Accommodation Checklist
... CHECK IT TWICE ...You'll thank us afterwards!
When Checking A Place Out
It's easy to feel the pressure when you're trying to find a new place to live... there's so much to remember to check! So here's a handy list of stuff you need to know before you sign a lease or hand over your cash. Take it with you when you're checking a new place out to make sure you don't forget a thing!
- Make sure you bring a friend every time you check a place.
- Ask the landlord for ID.
- Double check the amount of the deposit, the rent in advance, and the rent.
- Security – check all locks, check the alarm, and make sure you know who else has a key.
- Make sure the place is properly ventilated, and that vents, fireplaces or windows aren't blocked.
- Make sure that all appliances are in good working order – the fridge, the freezer, the oven, washing machine, microwave, the phone, and (probably most importantly) the TV.
- Be wary of a strong smell of air freshener – what's that trying to hide? It might be damp, so have a good look inside wardrobes, behind heavy furniture, on ceilings and in corners of rooms.
- Is there hot and cold running water in all taps?
- What kind of heating system is there? Oil, gas, electric... none?
- What bills are you going to have to pay on top of your rent? Heating, electricity, phone, internet, cable TV, bin charges?
- If there is anything wrong with the property, ask the landlord if they intend to fix it, and if so, when.
- Always think of your safety. New buildings are obliged to have smoke alarms, fire blankets, fire escapes and the like, but they are only recommended in older buildings. Make sure the landlord will provide all necessary safety equipment.
When You've Moved In
- If your landlord asks you to sign a lease, make sure you read it carefully before you do. A lease is a legally binding document, so once you've signed it, you're agreeing to abide by it! If you're in any doubt, drop into your local SU office for a second opinion.
- A landlord is not legally obliged to give you a lease, but he or she does have to give you a rent book! You can pick up a free USI rentbook in your Union office. Make sure the landlord fills this in every time you pay your rent.
- Get a receipt every time you hand over money – whether it's your deposit, rent in advance, or your regular monthly rent – to your landlord. Don't pay by cash if at all possible – write a cheque, or get a bank draft. Pay your monthly rent into the landlord's bank account, if you can. These measures will all show that you paid everthing on time, in the (hopefully unlikely) event of any dispute.
- Make a list of everything that's in the place when you move in, and note what condition the stuff is in. Ask your landlord to sign it, and keep it with your lease or rent book. Take photos of everything too, and then again when you move out – this way, you have proof that you kept the place in good condition.
- If something does need to be repaired while you're living there, let your landlord know right away. He or she is obliged to fix it, or get someone to do it for them, but they can't repair something they don't know isn't working!
- Get separate insurance for your belongings, especially if you have stuff of significant monetary value. Your landlord's insurance will not cover any of your things in the event of damage or theft.
- It's really worth repeating... get receipts for every penny you hand over to your landlord! In fact, leave a paper trail of all your dealings with the landlord. If you have to make a complaint, do it in writing, and keep a copy. If you make any further agreements with the landlord, keep a copy of that too. And when you decide to leave, hand in your notice in writing. All of this will support your case if the event of any dispute.
- Try to minimise the chance of there being any dispute with the landlord by being a decent tenant. Clean up your mess, and be conscious of the other people living in your apartment or building. You wouldn't want to listen to Britney blaring at all hours of the day and night, and even though your taste in music is much better, your neighbours don't want to listen to your stuff either.
- If any problems arise with your place or your landlord, or even if you just have a question or two, give us a shout at the Union, or at Threshold (Tel: 6786096). We're all super helpful folks.
