renting guide | your checklist

Print this out and take it with you when you go looking for rented accommodation.

 

Outside

As far as is possible, check the condition of the windows, brickwork, roof, door, downpipes and guttering.

Does the accommodation seem secure?

Look for potential nuisances - pubs, schools, noisy businesses - in the street.

Check the wider area for the amenities you want.

 

Going in

Is the garden or close tidy and well-maintained?

Who maintains them? Are there any extra costs?

When do the bin men come? Are there any other services, such window cleaners, and will this be an added cost?

 

All rooms

Are there any signs of damp, such as flaking paint or a musty smell?

Are there any signs of infestation, such as mouse droppings?

Are there any repairs needing done? It's a bad idea to move into a house which requires a lot of work.

Is there central heating, and do all the radiators work?

Is there double glazing and roof insulation? If not, expect higher bills.

 

Kitchen and bathroom

Do all the taps work and the toilet flush?

Does the shower work?

Do water heaters work?

Do the fridge and cooker work? Washing machines are harder to check without running them through a cycle, but you can look for evidence of recent use if the property hasn't lain empty for a while.

Check washing machines and dishwashers for leaks - feel around the pipes at the back and on the floor underneath, preferably while they're running.

Is the kitchen big enough for your needs? Does it have adequate preparation and storage areas?

 

Living room and bedrooms

Test power sockets and make sure plugs don't warm up in use.

All furniture and furnishings in rented property should now comply with the 1989 Fire and Furniture Regulations, and must be clearly labelled to that effect.

Make sure the bedrooms are adequately heated.

Are the beds and chairs comfortable and dry?

Is there adequate storage space?

 

Safety and security

Is there a burglar alarm?

Try to find out if the property has been broken into in the last year.

Is there a chain on the door and adequate locks? Is there controlled entry to the communal close?

Would it be easy to escape a fire?

Is there a smoke alarm, and a fire extinguisher or blanket in the kitchen?

Are there carbon monoxide detectors? Yellow or brown staining around or on appliances could indicate carbon monoxide.

Demand to see the Landlord's Gas Safety Record or CORGI safety certificate. You have a legal right to this.

Was the last CORGI check on gas appliances within the last 12 months? This is a legal requirement.