What am I responsible for?
The first of the questions is one of the most important. What level of repairs are you responsible for? Major works such as boiler repairs obviously fall under the responsibility of the landlord, but what about smaller issues such as scuffs on the wall, or lightbulbs?
While the answers might seem obvious, it’s well worth asking the question when renting an apartment so that you don’t get stung in the future.
What is the tenancy agreement for the apartment?
Another very important question. When moving into any apartment, you will have to sign a tenancy agreement; this is contract between you and your landlord to agree to various terms. It’s important that you understand fully what it is you’re signing up for!
One of the very first questions you will want to ask before renting the apartment is how long the tenancy for, as well as finding out the length of notice period should you decide to move out.
How are repairs dealt with?
Although there are many laws in place to protect tenants from rogue landlords, it’s unfortunately the case that issues with repairs and maintenance do come up from time to time. It’s a good idea therefore to check with your landlords how their maintenance process works prior to moving in. Questions you might ask include:
- What counts as an urgent repair?
- How soon do they agree to conduct urgent and non-urgent repairs?
Are bills included?
Many properties come with all bills included in the rent, but make sure that you check first to avoid a nasty surprise at the end of the month. Bill to check include water, electric, gas and council tax. It’s well worth checking whether the apartment comes with internet included, as many new apartments benefit from the feature.
How secure is the property?
It’s unfortunate, but security of a property has to be considered and is one of the questions you should ask when renting an apartment. There are many potential solutions that a property could have from large external gates to passcodes on all doors.
What’s your application and referencing process like?
Depending on your situation, you may be looking for somewhere to move to as soon as possible, or it may be that you have extenuating circumstances that may effect your references. It’s important to understand whether your landlord will be able to deal with the process efficiently and personally enough to take any other factors into account.
Want to see how ready you are to rent your own property? Read our free guide on how to rent for the first time, and learn everything you need to do to prepare.
