Questions to ask when viewing a rental property

There’s a lot to think about when you’re choosing a place to rent, so don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions before you decide. In this guide, we look at what to ask when viewing a flat or house to rent. Renting rules differ across the UK.

Key takeaways

  • Before you commit to renting a house or flat, you will normally be able to visit the property for a viewing. This is a good opportunity to ask questions.
  • You might ask about who manages the property, your responsibilities as a renter and things like the furniture, bills and neighbours.
  • Viewing a house or flat also gives you a chance to check the property for damage and other issues that may affect your decision to rent.

What questions should I ask at a viewing?

Renting can be a big commitment, so it helps to know as much as possible about what living in a property will be like before you sign. Viewing a house or flat before renting can be a great way to take a closer look.

Let’s look at some must-ask questions when viewing a house or flat to rent:

  1. What furniture is included?
  2. What bills will I be responsible for?
  3. What’s the process for repairs and maintenance?
  4. Who manages the property?
  5. Can I redecorate or have pets?
  6. What are the responsibilities of the tenant and landlord?
  7. What's the local area like?

1. What furniture is included?

Most rental listings will say whether the property comes ‘furnished’ or ‘unfurnished’, but it may not always be clear what this means.

It’s a good idea to get a written list of what’s included. Knowing if you need to buy anything new is helpful for budgeting and deciding whether you can afford to go ahead with renting the property.

Questions you might want to ask when viewing a house or flat to rent include:

  • Are the cooker and fridge included?
  • Is there a washing machine or dishwasher?
  • Will I need to have my own small appliances like a kettle, toaster, iron and vacuum cleaner?
  • Does the kitchen come with cookware, plates and cutlery?
  • Are there beds in every room?
  • How many tables and chairs are there?

And if the current tenant is still there, you could ask them what they’ll be taking with them when they move out.

2. What bills will I be responsible for?

When you’re renting, you may find yourself responsible for all of the bills, some of the bills or none of the bills – so this is an important question to ask.

Normally it will be written into the rental agreement. But whatever the arrangement, it can help to get a better understanding of what bills there are and how they might compare to other properties.

Questions you can ask when viewing a rental property.

  • How is the property heated and who supplies the energy?
  • Can I switch suppliers?
  • How much are the bills usually?
  • What’s the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?
  • Is there are water meter fitted? Can I get one fitted?
  • What council tax band is the property in?

If the landlord’s responsible for some or all of the bills, you might also ask them to confirm exactly what they’ll be covering and how much they’ll charge in your rent to meet the cost.

3. What’s the process for repairs and maintenance?

Normally, the landlord will be responsible for general maintenance and repairs, with any costs covered by your rent. But it’ll usually be up to you to let them know if something goes wrong.

When you’re at a viewing, you can ask questions like:

  • Who should I contact when something’s broken?
  • Is there anything I’m expected to deal with or fix myself?
  • Will I need to pay for any damage caused by me or my guests?

You can also use the viewing to ask questions about the condition of the house or flat before renting. For example:

  • Are there any structural issues?
  • Is everything in good working order?
  • How old is the boiler and when was it last serviced?

If necessary, you could ask for repairs to be carried out before you move in. You might also want to take pictures, just in case you later need proof that an issue existed before you moved in.

4. Who manages the property?

When you’re viewing a house or flat, it’s good to ask who manages the property. Whoever it is will usually be your main point of contact – potentially dealing with everything from collecting the rent to organising repairs.

Often the landlord will manage everything about the property directly themselves. But they might also appoint a letting agent or specialist property management company to do some or all of the work on their behalf.

During the viewing, you can ask questions like:

  • Who do I pay the rent to?
  • Who do I contact in an emergency?
  • What if I have a question about the property?
  • Will I have a single point of contact or a few?

5. Can I redecorate or have pets?

Some landlords might let you decorate, but others won’t and there are often limits to the kind of changes you can make. You can ask about this when viewing the property – and make sure you’re comfortable with the décor if you can’t change it.

Questions you might want to ask at the viewing include:

  • Can I paint the walls?
  • Is it okay to hang pictures?
  • Can I replace any of the furniture?

Most rental listings will say whether pets are allowed, but you should check anyway.

If you have a pet, ask about this before agreeing to rent the property. In England, tenants can request permission to keep a pet and a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse, although reasonable conditions may apply.

6. What are the responsibilities of the tenant and landlord?

Most formal responsibilities – such as how much rent to pay and when – should be in the tenancy agreement. But when you’re at a flat or house viewing, it can help to ask questions about who’s responsible for what.

For example, who’s responsible for:

  • making sure the property’s safe and secure?
  • organising maintenance and repairs?
  • paying the bills and council tax?
  • pest control?

You can also check things like:

  • what each party needs to do if something goes wrong
  • what to do in an emergency
  • when the landlord can enter the property
  • how you should communicate with each other.

7. What's the local area like?

If the current tenants are there for the viewing, they may be able to tell you more about what it’s like to live in the property and the local area.

You could ask:

  • Is the area generally quiet or busy?
  • Is there much noise from neighbouring properties?
  • What’s the street like at different times of day?
  • Are there any local amenities they find particularly useful?

It can also be helpful to visit the area at different times of the day or week. This can give you a better idea of what it might be like to live there.

You might want to consider:

  • How busy is the street and surrounding area?
  • What’s the traffic like?
  • What local shops, transport links and facilities are nearby?
  • Does the area feel different in the evening or at the weekend?

You can use the neighbourhood guide to search for a location and find out what you want to know about the local area.

 

Extra questions to ask at a viewing

Other questions you might ask at a viewing will depend a lot on what’s important to you. But there are various things you might want to confirm or clarify before deciding to rent. For example:

  • Where are the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector?
  • When were the last gas and electricity safety checks carried out?
  • What’s the fire safety plan?
  • How good is the internet connection in the area?
  • Will the property be cleaned before I move in?
  • Is there any loft space or secure storage I can use?
  • What are the arrangements for bins and recycling?
  • Is there any parking?
  • Are there any shared spaces like driveways or gardens?

When you’re at the viewing, you can also keep an eye out for signs of damp and mould as well as pests and vermin. And if you notice any rooms or cupboards that are locked during the viewing, ask what they’re used for and whether you’ll have access to them once you start renting.

You could also check things like the water pressure, heating and broadband availability.

Will your next home be your own?

If buying a home could be part of your future plans, our first-time buyer guides can help you understand the steps involved.

Guides to buying a home

Let’s look at the details

  • A landlord or letting agent may carry out affordability, identity and rental-history checks before agreeing to let the property. Problems can arise if information is incomplete, cannot be verified or does not meet their stated criteria.

  • Yes, it’s generally okay to look inside built-in storage cupboards like kitchen cabinets during a viewing, but it’s a good idea to ask first. If the current renter is still living in the house, you should avoid opening drawers and free-standing wardrobes – and try not to disturb or damage their personal possessions.

  • It’s a good idea to have a written list of any questions you want to ask at the viewing – just in case you forget something. A tape measure can also be useful, along with a notebook and pen to write down anything you see or find out while it’s fresh in the mind. You might also want to take a friend with you. And don’t forget your smartphone – it’ll be helpful for taking photos and videos, and for checking the strength of the mobile signal.

  • If, after you’ve viewed the property, you’d like to go ahead, you’ll need to contact the landlord or letting agent to let them know you’re interested. At this point you can raise any minor issues you noticed at the viewing and ask for them to be fixed. If the landlord is happy to proceed, they may ask for a holding deposit – this will reserve the property while you go through affordability and reference checks.

  • Some things to keep an eye – or nose – out for:

    • Strange smells.
    • Signs of mould or damp.
    • Evidence of pests or vermin.
    • Structural damage.
    • Old or unsafe looking wiring.
    • Rubbish or clutter in outside spaces.
    • Noise from the street or the neighbours.

    And if the landlord or letting agent seem like they’re being evasive when you ask them questions, you might want to ask yourself why.

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Important legal information

Lloyds and Lloyds Bank are trading names of Lloyds Bank plc. Registered office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales No. 2065. Lloyds Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 119278.