The Most Important Questions to Ask when Renting a Property

Are you thinking of renting a house or flat? Before signing the lease, be sure that you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into by asking these important questions.

Location, Location, Location

Where the property is situated is an extremely important factor to consider when deciding to rent a house or flat.Depending on whether you’re a family with young children or an outgoing professional, finding an area that suits your lifestyle is a must.These are just a few of the questions you should be asking when considering an area.

-Is it near public transport?

-Is it close to a supermarket?

-Is it within walking distance of bars or restaurants?

-Is there a playground nearby?

-Which schools’ catchment areas does it fall into?

-How long would it take to get to work? 

The Finances

Understanding the whole picture when it comes to the costs involved in your rental is vital to creating a budget that works for you. When looking at properties, be sure to ask your lettings agent the following:

-How much is the rent?

-How much is the security deposit?

-Is there an application fee?

-Do you need to provide the first month's rent? How about the last month's rent?

-How long is the lease?

-Is there a fee for ending your lease early?

-Are utilities included?

-If not, ask yourself - how much will utilities cost you on average per month?

-How often is the rent set to increase?

-How much is parking?

The Policies

Whether you’re renting an apartment or renting a house, there are rules that go along with living in a property that you don’t own. Before signing the lease, make sure that the policies laid down are going to suit you and that you agree with all of them. Ask questions such as:

-Are you allowed to paint the walls or hang pictures?

-Are pets allowed? How about pets in cages/tanks?

-Are there any resident quiet times or rules that you will have to abide by?

-Are you allowed to sublet?

-Who is responsible for the property’s maintenance and how do they handle it?

The Comfort

There’s nothing worse than moving into a building, only to find that there are drawbacks that you didn’t pick up on when viewing it. Little pitfalls can have a huge effect on your quality of life, so be sure to consider the following when choosing a flat or house to rent.

-What is the shower’s water pressure like?

-Can you control the heat?

-Is the house well insulated?

-Are there enough plug points?

-Is there space for all your appliances?

-Is there mobile reception available?

-Is there a phone line already installed or will you have to install one?

-Is there storage available for extra furniture and goods?

-Is there a parking spot and guest parking?

-Does the property seem secure?

When deciding on your perfect property, asking the right questions can make all the difference in the world. If you’re looking to rent a house or flat, be sure to speak to one of our expert local lettings agents who can help you find the ideal home, or browse our range of houses and flats for rent in London online.