Moving house soon? If you’re looking for a bigger place, possibly downsizing, moving out for the first time, or your current tenant agreement isn’t being renewed then chances are you’re going to be making a lot of phone calls to estate agents, landlords and all your utility providers.
Finding your perfect home can be difficult, but when you’re renting it can be difficult to see the bigger picture until after you’ve signed the agreements, handed over a huge amount of money, moved in and then notice the damp patch appearing behind the wardrobe.
So, what is it that you need to keep an eye out for when you’re searching for your new rental property. Sure the house might have a beautiful kitchen and a gorgeous garden filled with trees from The Tree Centre, but what else should you be looking out for?
Well, don’t worry. Here you’ll find some helpful tips and general advice of what you need to check when you’re renting.
Before/When you get there
Like with anything, it pays to do a little research before you go to the effort of doing something. So before you go and visit what appears to be your perfect place, consider the properties location.
Are there plenty of amenities, and transport links. If your car broke down, could you get the bus for example. Are there any potential noise issues, such as a pub or club nearby, a busy main road or a building site?
If you drive, check out the parking situation. There might be a drive, but can you get your car down it and if you have children – are you able to open the doors to get them out?
If it’s first come first served street parking then you might be kicking yourself when your neighbour parks outside your front door and you have to park on the next street.
The exterior
Look out for burglar or intruder alarms and see what condition they’re in. Is the garden gate secure and are the locks and windows modern or at least have locks in good condition. Is there any obvious exterior damage like a crack in the brickwork.
The interior
Damp is a major problem in rented accommodation. Look for signs of it around window frames, in corners and even behind strategically placed pictures. Look for condensation and wet around the window sills.
Do all the radiators work properly, and does the heating adequately heat the property.
Ask to run the shower or the bath and check the hot water and the water pressure. If it takes minutes to run a bath half full then there’s something wrong. Also give the toilet a flush!
Are there enough kitchen cupboards, space for your washing machine/dishwasher/fridge and freezer.
Keep an eye out for dodge wiring and exposed electrical wires. And make a note of the TV and telephone points in each room. Homes rely heavily on the internet so make a point of double checking the broadband speed for the area online!
Good luck on your hunt for a new home!