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Tenants given 15 questions to ask landlords and agents

A controversial PropTech rental platform has issued a list of questions and issues to check when tenants rent from a landlord or letting agent.

The list comes from Canopy, which last month raised eyebrows in the industry when it came out in favour of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s proposal for a rent freeze and other controls on the private rental sector in the capital.   

At the time Chris Hutchinson, chief executive of rental platform Canopy, said: “The proposal from Sadiq Khan to freeze private rents would be a welcome boost for renters at such a testing time.  The cost of living crisis is hitting everyone hard and those renting, in potentially energy inefficient homes, are likely to see utility prices skyrocket. And the continuous growth of house prices and increased cost of living makes scrapping together a deposit an increasingly difficult challenge for those looking towards homeownership, meaning they’ll be renting for longer.”

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Now Hutchinson has produced a list of questions for tenants to ask landlords when looking around a potential new home.

1. Cost - "The first question on everyone’s mind: the cost. Start by double checking how much rent will cost, the deposit amount, and if any bills (such as water or electricity) are included. You’ll disappoint yourself if you find out the rent is higher than you can afford so it’s always good to find out first. If it feels too high, double check first what’s included. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate! Doing some research into the prices of similar properties in the local area, or agreeing to pay a few months rent upfront, can help lead to a happy compromise."

2. Cladding - "This one is very important, is there cladding? Cladding isn’t always dangerous, but certain types can be, this includes: Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) and Metal Composite Materials (MCM). If the building has this in place, ask what is being done about it, and make sure you’re happy with all the information you are given before you leave."

3. Alarms - "Your safety is incredibly important, so it’s good to have alarms which let you know when it is being compromised. Double check with the landlord to see if there are any smoke, carbon monoxide or intruder alarms, or if any are due to being installed. Alarm systems can help bring down home insurance costs, as well as protect you from nasty surprises. While you’re at it, familiarise yourself with where the fire escapes are."

4. On-going issues - "On-going issues can take the shape of roof leakages, electrical issues or even pest-infestation. Your landlord should disclose any problems, but make sure you ask, just in case."

5. Energy Performance Certificate - "With the rise of inflation and cost of living, the EPC is important if you’re hoping to save on energy bills. All properties should be above an E rating, but remember that ‘super homes’ – homes that reduce their carbon footprint by at least 60% - might be more expensive."

6. Storage - "Definitely ask about storage – there might be more than meets the eye. Additionally, if the property comes with a garage, double check that you’re able to use it, as the landlord may be using it themselves."

7. Decorating - "Asking about decorating your home can be important if customisation is key to you feeling comfortable. Double check if you can hang pictures or fixtures, such as bookshelves, or if you can even paint the walls. Some landlords may have just redecorated before renting the property, and therefore might not enjoy the idea of someone undoing all that hard work. Double-check how they feel about changing the look of their flat, as they might not even be comfortable with the use of Blu Tack on their walls."

8. White goods - "Consider whether white goods (washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges, etc.) are included in the property, as this could save you time and money on investing in already provided equipment."

9. Car parking - "This can cause issues very quickly, so if you’re planning on bringing your vehicle with you, check to see if you have a spot and whether you need a permit. Parking etiquette can be important for maintaining relationships with neighbouring properties, so ask if there are any rules that others follow. Also, double check what procedures are for moving vans – they may end up unintentionally blocking neighbours in."

10. Property management - "Sometimes it may be an estate agent instead of the property owner showing you around. If so, double check to see who will be managing the property, and who to turn to if you have any further questions or issues. Also, ask about maintenance fees. If you have a shared garden or court-yard, you may be asked to help pay for the upkeep."

 

11. Direction - "The direction of the property can play an important part in how you remember your experience there. The direction of the building can mean limited or extra exposure to sun, both of which could be a hinderance or a blessing."

12. Furniture - "Sometimes landlords will provide furniture with your apartment to sweeten the deal or make moving in easier. This may include bed frames, sofas, TV stands, etc. If so, ask when looking around if the furniture will be included. If you have come from a property where you had to provide all of your own furniture, it might be difficult to have to suddenly find storage for your bed frame. If you’re not keen on having their furniture, ask if it can be removed before turning up on moving day to find it’s still there."

13. Pets - "Whilst new regulation mean that it should be easier for renters to find accommodation for themselves and their beloved pets, this isn’t always the case, and you may find your landlord would prefer if they weren’t there. Letting your landlord know ahead of time that you’d like to bring your pet along may work out in the long run. You could potentially set up a viewing with your pet to prove to the owner how well-behaved they are – we’ve even heard of instances where people are providing pet CVs."

14. Break clause - "Checking if there is a break clause in your contract can be the lifeline you didn’t know you needed. Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned and asking for a break clause could save you a lot of money and stress in the future."

15. Neighbours - Lastly, ask about the neighbours. Everyone hopes to have lovely neighbours they can pop round and see with a banana loaf, but life doesn’t always work out like that. Check to see what your landlord says about them. Think about what might disturb you in your new home, and look into anything you think might cause a trouble.

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

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    Generally some sensible questions. The only bit that jumped out at me was "they might not even be comfortable with the use of Blu Tack on their walls."
    Do any of us welcome Blu Tack?
    Universities fine people per blob.
    It either rips the paint off the wall or leaves a greasy residue that bleeds through subsequent coats of paint for years to come.
    To deal with it properly requires considerable effort. Cleaning the affected area with a solvent based cleaning product, painting with stain blocking paint and then several coats of room colour paint.
    Has anyone got a less labour intensive method?

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    Top 1 question for Landlords to Tenants:
    Do you have a property owning solvent guarantor?

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    Nice idea in theory but when you are bidding against 20 other people for a property they only pertinent question really is 'Can I have it?'.

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    Negotiating a lower rent ? little chance of that at present, either they can afford it or they can't, if they can't don't view

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    I agree with Tricia and Andrew.

    Note to Tenants: Be nice and humble otherwise you have no chance of getting my property. It's not a buyer's market thanks to Shelter, Acorn, Generation Rant etc.

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    More a list of things to consider. As it's not a buyers market then unfortunately most prospective tenants are lucky to get a viewing. I usually get over 40 enquiries in a week, and I might offer 8 viewings. Tenants would definitely need to ask about redecorating and pets. My rents are always fair so if they try to haggle on that then its a big no from me I am afraid.

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    • 12 April 2022 10:04 AM

    Ask more questions!....by the time you're done, my flat is already rented 😀

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    I have just 1 question to the tenant. Do you want the house or not?

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    All comments so true. I had a student house last summer, fully refurbished (new kitchen, new bathrooms, new carpets, freshly decorated) and in prime location. Snapped up in 24 hours from being marketed and a holding deposit lodged. I then started to get a barrage of emails from the parent-from-hell. After a few of these, I got a feel for which way the wind was blowing and got the agents to return the holding deposit and get me another group. All hell broke loose from the first group but I genuinely feel that I dodged the bullet there. The replacement ones have been wonderful so far.

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    Long time since I rented to students, but I can remember that generally the snob parents were worse than the students themselves

     
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    Often still the case Andrew.

    Most of the kids are fine if they're not too spoiled but many parents are horrified to find the landlord cleaning or painting etc.

     
  • Matthew Payne

    It is a strangely constructed piece. Ask what the rent is? Cant you see that in the listing? Ask whats being done about ACM cladding? Who would move into a building that had it?

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