Before looking for a rental property, it might be handy for you to find a letting agent. Manchester has a wide selection of letting agents you can choose from. Hiring a letting agent when searching for your ideal property can help save you a lot of time and give you guidance if you are renting a property for the first time.

Firstly, you’ll need to think about the area of your rental property – are there any supermarkets or grocery shops nearby? You’ll also need to consider the transport links, especially if you travel by public transport. To feel assured, you could take the time to look at the crime statistics in your area to check that it’s a safe place to live.

Secondly, when viewing your potential property, we advise you to take your time looking around – make sure you inspect everywhere, this is the place you could be living in for years to come. People often make the mistake of rushing around with the estate agent and not checking the property properly. Here are a few factors to take into account when viewing a property:

Safety

If your rental property is going to be furnished, check all of the appliances have had safety checks. The landlord should be able to provide certification that all appliances are safe to use. You’ll also need to check if the property is secure; examine the front and back doors to ensure they have decent locks, and also check if the bottom windows are able to be locked. All houses are legally required to have fitted fire alarms upstairs and downstairs, make sure these are in perfect working condition. Finally, check the landlord can provide you with the gas and electricity annual safety records – these is vital for your safety in the home.

Outside

Is the garden in good condition, do you have a shed for storage if you need it? Find out if it’s the landlord’s or your job to maintain the property’s garden. Also chat with the neighbours, find out what previous tenants thought of the property and get to know what happens in the area.

Inside

Always look out for any repairs that may need doing and talk these through with the landlord. Also check for any signs of dampness, especially if you’re looking at an older property. Boundaries can be put in place to help this common problem. If there are signs of dampness, check to see if all of the windows are double-glazed and if they aren’t, it may be worth asking your landlord if there is a chance of having them double-glazed. You’ll also need to make sure there a good heating system is fitted and check all of the radiators to see if they are working. Bear in mind, if the house is damp and windows aren’t double-glazed then you will be using more heating than usual to keep the house aired. You’ll need to consider this when working out the cost of bills. Keep an eye out for any dodgy wiring or signs the landlord has been taking short cuts.

If you decide on a property that has a few faults, make sure photographs of these faults are taken with landlord and you have evidence in writing that the damage will be corrected. The photographs will also provide evidence of already-existing damage in the property in case any money is deducted from your deposit when you leave. Finally, read through and understand your tenancy agreement – people often skim through the terms and conditions but it\’s important to know your rights. Also make sure you have a hard copy of the tenancy agreement to keep for yourself.

Author Bio: Ian Grainger is writing on behalf of Shepherd Gilmour, letting agent Manchester.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: rental property, letting property, property to let, property for rent