Moving into new rental apartment

M

MANTO

Registered User
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Hi All,

I am moving into a new rental apartment - this is a first time rental. A friend of mine suggested i do up an inventory of everything in the apt and anything i notice like marks on walls - then send to letting agent - great idea.

Any other advice would be quite welcome, there may be small but obvious things i havent thought of?

Many thanks
 
Make sure you have a contract which protects your tenure. Depending on length of contract, normal wear and tear should be allowable on contents. Check that all services (electricity, gas, waste disposal, TV, phone etc.) have been cleanly terminated by previous tenant.
Do a detailed inventory of everything, including status photos of any damage to walls, flooring, devices etc. Have landlord sign this list - this will reduce the risk of having your deposit kept at end of tenure. Apart from that, maybe ask what the situation is with neighbours. If you don't clear up this stuff before you move in, you won't get the chance afterwards.
 
Eithneangela said:
... Apart from that, maybe ask what the situation is with neighbours...
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What do you mean? "Oh, bye the bye, Janice and Jason next door, are they fairly OK or are they axe-murderers on parole?" or "Any vampires / werewolves living in the loft or are those noises just the plumbing?". :confused:
 
Eithneangela said:
Make sure you have a contract which protects your tenure. Depending on length of contract, normal wear and tear should be allowable on contents. Check that all services (electricity, gas, waste disposal, TV, phone etc.) have been cleanly terminated by previous tenant.
Do a detailed inventory of everything, including status photos of any damage to walls, flooring, devices etc. Have landlord sign this list - this will reduce the risk of having your deposit kept at end of tenure. Apart from that, maybe ask what the situation is with neighbours. If you don't clear up this stuff before you move in, you won't get the chance afterwards.
Click to expand...

Thanks ,

Good advice, I had to laugh @ Math - but he is right, the letting agent is not going to tell you if your neighbour is a 'vampire' :)

Again, getting the LLords signature is very important - the Estate Agents would not suffice, i think?
 
from stories i have heard,your in a win win situation,apparently land lords are powerless if tenants stop paying rent or trash the place,you have him over a barrel,if he with holds the deposit when you want to move,sell everything,whats a female land lord called?
 
sparkeee said:
from stories i have heard,your in a win win situation,apparently land lords are powerless if tenants stop paying rent or trash the place,you have him over a barrel,if he with holds the deposit when you want to move,sell everything,whats a female land lord called?
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Are you advocating theft? The OP has not said they have a problem with the landlord so what are you giving this advice for?
 
sparkeee said:
from stories i have heard,your in a win win situation,apparently land lords are powerless if tenants stop paying rent or trash the place,you have him over a barrel,if he with holds the deposit when you want to move,sell everything,whats a female land lord called?
Click to expand...

Now that road i will not be going down, i respect other peoples property and at the end of the day it will be my home so i will be treating it as such.

I would not be giving the Llord / lady a reason to hold on to my deposit, thats why i will be taking previous advice of taking pictures as i just dont want to be accused of causing damage that was there before i moved in :)
 
Be aware your own property is not covered by the LL's insurance - you can take out insurance for contents only. It's amazing how renters often think they don't really have anything of value but laptop, phone, TV, DVD, clothes, toiletries etc - quickly add up to a few grand.

Make sure the LL shows you how to use the heating, washing machine etc. If you misuse them, you'd be responsible for replacing. Also, nothing worse than the first cold snap of the year & not knowing how to use the heating.
 
Bronte said:
Are you advocating theft? The OP has not said they have a problem with the landlord so what are you giving this advice for?
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i think the op is anticipating a possible problem with the landlord,why take pics and inventory?
 
sparkeee said:
i think the op is anticipating a possible problem with the landlord,why take pics and inventory?
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My take was that the OP was a diligent renter and probably a careful one too. Taking pictures is a great idea then both sides know where they are at. I take pictures too and give a copy to the tenants, including inside the fridge and oven, around the baths and down the toilet bowl !
 
Bronte said:
My take was that the OP was a diligent renter and probably a careful one too. Taking pictures is a great idea then both sides know where they are at. I take pictures too and give a copy to the tenants, including inside the fridge and oven, around the baths and down the toilet bowl !
Click to expand...

I agree Bronte,

At the end of the day it is both parties interest to start off on a good foot - whether you are a tenant or llord/lady the fact of the matter is you do not know the other party.

What is wrong with both parties protecting their interests? I have read horror stories on AAM posted by Llords/ladys and also read horror posts by tenants.

But on another note, i am getting the keys to the apt on thursday, the letting agent advised the apt was being repainted yesterday, the cleaners are in today and the carpets being done tomorrow which is fantastic considering the apt was spotless when i viewed it originaly.

So looking forward to my new move and new beginning :)
 
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