It’s totally understandable to be excited about finding your dream home in Leicester! However, it’s important to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Sometimes it can be tough to stay objective when you’re so in love with a property, but taking the time to gather all the facts will help you feel confident in your choice.
You may start to establish expectations and base judgments on them by coming prepared with questions for your Leicester letting agent to answer during the viewing. As a potential renter, you’ll probably have to go on a few viewings before deciding on a place to call home. As we all know, property descriptions, web photos, and videos can only provide so much information.
You’ll be in a much stronger bargaining position if you have all the facts. Furthermore, by making inquiries in advance, you’ll save yourself a lot of time in the present competitive market when houses are moving swiftly. Here are the 5 most crucial inquiries you should make during your property viewing.
What are the deposit terms like?
Don’t be caught off guard by hidden fees; clarify the deposit amount and due date with your agent. It is typical practice for landlords to demand a damage deposit equal to one month’s to five weeks’ worth of rent up in advance. Find out whether you need to put down a holding deposit to keep the property while the landlord does their background checks.
In high-demand locations, a holding deposit may be required to hold a property for you. Ensure that the property owner or rental agency is transparent about the holding deposit’s amount, the duration that they will hold onto it, and what will happen if you don’t get it back.
Please provide proof of gas and electrical safety
Agents must be able to inform you about gas and power safety arenagadgets regulations and what to anticipate in terms of maintenance, but these may not be accessible at the viewing. A reputable property manager will also publish an EPC with the listing and provide a hard copy to the showing. The need for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) was gradually imposed, with complete implementation for residential premises occurring by the fall of 2008. EPCs have a 10-year lifespan.
How would you describe the neighbours?
The quality of your home life may be greatly impacted by your neighbours, both good and negative. It’s important to consider how your household’s habits and structure may affect people in your community. Inquire about the locals. Do we have an old couple here? A young family? Is there a history of problems with past renters?
Living on a loud street, for instance, might be a problem if your job schedule often involves night-time or shift work. You may not like having rowdy college students as neighbours if you have a young family.
How do you feel about pets and interior redesign?
Wall painting and the hanging of wall-mounted bookcases, photographs, and mirrors are often prohibited under lease agreements. While some landlords may allow minor decorating alterations, the scope of these adjustments is often restricted. Inquire about this ahead of time, and if the decor can’t be changed, make sure it’s to your liking.
Looking to relocate with your furry friend? Most ads will specify whether dogs are welcome, but it never hurts to double-check. Landlords aren’t always set in stone about not allowing pets, but some may be ready to make an exception if you offer to pay for any damages your pet causes.
What roles does everyone play?
It is reasonable to assume that letting agencies will make it clear who you should contact in the event of maintenance issues, and if it is the landlord, they will direct you to contact them.
When looking at an apartment, be sure to ask about service fees and who is in charge of maintaining any shared spaces like gardens or hallways. It’s also important to know whether or not the rent covers utilities.
Summing Up
It’s important to come up with a list of questions to ask the landlord before going to look at a rental place. Even if you aren’t purchasing the property, you’ll still stay there for a while, so it’s important to make sure you’ll be content there. A renting agency may not always be upfront with crucial details concerning a rental property; thus, it is in the renter’s best interest to do some preliminary investigation on their own.
