It’s easy to get carried away when looking at London property and some tenants might be tempted to make a snap decision when viewing.Residential Land has prepared a list of 10 crucial things to ask and look for when viewing a property.

1. Top 10 checklist for viewing
a Property

2. 10 things to ask and look for when viewing a property
Finding a property for rent in Central London is an exciting time for tenants as
there is a fantastic choice of houses and flats out there and a good place to start
your search is with Residential Land.

3. 10 things to ask and look for when viewing a property
It’s easy to get carried away
when looking at London
property and some tenants
might be tempted to make a
snap decision when viewing.
To stop you saying ‘I’ll take
it’ before you’ve had time to
think properly, Residential
Land has prepared a list of
10 crucial things to ask and
look for when viewing a
property.

4. Here’s our expert advice
1. If you have multiple
viewings booked, keep all the
appointments. You might fall in
love with the very first property
you view but subsequent
viewings might lead to an even
better option.
2. Ask about the running costs
Ask the landlord or agent to
provide utility and council tax
bills to give you an idea of how
much you might spend on
running the London property you
are viewing.

5. Here’s our expert advice
3. Ask about service charges,
ground rent and any extra costs
additional to the rent - it’s common
to contribute to the upkeep of
communal grounds and shared
facilities with some Central London
flats to rent - especially if they are in a
block or brand new development.
4. Find out what happens in an
emergency - the unexpected does
happen so it’s good to know who will
deal with maintenance in the event of
an emergency. Is round-the-clock
support in place? Residential Land
provides every tenant with a 24-hour
maintenance service.

6. Here’s our expert advice
5. Improvements undertaken - you’ll want to rent a property that’s well cared
for and maintained, so ask about recent improvements and the planned
maintenance schedule.

7. Here’s our expert advice
6. Look at the condition of the
property - if you’re not happy with
the state of the decor, fixtures or
fittings, raise this with the landlord or
agent before you make an offer.
7. Check communal areas and
facilities - make sure they are well
maintained and ask who is
responsible for their upkeep. Some
London rentals enjoy a residents’
gym, communal gardens and shared
laundry room but you’ll need
reassurance that these facilities will
be professionally maintained by an
experienced block manager.

8. Here’s our expert advice
8. Ask to see the EPC certificate - every
property for rent in Central London needs
to have an EPC certificate as part of the
marketing. The certificate will show you
how energy efficient the property is. If it
isn’t very efficient, your utility bills may be
higher and the property might need work,
such as a new boiler, double glazing and
better insulation.
9. Ask to see the gas safety record - a
landlord is legally obliged to carry out an
annual gas safety check on every gas
appliance/flue in a let property. A valid gas
safety record provided by a registered gas
engineer will prove that gas fittings and
appliances are safe to use

9. Here’s our expert advice
10. Check for smoke alarms and
carbon monoxide detectors - by law,
every property offered for rent must
meet new fire safety rules. Landlords
have to install a smoke alarm per
storey in a let property - including
mezzanine floors - where there is
some living accommodation present.
The rules also state that a carbon
monoxide detector must be placed
within any room that contains a solid
fuel combustion appliance. Smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors must be tested and
evidenced as working at the start of a
new tenancy or when it renews.

10. About Residential Land
Residential Land is London’s largest
private landlord, with a portfolio of over
1,200 flats, apartments and houses to rent
in prime Central London locations.
If you need to secure accommodation for the new
academic year or are thinking of transferring from
halls of residence, contact Residential Land today;
we are able to move you in on the same day!
Let’s Keep in Touch!