Looking for your first house can be very confusing.
Here are some questions that you probably won’t have had to ask before, but it’s very important you get the answers so you don’t get any nasty surprises!
Has the owner/ agent shown you a copy of a current gas and electrical safety certificate?
The gas safety certificate is a legal requirement
Are all the furniture and furnishing labelled as fire resistant?
Is there enough furniture?
Is it in a fair condition? For example, are there enough easy chairs/ sofa spaces for all the tenants in the sitting room?
Is there a vacuum cleaner?
Is there an inventory to check?
Is the kitchen adequate?
Is it big enough for all of you? Is there enough storage, a big enough preparation area, fridge space?
What kind of heating system is there?
Are the windows in good condition?
Do they all open? Are any panes cracked or broken? Are the frames in good condition?
Is there damp in the property?
Does it smell damp or musty? If a property seems damp in the summer or spring it will be much worse in the winter.
You will be responsible to make sure the property is well ventilated when you move in.
Do the rooms need decorating?
If so who will do it and who is going to pay?
Ask the owner/ agent to put in writing any promises s/he may make about repairs and redecoration.
Is the property secure?
Are there adequate locks on the front and back doors? Student housing may be targeted during vacations – remove the ‘use back door only’ sign.
Is the rent and deposit secured?
Check what the rent includes eg. water rates. A reasonable deposit will be about the equivalent of a month rent. Check the terms for the deposit return. Pay nothing until you are about to sign the contract.
Fire safety How do you get out in an emergency?
Make sure there is a smoke detector.
Is the garden / yard tidy, who is responsible for the upkeep?
Who is responsible for the garden/ yard?
Are there tools provided?
Does the back gate close?
How long is the contract?
What dates does the contract start and finish? Most contracts start on 1st July and end on the 30th June to coincide with the academic year.
Do you pay a half rent summer retainer?
Normally student houses pay half rent during the July and August.
Generally full rent starts on the 1st September to be discussed with agent/ landlord.
Who do you contact if anything goes wrong in the property?
Ask the agent/ landlord for contact details.
Evidence when you move in
Take dated photographs when you move into a property in case of deposit issues later on.
Who pays?
Do you have to set up your own utility bills?
If, having checked all this you are absolutely sure you like the house you’re ready to proceed.
If not, look for somewhere else.
If you agree to take on the house, the owner/ agent will probably want you to sign an agreement and pay money straight away. Look over the contract.
Do you understand and agree to all the terms and conditions in it? Any reasonable owner/ agent will allow you 24 hours to consider a contract. Take advice if you are not sure.
Make sure you get a copy of the signed contract and remember – the owner/ agent is legally obliged to provide you with his/ her name and address.
