Five Things to Ask a Landlord About a Potential Property

In February 2011, the UK’s largest letting agent and property services group, Countrywide, reported that private rental properties in the UK are being snapped up at a much faster rate than a year ago. Whereas in early 2010, a property to let was on the market for an average of 20 days, Countrywide’s findings now show that the buoyant letting market means that properties are now being let within 15 days and that there are an average of 4.4 tenants vying for each property across the UK.

The result of this research means that there is now increasing pressure on any potential tenant to ensure they obtain all the information they require about the property they intend to let, as expediently and accurately as possible. As such, here are five absolutely key questions that any prospective tenant should be asking a landlord about letting a potential property.

1. How much is the rent, how is it to be paid and what does the payment cover?

Of course, the cost of renting a property is one of the key factors in deciding if the property is suitable, but you need to find out much more than just how much the rental cost is. Are you going to pay the landlord weekly or monthly? If so, do you pay by cash, cheque or direct debit? Do you require a security deposit in advance and if you do, how does the landlord hold and return the deposit at the end of your tenancy? It is also worth discovering if your rent includes any payments towards utility bills or your council tax and if it does, ensure that these payments are clearly identified on the lease agreement.

2. Are children or pets allowed in the property?

It may seem an obvious question but many tenants, during a visit to a potential property, can often forget to ask even the most obvious of questions. If you have children, or a pet of any variety, it is always sensible to ascertain from the landlord whether they will permit them in their property. If they do, it is also a good idea to have this stated explicitly in any rental agreement.

3. Is the property fully alarmed, secure and fitted with adequate fire safety measures?

When you are assessing a property to rent it is vital to understand how secure the property is, not just for your own peace of mind, but also for insurance purposes. Find out from the landlord the level of security at the property; does the front door have a mortise lock? Are the windows individually lockable? Is there an alarm system in place and how does it work? Also ask what the fire safety precautions are in the property, including fire extinguishers, blankets and smoke alarms.

4. What is the situation regarding parking a vehicle?

Many people own a car and it is important for them to be able to park close to or on the rental property. Not only does this help lower car insurance costs, but also it is more practical for the tenant.

5. Are you allowed to make small improvements to the property?

You may wish to put up your own curtains, or decorate a room to your taste by putting up picture hooks in the walls, or perhaps repaint a room. It is worth ascertaining if you can do this or not with the landlord beforehand and also have this stated clearly in any rental agreement.

With Countrywide noting that the number of properties available to let in the UK falling by 29 per cent, it is vital for potential tenants to ensure that they find out the answers to these five key questions as quickly as possible to expedite the signing of a satisfactory agreement on property to rent.