Flat Viewing Checklist

I am currently in the market for a new apartment. While browsing the Internet for information on how to view and choose a flat, I collated this list. I thought I could post it up here as a reference and reminder for myself as wll as anyone who is or is thinking of looking for a place.

---

You should always play the role of a discerning client when viewing a flat. Remember, you are probably making a year-long commitment that will cost thousands of pounds. Consequently, feel free to ask as many questions necessary for you to feel comfortable about the decision. The property manager/ person showing you the flat should respect your diligence.

Before you arrive for the flat viewing, make sure you have a checklist of things to look for and a list of questions to ask about the flat and management company.

The following three checklists are a good tool to use before, during, and after the flat viewing. Please use these checklists as a guide and feel free to edit the list to best suit your needs.

Before the Viewing
Before the viewing, ask the most important questions over the phone to make sure the flat is even a potential candidate. Here are some big questions for you to consider:

• How many bedrooms in the houseshare?
• Where is the place located?
• What is the rent? How much are utilities per month?
• Does the landlord allow pets?
• Does the place offer X or Y that we absolutely must have?
• Is the flat located close enough to work, or school?
• Is the flat located near the tube or a bus line?

If time permits, you should drive/walk by the place to get a feel for the neighborhood and see if you like the building before the actual viewing.

During the Viewing
Dress neatly and show up well groomed for the occasion. Making a good first impression can give you an advantage when competing with other people for the flat.
If possible, you should bring the following things with you to the viewing:

• A pen and notepad
• A form of identification
• References from previous landlords
• Your checkbook
• A digital camera to take pictures of the space for review later

When you are visiting the flat, make sure to check out the following:

• Are the door locks stable and functional?
• Do all of the windows have functional locks, screens, and do they open and close easily?
• Do the oven and all the burners on the stove function properly?
• Is the refrigerator frost-free?
• Are there any major cracks in the walls or ceilings?
• How is the water pressure for both hot and cold water?
• Look underneath the kitchen sink, behind the stove and refrigerator, and low level kitchen cabinets. Are there any rodent droppings, or holes where rodents/insects could come in?
• Do you see any mousetraps, or bait, indicating a current or previous rodent problem?
• Do you see any signs of water stains, swelling, or warping along the baseboards? Does the flat smell of mildew?
• How many electrical outlets are in each room?
• How many telephone jacks are in the flat and where are they located?
• Is there a cable television and Internet hookup?
• Are there smoke detectors in the flat, and are they all working?
• Is there a fire extinguisher in the flat?
• On the exterior of the property, how do the grounds look? Is the grass neatly mowed? Is the snow shoveled away? Is there any rubbish or debris on the sidewalks or lawns? Is the building facade neatly painted and well-maintained?

While you meeting with the property manager/ potential flatmate, here are some questions to ask:

• What is the average utility bill?
• What is the monthly rent?
• Is an advance required? If so, how many months?
• Are any utilities included in the monthly rent?
• How long will the lease run?
• Is there a guarantee on the rent fee? Will it go up? If so, how much?
• Is it possible to renew?
• What is the pet policy for the building?
• Is there any parking provided?
• How are regular and emergency maintenance issues handled (who pays)?
• What is the policy for subletting (who can rent)?
• How is rubbish disposal handled?
• Has the flat building been broken into in the last few years?

Before leaving, you should make sure that you have a clear understanding of the application process and the date that the flat will become available.

After the Viewing
After you have seen the flat, think seriously about what you have seen. If there are doubts, continue your search. If you are interested, but would like to keep looking around, it’s a good idea to find out how many more showings the property manager/ person has. This will let you estimate how much time you have to make a decision.

If you are not interested in the flat, politely let the property manager/ person know, and thank them for their time. If you are interested, ask the manager/person showing the flat how to proceed with the application/ moving in process. Make sure to provide all of the necessary documentation right away to secure the flat before someone else comes along.

If it is not possible for you to view the flat personally, try to get a friend, or family member to handle the viewing. Also, ask them to take digital images of the place to send to you for inspection.