🏠 Ready to dive into the exciting world of property viewings? Let's chat about what's next on your rental journey!
🔍 Flat Viewing Checklist: Essential Questions to Ask
Energy Efficiency:
• Double glazed windows? (Your bank account will thank you in winter!)
• Instant water heater or storage boiler?
• A/C available for those rarely found summer days?Comfort and Cleanliness:
• Carpet condition and professional cleaning plans
• Shower pressure (because nobody likes a drizzle!)
• Furniture inventory - what stays and what goes?Practical Matters:
• Utility bills breakdown for summer and winter (you can ask the agent to check with the current tenants)
• Maintenance contact - landlord or letting agent?
• Council tax band (important for budgeting!)
• Number of keys provided
• Parking situation (If you drive in London 🤨)
• Electricity/gas supplier flexibility (Some new buildings have a fixed supplier, which can be pricey because there is no flexibility to update the plan.)Neighbourhood Scoop:
• Who are the neighbours? (Both in the building and nearby)
• Public transport options (bus stops, tube stations, 24-hour services)
• Local amenities (supermarkets, high street, parks)
• Nearby schools (often a sign of a family-friendly, safe area)
Pro tip: If the current tenant is around, don't be shy! Ask them about their experience with the landlord and why they're moving out. It's like getting the inside scoop! 😉
🏘️ Making an Offer: Time to Seal the Deal!
Found your dream flat? Basically, once you have made up your mind, you can tell the agent you would like to make an offer. Depending on the agent, they might just ask you to email them your offer or fill in their offer form.
Awesome! Here's what you need to know about making an offer:
Rent amount
Lease term (12, 18, or 24 months?)
Break clause details (flexibility is key!)
Your financial info (annual income, job details)
Right to rent/visa status
Holding deposit (usually refundable if the landlord says no)
Any special requests or issues you spotted during the viewing (Professional clean; Any issues you noticed during the viewing. Put them all down.)
📋 The Rental Process: What to Expect
Holding deposit
Reference check (work and previous living situations)
Tenancy agreement review (read every line, seriously‼️)
Sign ✍️
Pay the deposit and first month's rent (make sure the agent put the deposit in Tenancy Deposit Scheme)
Start packing! 🧳 (checking out part 3 for more rental tips)
🌞 Summer Rental Tips:
It's peak season, especially for students (July to September)
Call agents directly for viewings instead of relying on emails
Act fast when you find "the one" - send that offer ASAP!
Consider longer leases with break clauses for better deals
In my experience, landlords are usually quite responsive, and I got confirmation the next day. Then the whole process kicks off, and you will need to fill in more details, including a reference check. The reference check requires both work and living checks. When I first moved to the UK, I could not provide previous UK addresses, but I had an employment letter issued by HR to prove my work and salary.
Summer is usually a busy season. ☀️ I happened to move during summertime twice. Students do their flat hunting from July to September.
My advice would be to try to call the agent instead of sending an email to book the earliest viewing time. Once you view it and think it's the one, send the offer email ASAP. I did a 24-month lease with a 12-month break clause and prepaid six months to get my one-bedroom flat. It's a very decent size (after viewing 10 studios where the kitchen is opposite the bed and also costs you 1000 pcm).
Everything is pretty straightforward, and you should expect to receive the tenancy agreement within a week. Make sure you check the start date and payment terms and read through before signing. Sign and pay the deposit and first month's rent.
The whole process is pretty straightforward, and you should have your tenancy agreement within a week. Just make sure to double-check all the details before signing!
There you have it, your ultimate guide to flat hunting success! Good luck out there, and may the perfect rental be with you! 🍀🔑