External features

A visual inspection of the exterior of the property is always useful. Look for the following:

• Slipped or broken tiles;
• Rotten timber (especially the window frames and doors);
• Broken guttering;
• Crumbling or cracked walls;
• Adequate storage space for rubbish;
• Whether the property has a yard or garden - if so, ask who will be responsible for its maintenance.

Internal features

There are a number of questions that you need to ask either yourself or the landlord/agent when visiting a property. These include:

• How many rooms are there in the property?
• Do any rooms need decorating?
• How many of these are communal rooms?
• Are there enough facilities being provided for the number of people who will be sharing the house?
• Is the furniture in a good state of repair?
• How is the property heated? Are there enough heaters or radiators to keep the rooms warm in winter?
• Do the fridge, cooker etc. work properly?
• Is there plenty of hot water?
• Is the house free of damp and/or mould?
• Is there any sign of pests, such as droppings or slug trails?
  

Safety and security features

In addition to checking for yourself that the contents that are provided are sufficient and in working order, it’s vital that you ask questions to the landlord/agent about the safety and security of the property. You should back up your questions by looking carefully for certain features yourself, and if in doubt, talk to your students' union. The following questions are essential:

• Does the landlord possess a current gas safety certificate?
• Can the landlord prove that a Gas Safe registered engineer carried out the inspection?
• Have you checked to see that all gas appliances within the property have been included, and passed as being safe, on the gas safety certificate?
• Did the inspection take place within the last twelve months?
• Is there any fire detection equipment (e.g. smoke alarms) and does it work?
• If there was a fire, would you be able to escape using the main exits?
• Has the electrical wiring been checked within the last five years?
• Are all plug sockets free from cracks or other damage?
• Are there sufficient plug sockets in each room?
• Does all furniture comply with the relevant regulations?
• Are there locks on the windows?
• Are there suitably strong locks on front and back doors?
• Is there a burglar alarm?

Location of the property

As well as looking at the property itself, NUS recommends that you also consider where the property is situated and ask yourselves the following questions:

• Is the area convenient for your studies?
• How close are you to public transport?
• Are local shops and facilities adequate?
• Would you feel safe walking in the area at night?

Contracts and the landlord

• Is the landlord a part of an accreditation scheme? 
• Are there 5 or more of you, where at least 2 of you aren’t related?
• Is your property three floors or over? If so, your property is likely to be a licensable HMO
• Are you letting this house through an individual landlord or a lettings agency?
• Have you compared the rent of this property with others you have seen, and with other friends’ rents? 
• Is your landlord asking for a deposit? 
• Have you got a copy of the contract? Take it along to your students’ union before signing it.
• If there are current tenants in the house when you visit, discreetly ask them what they think of the house and of the landlord.

Remember: don’t let a landlord panic you into signing up for the first house you see. It’s worth seeing as many as you can to get an idea of what’s out there. Find out if your students’ union provides information or events to help with house hunting, as this will prove invaluable.