- References: Have all references ready or ask current landlord whilst you are still resident;
- Availability: Where possible the ability to move in quickly may clinch a tenancy. Of course, balance this with giving your current landlord as much notice as possible;
- SAFE: Look for the SAFE kitemark this can protect your money or advance if the agent goes out of business.
- Regulation: Is the agent a member of a professional body (RICS, ARLA, NALS, or the property Ombudsman).
- Charges: Check what fees the agent charges – ask questions what each fee represents. Ask for the final or total fee;
- Contract: Insist on a written tenancy agreement;
- Inventory: Agree an inventory with your landlord at the start of the tenancy.
- Deposit: Ensure that your deposit is protected by one of the approved Tenancy Deposit Protection schemes;
- Certificates: Ask to see a gas safety certificate and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) It is a legal requirement for landlords to have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer f there are gas appliances.
- Repair: Ask the landlord for records of any electrical inspections.
Some other useful things to remember as a tenant are not to:
- Stop paying rent if something goes wrong;
- Be a nuisance to the neighbours
- Let problems fester – speak to your landlord;
- Do repairs to the property without permission from your landlord.
- Sub-let, licence (take a lodger) or allow someone to otherwise move into the property unless you have permission from your landlord.