You have just paid your deposit and been handed the keys to your new rental property. You walk in the door and you see an empty hovel, saturated in mould and damp patches, with a failing boiler and an overgrown lawn.

From this point there is no one to pin the blame on, if you don’t ask the questions you can be sure you will not be told.

External Appearance and condition:
Through your rose tinted spectacles you see an immaculate Modern terrace or a quaint country cottage? You fail to notice however, the loose guttering and cracking windows.

You Think:
You are so in love with the exterior and how aesthetically pleasing the property looks you may fail to notice minor external issues that could later evolve in to serious problems.

Check:

• Does this property have any external issues?
• Clogged Guttering- This can often get overlooked but as soon as guttering becomes clogged it can cause major water damage to your home.
• Look out for soil marks splashed on the wall and obvious rotting.
  

  Bad clogged guttering

• Bad Roofing- On average, roof shingles should last between twenty and twenty five years.
• Look out for dark spots and signs of water damage.
• Cracked/ damaged windows.
• Also note any cosmetic problems, e.g. peeling paint.

Interior Appearance and Condition:
Spacious? Check. Nice décor? Check. Warm? Check.

You Think:
Each room is nicely decorated, spacious, warm and modern. But the properties visual appearance may be deceiving,

Check:

Is there central heating, storage heating, electric heating?

You need to weigh up the factors. Oil is slightly more energy efficient yet Gas is much cheaper.

Also bear in mind, if you are renting a property for a short period of time check with your landlord that you are not expected to fill the tank. If not, you could end up paying to heat the house when you have moved out.

Does the property have electric/gas key meters?

These require you to top up regularly, so if this I the case you need to be sure where your local ‘pay point’ shop is.

If you feel the house décor is shabby and badly maintained ask the landlord if he is willing to fix any of these issues prior to you moving in. It may be difficult to get him/her to agree to any work after you have signed the contract.

• If you wish to hang pictures or mirrors ensure the Landlord will allow this before making any holes in the walls

• Is there a valid gas safety certificate?

• Can the agent provide you with an EPC, (energy performance certificate?)

• Is their loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, etc? (This will affect your heating bills)

• Is there a sufficient number of working smoke alarms? (You should have a minimum of one on each floor) And be sure there is enough storage to cater to your requirements? Be Realistic.

Furnished/unfurnished: You walk in to what seems like a modern penthouse filled with luxury mod-cons. Leather chaise-lounges, fifty inch plasmas and four poster beds.

You Think:

Not only have you landed such an array of expensive goods but you now have to spend very little, if not nothing at all on kitting out your new pad.

Check:

• Is this property being let furnished?

There are three possible options:

Fully Furnished  
Part Furnished
Unfurnished

• Be sure to ask your letting agent to clearly stipulate what is being kept in the property before signing any agreements.

FACT!

• Some Landlords offer properties furnished or unfurnished, sometimes subject to extra cost.

Insurance : You now know whether your rental home is being let, furnished, part furnished or unfurnished.

You Think : As a tenant you will not need to purchase any general home insurance as this home is not technically your own.

Check:

• Has the Landlord currently got home contents insurance?
• What does this contents insurance actually cover?’
• Will I need separate insurance for my own goods?’
• Do not make any assumptions on what is and isn’t covered
• Ensure you know exactly what insurance you need to get to cover your personal items.

It is very unlikely that any landlord will have insurance that covers your laptops, plasma screens and generally expensive personal goods.

Does this property actually fit your criteria? :

You think: Yes, It‘s spacious, modern and has built in wardrobes.

But You’re a heavy smoker with three dogs who needs two parking spaces.

Check:

• Does the Landlord accept pets/smokers?
• Does the property have a garage/parking space?
• Does this property accept tenants that are in receipt of Housing benefit/job seekers allowance?

It is best to stipulate your situation and make sure the property fits any specific requirements that you may have before viewing it.

The Local Area:

You Think: It looks like a desirable area, there’s a Tesco across the road and the local train station is only a ten minute walk.

Check:   

• Where is the local garage/Supermarket/ Train station/School?  
• Does this area have high crime rate?
• Does the area have any busy roads/ night clubs/ bars? 

Make sure you explore the area before committing to anything, that ten minute walk to the train station could be a lot longer than you thought.

Things to consider:

Commuting costs, opening hours of local amenities, neighbours and the local community, suitability, (if you have small children is this a safe/comfortable environment?)

Land/Garden maintenance: For many people a garden is an important aspect to their new rental home but you need to be sure who is responsible for maintaining that land.  

You Think:

That having a nice garden to enjoy in the summer is great and that the landlord will be responsible for mowing the lawn, weeding etc.

Check:

• Is the landlord responsible for any garden maintenance?
• If this is not the case you should consider whether maintaining the garden/land is viable.
• Are you in a position where you can afford mowers/trimmers/ gardening tools etc.
• Also, are you in a position where you have the time for this kind of upkeep, or even whether or not you want to make the effort to do these kinds of jobs?