Checklist for renting a property.
September 29, 2014
When you decide to rent a property, a considerable amount of time and money is spent in selecting something that suits your respective needs and unique preferences. Moreover, the property that you rent could be your home, office, storage area or workshop for the foreseeable future.
Therefore, it always helps to ensure that you are as organized as possible so that you can not only save a great deal of time and money, but also get something that specifically caters to your needs and wants.
Whenever you rent a property, some emotional reactions and attachments are bound to crop up from time to time. Emotional attachments are fine as long as they don’t hinder your judgements and prevent you from selecting something that offers a perfect balance between what you need and what you desire.
Here is a check list of some of the questions that you should be asking yourself and a list of all the things that you should always be on the lookout for when it comes to a rental property.
Questions about the exterior condition of the property that need to be answered
- Does the property seem to be in a decent condition?
- Does the property have a garden?
- Who shall be in charge of maintaining the garden?
- Do you need a garden? Properties with gardens could be more expensive.
- How do you rate the security offered by the property?
- Does the property have any alarm and entry phone system?
- Does the property have secure locks and bolts?
- Is there any history of burglary or theft for the property?
- How secure are the external doors?
- Will you have proper access to public transportation systems?
- How do you rate the area?
- Do you see any potential threats/ nuisances to your peaceful occupation of the property?
Questions about the interior condition of the property that need to be answered
- Is the property in a decent condition?
- Did you find any traces of damp, infestations or flaking paint?
- Does the property have central heating systems?
- Are the radiators functioning properly?
- Did you find any broken or damaged furniture or appliances?
- Do you see any signs of loose wires or faulty plugs?
- Is the property insulated properly?
- Does it have double glazing?
- Will the property offer you with enough storage space for all your belongings?
- Does the kitchen offer a decent work area and adequate cupboards?
- Does the kitchen offer with any equipment and utensils? If yes, are they in a usable condition?
- Does the bedroom have curtains or blinds?
- Do you find the bathroom(s) shower(s) to be satisfactory?
- Will you be allowed to change/ alter the interiors or the decorations?
- Does the property offer WiFi or Broadband connectivity?
- Does the property have adequate electrical points?
- Some council’s such as Newham, London require landlords to have a landlord license. This license ensure landlords comply with guidelines and gives tenants better protection from rogue landlords.
Safety checks to be conducted
- Verify whether safety checks have been conducted for all appliances. Ask whether the proper papers are available for verification.
- Ensure that the windows on the ground floor have proper locks.
- Verify if there is a burglar alarm installed in the premises.
- Does the kitchen have a fire extinguisher and a safety blanket?
- Do the furnishings comply with the fire safety regulations?
- Does the property have carbon monoxide detectors?
- Does the property allow easy escape in case of a fire?
- Does the property have adequate smoke alarms?
- Is the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record available for verification?
Things to be considered from a financial point of view
- What is the rent that the landlord is asking for?
- Is the property worth the price?
- What bills are included in the rent and what expenses are you liable to pay for?
- What is the amount of security deposit?
- What are the terms for return and deductions from the security deposit?
- What are the approximate running costs that you would have to bear on a monthly basis?
- Can you afford the rent and the other costs associated with the property without altering your lifestyle drastically?
Things to remember
- Make sure that you get written permission from the landlord before conducting repairs in the premises.
- Perform a thorough check of the inventory before you move in.
- Contact previous tenants and enquire about their experiences in the property and with the landlord.
- Make sure that you have a signed copy of the tenancy agreement.
- Make sure that you understand all the terms and clauses mentioned in the agreement. Get legal help if you’re not sure.
- Verify the meter readings on the day you move in.
You May Also Enjoy
Home longevity spas tipped to become the next must-have in prime property
Longevity expert has noticed a huge influx in home spas from investors Country and Townhouse reported that wellness is expected in luxury homes Ralph Montague discusses core shifts he’s seen over the past two years Once, cinema rooms, wine cellars and home gyms were considered luxury home features. Now, the next major trend in prime…
Read More 
Nationwide House Price Index for April 2026 – Thoughts from the Industry
House prices increased by 0.4% between March 2026 and April 2026. This was a weaker rate of monthly growth compared to the previous month (0.9%). Annual growth sat at 3% in April 2026, with this annual rate of growth increasing from 2.2% versus March 2026. The average UK house price now stands at £278,889. …
Read More 
House price growth remained resilient in April
UK annual house price growth picked up to 3.0% in April, from 2.2% in March House prices were up 0.4% month on month Headlines Apr-26 Mar-26 Monthly Index* 554.8 552.7 Monthly Change* 0.4% 0.9% Annual Change 3.0% 2.2% Average Price (not seasonally adjusted) £278,880 £277,186 * Seasonally adjusted figure (note that monthly % changes are…
Read More 
Homeowners shift mortgage strategy amid economic uncertainty
Middle East conflict prompts Brits to rethink housing plans 27 per cent of homeowners report overpaying on their mortgage to get ahead of potential future interest rate rises 20 per cent of those remortgaging are looking to lock in a new rate as soon as possible in case of future volatility Barclays Mortgage data shows…
Read More 
Today is the day your rights change: New Renters’ Rights rules now in force for tenants across England
Today marks a major change for tenants across England as the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force, significantly strengthening rights and changing how renting works in practice. From today, the long-standing system of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions ends, meaning tenants can no longer be removed without a specific legal reason.…
Read More 
Mould Tops List of Bathroom Red Flags For Homebuyers
Mould, Space & Water Pressure: 3 Bathroom Deal-breakers Affecting House Sales This Spring Almost 9 in 10 (88%) Brits say at least one bathroom issue would put them off making an offer on a house. Mould (60%), lack of space (44%), and water pressure (37%) are the top three deal-breakers, with concern intensifying…
Read More