find that it has a leaking roof, rotten windows, draughts, damp etc. This will become less important after October if the proposed Energy Performance Certificates come into force for new tenancies but things like structural problems, lack of double glazing etc can also impact on the cost of utilities. (Some) landlords will cover up damp issues with a lick of paint for example so looking inside cupboards/built in wardrobes can often reveal tell tale signs that might not have been painted over. Also opening kitchen cupboards, opening windows, looking at the boiler to determine it's age and whether it looks like it is on it's last legs (not always easy to tell from that granted) etc will show the general state of repair.

I'm a landlord!

HTH

MissMoneypenny

clutton wrote: »

ask the landlord if s/he has her/his Lender's permission to let.

I think I would make that - ask for proof that the LL has permission to rent and take a copy of it. A good letting agent should already have this proof to show you.