Moving house; what to ask before your move
November 19, 2018
Moving house can be a complicated process, especially if you don’t give yourself enough time to plan things out. From encountering rogue landlords and dodgy properties, to balancing high expectations with the reality that no new space will be immediately perfect. You have to hunt for that property that ticks all of your boxes in terms of location and size, but at the same time, you do not want to end up paying more than you have to for a substandard space.
The law specifies that landlords are obliged to keep their rental properties up to a certain standard. Not just to keep their tenants happy but to keep you safe from harm. However, as the horror stories of the news keep reminding us, there are always landlords who try to get around these rules.
But to avoid any potential problems, we have come up with a list of the most important questions for any new tenant to ask. Be prepared to ask landlords, estate agents and even yourself exactly whether a property is fully up to standard before making any kind of commitment.
What to ask when moving into a new house or flat
What do the bills include?
Know the average prices for your local area. This will ensure that you won’t risk paying more than you have to on a property. And it will also allow you to avoid sub-par properties with landlords who try to hook people in with prices that seem too good to be true.
If the price is higher, ask why. Maybe the bills are included in the rent? And with energy, water and even broadband prices increasing, the inclusion of several monthly bills could actually save you money.
In most cases, tenants will need to find utility suppliers on their own after moving into a property. If this is the case, then ask your landlord to request information from former tenants about which suppliers they used and whether they recommend them. Compare local rates and research reviews to ensure you get the most reliable suppliers for the best prices.
What is the area like?
Asking the right questions about the area you’re moving to is vital. Most renters think in terms of their commute to work, access to local amenities like shops and transport links. And whilst the right answers here can make a property look great on paper, it fails to prepare you for what it will be like to actually live there!
If you have friends in the neighbourhood, ask them whether or not the location is noisy at night. Ask the letting agency if there have been noise complaints against other neighbours, if they manage multiple flats or apartments for instance. Check your proximity to pubs and clubs and always be cautious if you’re looking at a central, urban location in big cities like Birmingham and London.
Online groups on the likes of Facebook and other social media platforms are always a useful tool. And don’t forget to check crime statistics for the area; if break-ins are a regular occurrence, you may want to ask yourself if the low rents will be worth it. Maybe even knock on potential neighbours doors and speak with them about any concerns.
And of course, if you have young children, you will need to ensure that there is a good quality school close by! Check the Ofsted reports and online reviews to see what current parents’ opinions are.
What to ask before your move
Is it furnished?
This is entirely a personal preference when looking for renting a property. Many tenants do not have a great deal of furniture and rely on landlords to provide chairs, tables, beds, storage and so on. Whilst some, notably those who are long-term renters, enjoy being able to personalise their spaces and will bring their own furniture with them. It is important to check whether a property is furnished in advance of signing a tenancy agreement.
Unfurnished properties are typically cheaper to rent, as it saves the landlord having to buy furniture of their own. And with Freecycling websites like Freegle, Facebook Marketplace and the likes of Gumtree full of furniture that fellow renters are getting rid of, you can easily find pieces without breaking the bank. ore appropriate.
Look at local furniture charity shops also, with many getting new pieces donated to them, meaning that you get a large discount and support a good cause whilst doing so. There’s also plenty of retailers like IKEA or Argos, which offer options to suit most budgets.
If the landlord provides any furniture whatsoever, it is important that you take good care of it. At the end of your tenancy, your landlord may charge you if they find that their belongings are damaged. You may even be asked to replace it if the damage is too severe to repair. It’s important to take images of the furniture so that you can refer back to the original quality if any dispute arises at the end of your tenancy.
In some furnished properties, landlords will support you by providing extra furniture if need be. For example, if you wanted to use one of the bedrooms as a living room or vice versa, your landlord may replace the existing furniture with something more appropriate.
How much is council tax?
Paying council tax is, sadly, unavoidable. Even if you wait to register with your local authority, you will still be asked to provide payments based on your exact moving day. Meaning that avoiding the bill just leads to a larger one down the line. In short, there’s no way to legally get around paying your dues.
So, ask your estate agent or landlord what council tax band the property is, to find out how much you will have to pay if you move in.
Some online estate agents will list the council tax on the website when selling a property. Failing that, many council websites allow you to search for the information using the property’s postcode.
Are you allowed to decorate?
This is an important question, especially if you are planning to live in your new property for a long time. Even if you’re just looking for a short-term lease, you’ll want to make it feel more like a home than just a house. This can also be particularly important if you will have children living with you.
And prior to moving in to a new house or flat, always check if the decor is up to par. If it’s not, then request for your landlord to redecorate, or offer to cover the costs of doing so yourself.
In either case, you should always make sure that you have permission before you start decorating. If decorating will break the tenancy agreement, your landlord may even choose to remove you from your new address, or withhold your deposit when you move out.
How long is the rental period?
Before signing a tenancy agreement, you should always have a clear answer for how long you will be staying at your new property. A fixed-term will be more stable for you than a rolling monthly contract, though if you are only planning to stay for a short time then the latter option may be preferable.
12-month agreements are the standard for tenancy agreements, but you should never just assume this. Your landlord may even be looking for short-term tenants, and the last thing you want is to be kicked out of your new home unexpectedly.
Will the landlord be making repairs?
If you are a tenant with a trained eye, you may well spot a number of defects when you go to view properties. If you mention these to the estate agent of the landlord, they will typically arrange repairs on your behalf, hopefully before you move in.
This is particularly important when it comes to category one hazards, such as exposed wiring or black mould. These faults will have the potential to put your life in danger if left alone, so be sure to mention them immediately if you spot them. If the landlord is not prepared to fix these issues, it will be best for you to look elsewhere. And in serious situations, contact the appropriate authority to prevent someone from moving into dangerous living conditions.
You can also point out minor issues, such as chips in a window or a broken piece of furniture, taking photos of these for your own records. Whilst your landlord is unlikely to update the property needlessly, there is no harm in asking them to bring it up to an acceptable standard and ensuring you have a record of their existence in case of false accusations when it comes to reattaining your rent at the end of your contract.
What is the pet policy?
It is common for landlords not to allow their tenants to keep pets. Dogs and cats, in particular, are often seen as an unwelcome danger, both to furniture and general cleanliness
However, if you have an animal that is well behaved or non-disruptive pets such as fish (think small, we’re not talking an octopus here) or snakes, your landlord may be willing to make an exception. You should also keep in mind that landlords cannot legally discriminate against disabled tenants with service animals.
Do not risk getting a pet if you have been informed they are not allowed, as landlords can request you to remove them or ask you to leave due to a breach of the agreed contract.
Find out more about moving with a cat or moving with a dog.
How much will the deposit be?
Rental deposits are the standard for rented properties - there’s no getting around that!
Luckily, a 2019 policy limited deposits for new and renewed tenancies to 5 weeks’ rent. Said rent will be redeemable at the end of your tenancy, provided you keep the property in a decent condition.
Once your deposit amount has been confirmed, be sure to ask your estate agent or landlord which deposit protection scheme they will use to keep it safe. This is mandatory for landlords, so if you find that you cannot get a straight answer, it is a good idea to look at renting from someone else.
What is the energy efficiency like?
The energy efficiency of your new property will decide how much you need to spend on energy every month. Something incredibly important for those who don’t have bills included in their rental agreement.
To check, simply ask to see the property’s energy performance certificate (EPC). This should contain a rating for your property from A to G, with A being the best and G being the worst. A high energy efficiency rating (e.g. A) can indicate useful features like insulation, double glazing or even smart technology.
If the property does not have these features installed, talk to your landlord. They may be willing to look at pricing up these adjustments, with many energy suppliers covering the costs of the upgrades.
Keep in mind that, as of April 2018, it is illegal to let properties with energy ratings of F or G. If you view a property with a substandard rating, be sure to ask for an explanation from the estate agent. It may be that the EPC is simply out of date, but if the landlord is simply stingy, you should not take any chances.
Find out more about switching your energy when moving house.