Checklist before moving in - Private Renters in Camden

Checklist before moving in

Cost 

• How much is the rent?  
• Will you have to pay a deposit? 
• Does the landlord accept housing benefit? 
• Will you get enough housing benefit to cover the rent?  
• How much council tax will you have to pay? 
• What's the average monthly heating bill? 
• Are there any other bills to pay e.g. water? 

Location and transport

• How far away is the property from your place of work or study?  
• How far away is it from family and friends?  
• Are there useful shops close by?  
• Is the property on a bus or train route?  
• If you have special health needs, are there suitable medical facilities practitioners nearby? 
• Are there good nurseries and schools nearby?  
• Is the area well lit?  
• Would you feel safe travelling home at night? 

Safety  

• Is the wiring safe? Check to see if any fittings, plugs, etc, are loose from the wall. 
• Are the electrical appliances safe? Your landlord should get them checked every 12 months. Usually the electrician will put a sticker on the plug of each appliance saying when they were last checked.  
• Is there sufficient ventilation e.g. fan to bathrooms, openable windows to bedrooms and living rooms?  
• Can your landlord show you a valid gas safety certificate (needed every year) and an electrical installation condition report (EICR) (needed every five years) ?  
• Are there working smoke alarms?  
• Is there a fire blanket in the kitchen?  
• Does the furniture comply with safety regulations? Items such as sofas and mattresses should have labels on them to show they pass the regulations.  
• How secure are the locks on the doors and windows?  
• Does the front door have more than a simple ‘yale’ type lock e.g. a dead lock?  
• Is there a spyhole so you can see who's outside?  
• If the property is a flat, does it have an entry phone system? 

Energy efficiency  

• Does the property have an energy performance certificate? 
• What form of heating does the property use? 
• Are the windows single glazed or double glazed, Are they draughty? 

General condition of the property 

• Is it big enough for you and your household?  
• Is there any sign of damp, such as mould on the walls or carpets?  
• Is the property big enough for all your belongings?  
• Where are the gas and electric meters?  
• Do all the lights work?  
• Do the taps work? 
• Does the shower work?  
• How much furniture is provided?  
• What condition is the furniture in?  
• Is there enough storage space?  
• Is there a washing machine?  
• Is a vacuum cleaner provided?  
• Are the curtains and carpets in a reasonable condition?  
• Are any kitchen utensils and pans supplied?  
• Does the cooker work?  
• Does the fridge work? 
• How clean is the kitchen?  
• Are there any internet and TV connections?  
• What is the mobile coverage like inside the property? 

Outside the property  

• Who is responsible for cleaning the communal areas?  
• Is there a back yard or garden?  
• If so, is it secure?  
• Who is responsible for the garden?  
• How is rubbish collected?  
• Is there a wheelie bin or bin house?  
• What's the outside of the building like?  
• Are any of the gutters broken?  
• Do any roof tiles look loose?  
• Is the brickwork crumbling at all? 

The landlord 

• If occupied by more 3 or more sharers, does the property have an HMO licence?  
• Would you feel able to approach the landlord/managing agent if anything went wrong?