Viewing a Property

When house hunting, make sure to never sign a contract before having viewed the property yourself. Take your time and inspect the property systematically.

The following is a guide provided by the Student Support and Service team on what you should be looking at when viewing a house that you can take along with you. In most cases, you will be viewing more than one house per appointment so make sure to take pictures/videos and notes of each house to remember the different properties and to later be able to decide.

Viewing a property checklist

Arrange a viewing during the day in order to have a look at the property from the outside. Prior to the viewing have a walk around the area at different times of the day and make sure you like the atmosphere and feel safe. Visit the area after dark with your housemates to ensure that you feel comfortable in the area at night. This property may be your home for the next 12 months and you need to be safe and secure.

  • Address:  
  • Landlord:  
  • Letting Agency:  
  • Length of Tenancy: 
  • Rent: 
  • Deposit:
  • Is there a garden? Who maintain it? Are tools provided? 
  • Are windows in good condition? 
  • Is the roof in good condition? 
  • Are and slates or chimney pots missing? 
  • Are the gutters free of rubbish and vegetation? 
  • Are the drains clear? 
  • Is any of the woodwork rotting or unsafe? 
  • Are there adequate facilities for refuse disposal and recycling?
  • Are all external doors solid, secure and lockable? 
  • Do all ground floor windows have locks? 
  • Do all rooms have suitable curtains or blinds? 
  • Is there a burglar alarm system? 
  • Are smoke detectors or fire alarms fitted? 
  • Are there any fire extinguishers in the property? 
  • Is there a fire blanket in the kitchen? 
  • Has the house got any fire doors? 
  • Are there means of escape in the event of fire? 
  • Is there a carbon monoxide alarm?
  • Do all rooms have a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and suitable floor coverings? 
  • Is the furniture, including the bed and mattress, in good condition? 
  • Does all the furniture comply with regulations on fire safety? 
  • Which furniture comes with the property, and which belong to the tenants? 
  • Any signs of dampness? Look in and behind the wardrobes.
  • Is there sufficient space to store and prepare food? 
  • Is the fridge large enough for all of you? 
  • Is there enough cupboards for everyone? 
  • Are the cooker, grill and oven in working order? 
  • Are there instructions on how to use the appliances? 
  • Do extractor fans in the kitchen (and bathroom) work?
  • Is there enough furniture for all of you? 
  • Is it in good condition? Does any of it need replacing? 
  • Is there a connection point for internet?
  • Is the bathroom in good condition? 
  • Are there enough bathrooms/toilets? 
  • Is there a shower? 
  • Are there any fittings which drip or any leaks? (Look up and check the ceiling) 
  • Does the hot water get hot enough (does the cold water get cold enough?) 
  • Do all the taps work and do the toilets flush? 
  • Do the sinks drain? 
  • Are there any signs of pests (mouse droppings, slug trails, fleas) in the house?
  • What form of heating does the property have? Check the Energy Performance certificate (electrical heating will be more expensive) 
  • How does the heating operate? 
  • Does the heating cover the whole house, and does it work? 
  • Is the heating system adequate for winter? How much will the heating cost? 
  • Do all the rooms have electrical sockets that work? 
  • Do the electric/gas fires work? 
  • Have you seen the current year’s gas safety certificate? 
  • When were the electrics last safety checked? 
  • Can they evidence this? 
  • Have appliances been Portable Appliance Tested (PAT)?
  • Any additional services provided by the landlord? 
  • If you have a car, are there parking facilities? 
  • Is there an extra cost? 
  • How many spaces are available? 
  • Do you require a permit? 
  • Is there bicycle storage? 
  • How quickly foes the landlord carry out repairs? 
  • Does the landlord enter without permission or is notice given? 
  • Was your deposit protected and were you given the ‘prescribed information’? 
  • General opinions of the landlord/letting agent (agency).

Last updated: 28th September 2023