See our advice for what to look out for when viewing a property and the right questions to ask.
Tips for finding the right home with housemates
If you’re sharing with housemates, try to see the property together. This will help ensure you choose a place you’d all like to live.
You should also:
- view at least three properties in different areas of the city. This way you’ll get a better idea of what’s on the market to suit your budget
- research transport links, proximity to shops and if you will be able to easily access them
- ask the current tenants questions about what it has been like living there, and take your time looking around the property
- check the condition of the property from the outside including the garden, pathways, windows, doors and the roof
- inspect the inside of the property including the decoration, flooring and furniture
- ask the landlord or letting agent what appliances are included, and check that there is enough cupboard, fridge and freezer space for everyone
- ask your landlords to show you any relevant safety certificates
- check that the property has a communal living room, and that this is not a conservatory
- ensure there is safety equipment within the property such as fire alarms, fire blankets, fire doors and carbon monoxide detectors
- make sure the property is secure by checking doors and locks
- visit the property at night as well as during the day to be sure the area feels safe
- enquire if there are any planned building or renovation works to the property before you move in.
Important: You should never be asked to pay money to view a property.
Download our viewing checklist
You can download and print our viewing checklist [PDF 89KB] and take it with you to your property viewing.
Tips for finding a home for students with dependents
When searching for family accommodation, there are additional things to look out for and questions you may wish to ask when viewing a property.
These include:
- finding out if there are enough bedrooms for your family size (although your family may be happy to share a bedroom space, or use a living room space as a bedroom, there are guidelines that landlords in the UK must follow to prevent overcrowding in properties)
- checking there is enough room for two beds or bunkbeds if your children will be sharing a bedroom
- investigating how far the nearest schools and/or nurseries are and if there’s a place available for your child
- checking the nearest public transport links
- finding out if there is outside space in the property or nearby for your children to play safely
- asking if the property is non-furnished, fully furnished or part-furnished (if additional furniture is required, this will need to be considered in budgeting)
- using the viewing as an opportunity to ask the landlord/letting agent what their policies are regarding international renters – what proof of income will they need from you, do they accept guarantor schemes and will they require more than one month of rent in advance.
Living costs
Living costs can vary depending on the area you live in and how many people share the property. See our living costs table to get an idea of how much money you may need to budget.