It’s not just the Scouts who recommend that you be prepared – letting agents also want you to turn up to viewings armed with the questions you need to work out if a property’s right for you.
If you’re about to view a rental property in Cheltenham, here’s what you need to ask the agent or landlord.
Which bills do I have to pay?
You won’t just be paying the rent at your new property, you’ll also be paying some or all of the bills and this will make a big difference to your monthly spending.
The obvious bills are your gas, electricity and water. Some landlords factor these expenditures into your monthly rent and some will expect you to pay them separately. Then there’s other expenses such as council tax and broadband, as well as service charges, contents insurance and ground rent, so ask about these so you can factor them into your budget.
Can I switch utility providers?
You do have the right to switch to another utility supplier as a tenant, but some landlords or letting agencies have bulk deals with a particular provider, so find this out at your viewing. It’s not necessarily bad news if your landlord has a tie-in deal, as it may mean lower prices, but do make the effort to work this out.
Are there carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms?
Ask your letting agent if these devices (one smoke alarm per floor) are installed in the property and also make sure there’s an up-to-date gas safety certificate. There should be a gas safety check once a year and if your potential property has a fuel-burning appliance, there should be a carbon monoxide detector.
Who’s my main contact person?
Even with the best property and the best tenancy in history, there eventually will be something you need to sort out. It might be a leak or you might have locked yourself out, but you’ll need to call someone to help. You need to find out early on who this is – is it the property manager or your landlord?
Can I redecorate the property?
Some landlords don’t mind some redecoration as long as the property can be returned back to its original state when you leave and others don’t want you to do anything.
Make sure to find this out before you sign anything as that feature wall you can’t stand might not be negotiable…
What does unfurnished or part furnished mean?
What furniture will be in the property when you move in and what do you need to bring with you? What white goods are installed? Is it ok to “reject” the existing furniture and bring in your own even though the place is furnished?
How old is the boiler and when was its last service?
It’s important to be sure that your boiler is in good condition and that it’s not going to pack in at the first sign of frost. Your landlord or letting agent should be able to tell you what you need to know.
What’s the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
Rental properties in the UK must have a minimum EPC of E and the closer the EPC rating is to A, the cheaper the place will be to run (and heat).
How much gardening do I have to do?
Most rentals will need you to do some basic maintenance – mowing, weeding and so on – but bigger jobs like maintaining trees and fences is down to your landlord.
How far is it to…?
The chances are that you’ve already found out how long it’ll take you to walk to the shops, but if there’s anything else you’ve forgotten, ask the agent or landlord during the viewing.
Where do I park?
Parking is always going to be important – it could even be a dealbreaker if there’s not enough space for two cars or if you’re not guaranteed an off-road or on-road spot. You should also find out if you need a permit or if your visitors need one to park on your street.
