What to Ask / Look for When Viewing a Property
- Make an arrangement to view the property and maybe take a friend with you. Have a list of questions ready.
- Look for how the property is presented dιcor / flooring / is it furnished? / are there any appliances cooker/fridge etc- already there. Do they work?
- Are doors fitted with suitable locks. Are windows lockable?
- Is there some form of whole-house heating at the property - eg gas central heating / electric storage heaters?
- Is there gas / electricity at the property and who are the suppliers? Is it a quarterly bill / prepayment meter etc
- Has the property had a Fire Safety check done recently and are all fire alarms working?
- Has the Landlord got a current Gas Certificate if there is gas on the premises
- Is there a telephone point?
- Who pays for water some Landlords include that in the rent.
- Who pays the Council Tax/ If it is a shared house the Landlord will probably pay it if not you are responsible.
- How much money does the Landlord want up-front? Will he/she accept DSS and / , of necessary the Rent Deposit Scheme for the deposit?
- Which Government Rent Deposit Scheme does the Landlord use if you are giving a cash deposit?
- How is the rent payed collected? Direct Debit?
- Will there be a rent book or some form of receipt for monies you hand over?
Useful website www.eastmidlandsdash.org.uk- downloads useful advice on Health and Safety when viewing a property.