Rental Query

[Yannick W.]

Hi everyone,

So this question is coming from a renter's perspective - hoping this is the right place to post. I've been reading around a lot on tenant screening and will eventually be in a position to be a landlord myself (hopefully!) - however, renting is the right option at the moment and I want to ensure that I cover my own back without coming off as over-sensitive or pushy. 

My girlfriend and I are looking to move into a rental apartment next month, and I want to ensure that I tick all the right boxes in the application. I have rented before, but it was during university with a bunch of other people, with the help of a letting agency. As far as I can tell, we meet the criteria provided under the guides listed on BP - but does anyone have any other advice regarding questioning the landlord? Things like utilities are a given, but I want to avoid signing and realizing that I've missed something out, or should have considered something that I didn't. What questions should I be asking when viewing the property?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Nada Mohamed]

Hi Yannick,

Some questions that tenants have asked me:

1. Which utilities are included?

2. Examples of how much they should expect to pay for the different kinds of utilities?

3. What kinds of changes can they make to the property (paint, etc)?

4. What are the general criteria for a tenant?

5. Is tenant responsible for landscaping and/or snow removal?

6. Will Landlord assume responsibility for malfunctioning appliances?

Make sure that anything landlords promise you at the time of signing is in writing somewhere because, in general, whatever is written in the contract holds, anything else promised verbally, generally will not.

Hope that helps!

Goodluck!!

Nada