What questions should i ask the estate agent?

[Emmielu]

I'm viewing a house on wednesday via an estate agent. (Rented) I've learnt from my very close mistake last time that its safer for me as a first time renter to go via estate agents. Aside from the main questions i've asked (housing, deposit, children etc) What other questions should i ask? I'll write down all the questions. xx

Ask what if any furniture is included, curtains etc. Check that appliances like a cooker are included (you'd be surprised!) and if things like a washing machine or dishwasher are included. Sometimes you may be offered use of them but the landlord may not want liability if they break down.

Check out the parking situation, use of any outbuildings, boundaries and garden.

Ask how often inspections are done - some are as often as 3 months, some only once a year.

Are any services included, such as garden maintenance. Check the council tax band (you can do that online as well).

Ask about the landlord's situation - is the place a buy-to-let? Are they abroad? Try to get a feel for the length of let beyond the initial tenancy.

Will come back if I think of anything else! What do you already know about the house?

Thanks! I already know how much deposit & rent is, council tax band B & it has a garden. There isnt a lot written about it on the website but I'll write down all those questions ready for Wednesday. My friend is coming with me so she'll remind me of anything I may have missed.

ask about coucil tax.
also the adress/name of the landlord (often only the agency is on the contract).
be sure you get everything in writing and follow up phone calls with a quick email ( ...as discussed...)
insist on an inventory and check it.
ask if you can put up your own pictures on the wall (often not allowed)

whats an inventory? How do i check it?

the inventory is a list of all things that are in the flat with a description of their condition. also the condition of floors/walls/doors is noted as are any faults (a damp patch or peeling wallpaper for example).

Oooh i see. So at least that way it makes it easier when/if i move out to know what was already there & what wasnt to save disputes.

exactly

Also, when you do find a place make sure you take lots of photos of the condition of things, and damages etc. and annotate the inventory with your own observations. That way the agents / ll cannot try to pass off any issues that existed before you moved in as being your fault (thus enabling them to withhold part of your deposit).

They probably won't have the inventory ready when you first look round. If the previous tenant is still there though you should ask what is included, as you won't know by looking which things belong to the tenant.

But when you move in they should give you a detailed inventory with photos. It's a good idea to check it thoroughly and get back to them if anything is wrong, especially if anything is damaged at all to prevent you getting blamed later.

Worth visting outside school hours and in reasonable weather if you can, or if not return to the house at some other time to check out what the area's like.

...and switch your nose on. too strong an airfreshener smell could (try to) hide unpleasant smells like urine or mould.
look and smell behind furniture, especially big pieces at the outside walls. also in the cupboard under the sink.
you really don't want a mouldy place.

Have a real nose at the immediate neighbours' gardens, to try to get a feel of what they're like - it can be hell living next to wannabe DJs, or big barking dogs if your DC are little.