Property information
When you have found a home, you should ask the landlord or letting agency the following questions:
- When is the home available?
- What is the rent and how often do I have to pay it?
- How much is the deposit?
- Are any others bills included in the rent, for example: water bills, energy bills, Council Tax?
- Is the landlord or letting agent trying to charge any additional fees?
- Is anyone else living in the property?
- Are any facilities shared and with who are they shared?
- What kind of tenancy is this?
- Are children, smoking, pets or bicycles allowed?
- Does the letting agent belong to a client money protection scheme?
- Who is the contact for repairs and other tenancy issues?
You should also ask for a copy of:
- any proposed tenancy agreement; and
- the most recent landlords gas safety certificate, a record of electrical inspections, the Energy Performance Certificate and if applicable the landlord's licence.
You can also check if the landlord or agent has been convicted of a housing offence.