What You Need to Bear in Mind at Rental Property Viewings | Downloadable Checklist
By Luke Ellis.
Last Updated 31 Mar 2022
- minute read
When hunting for a new home, attending property viewings can be one of the most exciting parts of the entire rental process. What you don’t want to do at a rental property viewing is just head from room to room, without really knowing what to look for. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the most important things to bear in mind at a rental property viewing.
Our guide covers what you should be looking for outside of the property, inside by individual room, the surrounding area, and other aspects of a property that are worth considering.
When you arrive at a rental property viewing, the first thing you’ll want to do is have a look at the property from the outside, as well as the garden, outbuildings and surrounding homes. The following points are all worth considering on the day of your rental property viewing:
Is the outside of the property in good condition? It’s worth looking for any obvious structural issues that could cause problems in the future. Other things to keep an eye out for are peeling paintwork, cracked glass and rotten windowsills. If the house’s exterior is in poor condition, then it’s safe to assume the landlord has a ‘profit-comes-first’ mentality.
Is there a garden and what does it look like? Just like the house’s exterior, you should look at how well kept the garden is. You’ll also want to know if keeping the garden tidy is your responsibility or that of a gardener who the landlord/agency pays.
Do other nearby properties seem to be in a good condition? This isn’t as important, but you don’t want to live in an area surrounded by worn-down homes.
Is the property secure and do the locks work well? Home security is near the top of many people’s lists when checking out a rental property, so this is really important to consider.
What outbuildings are there and what state are they in? Many rental properties include garages, sheds and similar outbuildings. We’d recommend taking a quick look to make sure they aren’t completely run down.
What’s the parking situation? Parking available to you could be anything from a private driveway to permit-holder-only parking on a road. If this is the case, then you’ll need to get a parking permit. Depending on the area you’re looking at, these can be quite expensive.
Are there any other obvious red flags? Red flags that the landlord/letting agent may want to divert your attention away from could include noisy neighbours, constant traffic, a nearby nightclub, or being in a low-lying area that’s prone to flash floods.
Inside the Property
When it comes to the inside of the property, there’s plenty to look at and consider. Be sure to take the viewing at your own pace, be thorough and know what you’re looking for.
The kitchen
What kitchen appliances are there and do they work? Check if there’s a dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Smaller appliances to look out for include a microwave, toaster and kettle. Have a quick look at each to see what condition they’re in. If they’re a little rundown, then are they likely to be replaced?
Will there be enough work surfaces and kitchen cupboards? If you’re moving into a house share, then work surfaces need to be big enough that multiple people can prepare food at the same time. Similarly, there should be enough cupboard space for every tenant to have at least one upper and lower cupboard to themselves.
How big are the fridge and freezer? They’ll need to be big enough to comfortably house the food/drink of yourself and all your housemates.
Is the kitchen/dining room furnished? If you’re moving into a shared house/apartment, then a dining table and set of chairs will go a long way to creating a more sociable environment for you and your housemates.
Does the kitchen contain a fire blanket and extinguisher? If the rental property you’re looking at is a HMO, meaning multiple tenants live there who aren’t members of the same family, then these are required by law.
The bathroom(s)
Is there a window? Having a bathroom window means it can be opened to let steam escape. If this isn’t the case, then you could be at risk of mould/damp, as moisture will have nowhere to go.
Is there a ventilation fan? Having a ventilation fan is a great way to stop dampness/mould. These fans remove moisture from the bathroom, eliminating any odours in the process.
Are the sealants around the bath and shower in good condition? If the answer to this is no, then they’d need repairing/replacing before you move in. Otherwise, the risk of leakage is much higher.
Is the water pressure good? Not only do you want hot water, but also good water pressure from the taps and shower. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to stay clean with a dribble of water.
The bedroom(s)
Are the bedrooms furnished? Are the bedrooms completely bare, or do they have storage space for hanging clothes, such as a cupboard or built-in wardrobe?
Are the mattresses in good condition? This is an important one to remember as it won’t be immediately obvious just from looking. If a mattress is several years old and incredibly uncomfortable, then this will probably need replacing.
Do the bedrooms have curtains? The last thing you want is to be woken up by a blindingly bright sun in the early hours, so curtains to block out light are important. This is especially true if the room in question is south-facing, as this means it’ll receive far more sunlight.
The rest of the house
Is the property well maintained? This is a quite broad consideration, but one of the most important. A well-kept home will have a pristine look and fresh smell, whereas the opposite will feel damp and rundown. Saving a little money to stay in a place like this just isn’t worth it. Especially considering how your health could be poorly affected. Other things to look out for include peeling wallpaper, black spores on walls/ceilings, a musty smell and a build-up of condensation on the windows.
Is the property insulated? What type of insulation does the property have and is there double glazing? Top-quality insulation will help keep your energy bill down.
Is there central heating and do the boiler/radiators work properly? When winter closes in, you don’t want to be stuck in a house that can barely keep you warm, so check if the radiators and boiler work as they should.
What’s the phone signal like? Try every room to see if the property contains any phone signal dead zones.
Do the downstairs windows have locks? From a security point of view, downstairs windows are one of the most common places for people to break in, so being able to lock these at night (or when the house is empty) is vital.
Can you see any loose plugs or dodgy wiring? Landlords are legally required to issue tenants with an electrical safety certificate. If you’re unsure, then this is something you can ask to see. Safety checks should also be carried out every five years by a qualified electrician.
Are there any other obvious repairs that would need carrying out? Any required repairs should be sorted before your move-in date. Get the landlord/agency to put any scheduled repair work in writing.
In the event of a fire, is there an easy way to escape?
The Local Area
A property viewing shouldn’t just be about the property itself. After all, you’ll be living in the local area as much as the house you’re looking at, so it makes sense to have a wander and get familiar with your surroundings.
Along with your general impression of the area and how much you do/don’t like it, some of the other things to consider are:
How close is the property to amenities such as shops, restaurants and pubs?
Is the property within walking distance of public transport (or within a short driving distance if you have a car)?
What transport links are there?
How noisy is the area? Is the rental property situated on or near a busy road, and are there any nearby pubs/clubs that could cause disturbances?
What’s the area itself like? Does it feel like a neighbourhood where you’d feel safe walking around alone and in the dark?
Other Things Worth Considering
Get to grips with the financials. You’ll want to know how much monthly rent is, how much the deposit will be, whether one or two months’ rent needs to be paid upfront, and whether or not the property is bills included. Because there are numerous monthly payments to be made in a rental property – including utilities, Wi-Fi, TV licence and council tax – using a bill splitting service can make life far easier.
Are you allowed to redecorate? More and more landlords are beginning to say yes to this question, but you should still check beforehand, or you’ll run the risk of completely losing your deposit.
Are the certificates and appliances in order? If you haven’t already been shown a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate – which shows that gas appliances have been correctly installed and maintained – then ask to see it. Along with this, check that there’s a working smoke alarm on each floor, as well as a carbon monoxide detector in any rooms with wood-burning stoves or a coal fire. The property should also have an Energy Performance Certificate – landlords are required to order these for potential tenants. An EPC indicates a property’s energy usage and what you can expect to pay on energy bills.
Ask the Right Questions
A sure-fire way of going to a rental property viewing and knowing you’ll leave with all the necessary information is by being armed with a list of the best and most relevant rental property viewing questions to ask. Our guide breaks these questions down into a handful of easy-to-digest categories; these being financial, maintenance and household safety, home amenities, parking, travel and local services.
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