A landlord's flat always looks its best at the viewing. Your job is to look past the staging and check the things that'll actually affect your daily life — and your deposit.

Run every tap and switch

  • Turn on every tap — check water pressure and how long hot water takes.
  • Flush the toilet, test the shower.
  • Flip every light switch and try a few power sockets.
  • Open and close all windows and doors — look for damp, mould, and drafts.
  • Check mobile signal in each room.

Ask the right questions

  • What's included in rent — water, heating, internet, council tax?
  • How is heating provided, and roughly what do bills run?
  • Who handles repairs, and how fast?
  • What's the deposit, and is it in a protection scheme?
  • What's the notice period and break clause?
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Protect your deposit

Photograph every existing mark, scratch and stain the day you move in, timestamped, and email them to the landlord. This is how you get your deposit back.

Before you sign

Checklist

  • I ran all taps, switches and the shower
  • I checked for damp and mould
  • I know exactly what's included in rent
  • I confirmed the deposit is in a protection scheme
  • I photographed the flat's existing condition
  • I read the full break clause and notice period
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Can you afford it?

Run the numbers first with the Rent Affordability Calculator.