Flat rental viewings questions AIBU

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Going to some rental flat viewings this week, and have prepared some questions to ask the landlord/estate agent.

AIBU to ask you if there are any other questions I should ask the landlord or estate agent?

Thanks :)

Here are the questions I’ve got so far:

What’s the general security of the flats like?

Can I meet the flatmates?

Who do I contact if there is a problem with the flat?

How long have the flatmates been there?

How long are the flatmates staying?

Am I responsible for finding new flatmates?

How much notice do I have to give if I want to leave?

Ask to see copy of contract.

Is there a deposit?

Can I have a receipt for the deposit?

Is there a tenancy deposit scheme?

Bump :)

Bills inclusive or not and I like to check the wifi if I can.

How are bills shared

Cleaning arrangements (communal areas and own space)

Parking situation

What furniture is included

TV / internet set up

Thanks so much, everyone - these are great 👍 👍 Really appreciate your help :)

I think you need to be clear whether you are doing a flat share or just renting a room directly from the land lord - the two are very different.

And if one person leaves, do the others have to make up the rent, plus how much notice do you give. Is one person in charge of speaking to the landlord/letting agent? How are chores divided?

How to report repairs and procedure/timeline? Do you have to be present for repairs?

Ditto reporting disputes (flatmates and/or neighbours)

Is there a 6 month break clause in contract in case you decide to leave early

Contract length and what happens when time is up - should turn into monthly rolling contract but may ask to sign a new contract or require you to leave at the end

What's the council tax band?

Landlord's gas safety certificate on any gas appliances.

These are brilliant - thank you all so much :)

Might feel odd but check anything you can when you go round, check that appliances are clean and working if your allowed to look, check any communal doors (cupboard etc) I got caught out and now waiting for one to be fixed under the sink. Use your nose to smell if there's any damp also touch any exterior walls (inside) to see if they feel damp. Make a personal list of any problems which you can refer too if you wish to rent always message or email so you have important info in writing X good luck

Also, just another quick question :)

When rent prices are given per week (e.g. £100 per week), does anyone know how I work out the rent price per calendar month please?

To get the p.c.m. rent price, one option, according to a family member, is to multiply the weekly figure by 52 (52 weeks in a year) then divide the answer by 12.

So: 100 x 52 = 5200.
5200/12 = £433.33 per calendar month.

I’ve also seen another method here
which is: multiply the weekly rent by 4.33 (so: 100 x 4.33 = £433 monthly rent).

Does anyone know which it is please?

The top one, as 4.33 x 12 does not equal 52.

Turn on the shower to check the pressure is ok

Those are essentially the same method! 52/12 is 4.33 so either way you'll get the same answer 😊

Ask to speak to neighbours see if they have any complaints about flatmates. Ask if agency/landlord decides who is placed and what happens should there be a problem tenant.

Are you looking for a flatshare? Could you be over thinking things? Can you not just look on Spareroom.com rather than go through an estate agent? Much more personal.

ButFirstTea 52 / 12 = 4.33 recurring, not 4.33

Why are you moving into a flat with strangers?

How would that even work from a lease point of view?

What exactly are you renting? The bedroom? Like a lodger? If your leasing the flat why are other people living there?

Sorry, I dont understand the living arrangement.

Why are you moving into a flat with strangers?

Flatsharing with people you haven't met before is pretty widespread, isn't it? Especially in cities.

I'd also try and meet the flatmates. I lived in a flat that was party central. Great on a Friday or Saturday night if you have weekends off Not so much on a Sunday
If I ever go back into shared accommodation I'd be sure to check out working patterns were similar.

Turn on all the hob rings to check they work, and check there’s hot water from the kitchen tap.

Keep your eye open for the regulation fire blanket in the kitchen.

Make sure the door and windows in ‘your’ room open and close properly, and locks work if applicable.

Try and speak to potential flat mates to see how long it takes for issues to be rectified.

blog.spareroom.co.uk/london-landing-1/?aff=2029&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI68iHkty22gIVg73tCh2ClAigEAAYASAAEgI5vfD_BwE

Ive never heard of anyone going to an estate agent looking for a flatshare i dont understand how you wpuld get a feel for the people living there.

I've never done it. Never heard of anybody who has. Odd.

Find out if there’s a washing machine.

@Justmyownself it’s very common in London.

I've never done it. Never heard of anybody who has. Odd.

Really? I did it in my 20s & I have work colleagues who do it now. Seems odd to me that you haven't come across it but maybe it's a location thing.