Going for a flat viewing

andi said:

What things do I need to ask and consider?

You need to ask about the financial side:

How much deposit, weekly or monthly rental cost, what sort of guaranteed are needed, if any insurance is needed, what bills are included and what do you pay for and what the exit process involves (typically they will expect the flat returned spotless but there are sometimes charges for a clean applied regardless of the condition).

What furniture is included (if any).

Look for things that are broken or rotten - door that don't close properly, lights that don't work, dirty or damaged furniture, mould on ceilings, very bouncy floors in the bathroom, dripping taps etc. These all need to be either fixed or documented on entry so you are not charged for them on exit (a common scam).

Ask about the neighbours - any complaints about them. Having an antisocial neighbour is a huge issue.

Ask about any work planned for the flat, building or neighbourhood in the coming year. If they are planning to replace all the plumbing in 2 months time then that will be a huge inconvenience to you.

Take a video recording of the flat at this time too as it is not uncommon for stuff the be there in viewings but gone by the time you move in so you get less furnishings. Take the time to compare this when you move in and flag up discrepencies straight away.

Thats it on the negative side - try to feel what the flat is like and listen for any noise from neighbours, traffic and/or local schools etc.

Good luck

andi said:

What things do I need to ask and consider?

You need to ask about the financial side:

How much deposit, weekly or monthly rental cost, what sort of guaranteed are needed, if any insurance is needed, what bills are included and what do you pay for and what the exit process involves (typically they will expect the flat returned spotless but there are sometimes charges for a clean applied regardless of the condition).

What furniture is included (if any).

Look for things that are broken or rotten - door that don't close properly, lights that don't work, dirty or damaged furniture, mould on ceilings, very bouncy floors in the bathroom, dripping taps etc. These all need to be either fixed or documented on entry so you are not charged for them on exit (a common scam).

Ask about the neighbours - any complaints about them. Having an antisocial neighbour is a huge issue.

Ask about any work planned for the flat, building or neighbourhood in the coming year. If they are planning to replace all the plumbing in 2 months time then that will be a huge inconvenience to you.

Take a video recording of the flat at this time too as it is not uncommon for stuff the be there in viewings but gone by the time you move in so you get less furnishings. Take the time to compare this when you move in and flag up discrepencies straight away.

Thats it on the negative side - try to feel what the flat is like and listen for any noise from neighbours, traffic and/or local schools etc.

Good luck

Yes agreed with all of the above. I would recommend you take a notebook as well so you can write down what they say, just so you don't forget. I think that will help you a lot. It helped me.

Congrats by the way! This is a big step to take and hopefully the start of a fabulous adventure!

I know what the deposit is, there’s a holding deposit as well I’m not entirely sure what that is and they are good prices I can afford. I know I can afford this property with being able to save at the same time as it is something I have thought a lot about. I know roughly where it is and it’s in a good location for travel as I can’t drive so it’s on bus routes. I don’t have kids nor intend to have any anytime soon so schools I’m not too fussed about. 
okay I’ll make a note of those apparently some may even give you a pack so can read before you sign it I heard that’s a thing?