Questions to Ask About Property Rental

September 10, 2019 Property Rental

If you are thinking about letting a property, here are some of the questions you need to ask…

 

Questions to ask yourself about the property to determine needs – Tenant perspective
How many bedrooms do you need? When choosing from the properties to let in your area, you need to first consider the number of bedrooms you need. Remember it is just as important to not be paying for space you don’t need, as it is to ensure you are not overcrowded. As well as space, consider your other needs within the property.

 

Do you need a shower or a bath, do you prefer open plan living or all the rooms separated from each other? They may not seem like big questions now, but they will make a big difference in terms of noise levels, water bills, and furniture placement once you are in the property.

 

Also think about whether you need a ground floor flat, how many stairs you can manage, and whether you need lift access to the property. All of these types of details should form part of the property listing with the letting agents.

 

The location of the property is just as important. You need to consider which elements are priorities for you. Do you need to be on a bus route or close to a tube station?

 

Are local schools going to feature in your decision now or in the near future? Do you want to minimise your commute to work?

 

Questions for the tenant to ask the letting agent
Whether you wait until the viewing, or contact the letting agents before the viewing, it is important to gather as much information as you can about the properties that you are interested in. One of the first questions you need to ask is how much the rent on the accommodation is. It is also a good idea to check upfront exactly how much you need to budget for your deposit as well.

 

You also need to ask exactly what is included in the apartment’s rent. Some landlords include basic bills, while others do not. Remember you also need to budget for council tax for the rental term as well, so check what band the apartment is in. If bills are not included find out what you need to pay and ask for an idea of average bill size.

 

You might also want to find out whether there are pre-payment meters in the property. In terms of your deposit find out which deposit protection scheme the landlord will use and check them out before parting with any money. Don’t forget to check your notice period, request emergency contact information, and ask about insurance as well.

 

Questions about what is expected from you – Landlord perspective
One of the most important things that letting agents expect from their landlords is honesty, both with them and with their tenants. They will expect the description and property details that you upload to be accurate and a fair representation of the actual property. They will expect the same level of honesty in all your dealings with them and with your tenant. They will expect you to act in a timely manner. This includes in areas such as turning up for viewings, paying your fees and dealing with the prospective tenant’s paperwork and questions.

 

What about repairs and maintenance?
It will also include keeping your insurances up to date, and dealing with maintenance and repairs. Remember it is in your interest to keep everything moving as it means your property will be empty for the shortest possible time.

 

What about dealing with tenants?
Letting agents like Yellow Slate will also expect you to act fairly when dealing with your tenants. While failing to do this does not directly affect the letting agent it could, by association, affect their business. If they uphold the code of conduct set out by professional bodies for letting agencies, then they will expect you to be up to the same standard.