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Renting Property
The prices for houses in the UK have touched the roof which has led to an extraordinary demand for rental property, consequently in the urgency to find a place; it is difficult to make proper choices keeping in mind the points to remember before you see the property.
Viewing a rental property requires careful and watchful survey. Nearly every one of us can deal with making choices about just the visual appearance but clearly there are more issues to take care of than aesthetic preferences. You need to look into important concerns like the obvious aspects such as security standards and safety issues.
Here is a check list and guide with points to remember and take notice of when you view a property for rent.
1. prior to inspecting property
It is always better to involve family or friends in property viewing even though you might be looking for a renting it out just for you. This will prove not just safer however it means a valuable second opinion, and an honest opinion on any faults you may not have become aware of. As an additional preventative measure, mainly if you're renting from a private landlord rather than a letting agency, let a third party know the location, time and a phone call to confirm your safe retreat back home.
2. The Viewing Procedure- Take Your Time
Never allow any person try to do a quick visit through a viewing. In the present elevated stipulation rental market, take complete chance to review the place. Keep in mind to not be in a hurry and skip some important questions that might be crucial.
It's never a waste to be a bit geared up as likely previous to you view a property. Pen down a check list to take alongside as it might set aside your prerequisites and constraint at the time you will look at your property.
Bear in mind that while you examine a rental property, you're in general in accord with the "as seen" pointer which means that the landlord or letting agent is under no compulsion to modify no matter what once the lease is signed. It is better to be careful if you're uncertain on the subject of the green tiles on the walls, for the time of an initial viewing. Decide with a lot of thought if you could survive without clean and neat walls for a long period of time.
3. The Neighbourhood Area
General feel: Make an effort and reach early in time, which will give you an idea about up slightly early to allow yourself a look around and feel for the neighbourhood, and of the peripheral of the land and property itself.
Is it a safe Asylum? Is the general area in good surroundings? Consider yourself safe at night hours. It should give the impression of a well-populated and safe environment instead of feeling isolated and at risk.
General facilities: Look around for medical facility, general stores or shopping malls. Are you well located for bus stop, cash-point, garage, park etc? Your daily requirements like grocery, gas, or even recreation hub should be looked at. If you own a vehicle and want parking area or have you factored the travel cost into your monthly outgoings? Go ahead and ask all the details before deciding on the final choice of home.
4. Peripheral Affairs regarding property
Doors and Interior: Check the door knobs and locking systems for your safe stay. The interiors should be without paint peeling with pending repair work. The outside of the door and windows for an overall impression of building maintenance should be good and satisfactory.
Drain: The state of drainpipes and sewage disposal needs to be in fine and prim condition.
The Roof over Your Head: Make sure you check the state of guttering and roofing. Are the gutters firmly attached? Can you spot any loose slates on the covering roof?
Availability of a Garden: If you are facilitated with a garden. Check if the condition garden tidy and well-kept. It's good if it is in proper state. Ask questions about the responsibility in future. Your need to know if it's you responsible are you competent of doing it? If it's not you, is the cost included in your rent or will you be expected to pay extra to keep it up?
Garbage disposal: Look around and find out if there proper bins or is the entrance strewn with rubbish bags?
The houses in close proximity are renovated ? Steer clear of moving next door to anywhere that's covered in graffiti or has boarded-up windows.
5. Interior Matter: The Property's Overall Condition
Damp walls: Check for signs of dampness in all the rooms. The distinctive signs are a musty smell, loose wallpaper, flaking paint and mould spots.
Rat Trouble : Look for any indications of infestation such as mice droppings, traps or poison baits. Ensure you do not forget to check for this in ground floor cupboards.
Heating system: Check the state of central heating and also if the radiators were in working condition. If the property does not come with central heating is there an alternative source such as storage heaters/electric heating? Put up with this which might be more expensive than gas central heating.
Is double glazing available? If you don't find it , this may cause higher heating bills, and will also be a noise factor if the property is on a busy road. In the same way, enquire about roof insulation and without it, your heating bills will be higher than usual.
General Décor: The general decorations like paint, wallpaper, carpets, and floorboards should be in a sound enough state for you to live. If you don't find it to your state, can you go ahead and change or carry out any decoration.
Storage capacity: Can you fit in your luggage in the area; is there sufficient storage space in the property? Look at the kitchen storage and see if your have enough surface & storage space for your needs. Do you find space with your furniture in the area provided? You need to look at your comfort value.
6. Fire Escape:
Smoke Alarms: Do you see any smoke alarms in the house? Check with the landlord about the servicing of the fitting. Ensure it is in proper working order and keep chores like the batteries should be charged in mind when your move in.
Check Escape Routes: You need to have adequate escape routes if there is a fire an emergency. Are you confident that you could escape out from all floors of the home in case of a fire?
7. Security of the house:
Does the building give the impression of being secure from the outside? Find out was to rescue yourself thinking how you'd get in if you'd left your keys inside - if it's easy for you, it's easy for a burglar.
Some Pointers:
Does the property come with a burglar alarm? If it does not, are there any objections to you installing one?
Main Entrance: The front door requires being sturdy and having multiple locking facilities like a door-chain. Would you feel secure once you'd locked it for the night? Enquire about any incidence of theft or attempted break-ins.
Secure Windows? Do the windows have locks, particularly on the ground floor? Are they secure and tight? Can you feel a breeze through them?
Outside Lighting: Is there adequate outside lighting? Would you feel secure getting from the front path to the inside of your home?
8. Electric Stocks-Wirings:
Look around for any loose hanging wire and get it to the best condition. Is the wiring in good condition? Look out for any fraying or if it looks particularly old. Are there enough plug sockets for your needs or would you be running the risk of overloading the existing sockets?
Light switches: Switch on all overhead lighting to check that it works. Check that the plugs don't overheat when switched on or don't have yellowy stains.
Condition of Appliances If appliances such as a fridge freezer or oven are included, check that they work.
9. Gas and Electricity:
Properly Checked? By law, all landlords have to carry out annual gas safety inspections with a CORGI registered engineer and provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate.
Gas Attack? Gas appliances can carry the risk of carbon monoxide - test for this by ensuring that flames burn yellow or orange rather than blue, and look out yellow or brown stains on or around appliances. Some landlords provide carbon monoxide detectors but this isn't (yet) a legal requirement.
10 Bathroom Issues:
Running Water Run all the taps in the kitchen, flush the toilet, and turn on the shower to check the water pressure is in good working order - you want a strong, steady flow of water - and check that there is hot water from the hot tap.
Make sure the toilet doesn't leak, and the bath and wash basins aren't cracked. Check for clean and undamaged sealant around the bath or shower. Is there a window or de-humidifier in the bathroom? If not, ventilation and damp may be an issue.
11. Furnished Premises:
Make a list of what's included if you are renting a furnished property, check precisely what items of furniture will be included. Get signature on one copy for keeps sake.
Condition in general: Make sure you try out the bed, the sofa, the chairs, and check any other substantial pieces that come with the flat - if anything is broken, wobbly, or stained, either ask for a replacement or have the level of the damage written into your inventory, or you could find yourself paying for someone else's carelessness.
Is the furniture fire retardant? This is a legal requirement of the Fire and Furniture Regulations 1988 and furnishings should be clearly labelled to show that they meet standards.
Some furnished flats make available crockery, cutlery, saucepans etc - again, make sure that this is in a good enough condition for you to use, and before you sign a register, guarantee that the correct number of items are listed.
12. Creating a sanctuary
If you have some requirements or concerns clear your doubts especially regarding your own stuff. Can you put up your own pictures or bring in furniture of your own? Are you allowed pets? Are you allowed to change any of the décor? Within reason i.e. no zebra-striped walls , for example, many landlords are happy for a tenant to do this as it can increase their chances of re-letting afterwards but you will need to seek permission first. It may also be worth clarifying if there are any other no-nos that you should be aware of before making your decision - it'd be annoying to discover too late that your particular landlord had a ban on barbeques or an aversion to garden furniture
Some quotes from agents
"It's important to be clear about exactly what is important to you, and to be sure your requirements are realistic.
"Figures taken from a recent survey of our tenants show that almost half (46 per cent) viewed no more than three properties before choosing the one they currently live in, with a significant number (12 per cent) choosing the first property they saw without viewing any others.
"These people were all clear about their priorities - be they location, parking, size of rooms or quality of fixtures and fittings.
"However, viewing figures tended to be higher, for example ten viewings or more, when people were looking for an unrealistic combination of features, such as properties with high quality fixtures and fittings in good locations but for low rents." House for rent, haart
And Andrew Berry, managing director of haart residential lettings, agrees that preparation is the key to finding the right rental home: "Potential tenants looking for properties to rent should go armed with a mental check list of things to look out for and questions to ask.
"Typical things to look out for during a viewing include whether the front door has a fob and a latch lock, how secure the windows are, visible or covered over patches of damp, and the state of repair of the kitchen and bathroom.
"As with buyers looking to purchase a home, we would recommend that the tenants visit the property more than once and at different times of the day to check that they are happy with the area."
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