A Personal Property Checklist
Write out a personal rental checklist of requirements / desires you're looking for in a new property. This way you can check them off as you go through your properties walkthrough. It is surprisingly easy to forget what you covet in a rental property as you inspect multiple properties with an agent in a single day (for example: storage space, double bedrooms, natural light in the bathroom, car parking space, a kid’s room, a mud room, etc.) Therefore it is strongly recommended you brainstorm and write down specific rental checklist goals to follow up on as your inspect possible future rentals.
Rental Walkthrough Advice
Since many rental properties don’t have floor plans, make a note of the size of the rooms at your current rental property, and bring a tape measure while you're inspecting your new possible rentals. Get out the tape measure, and do a thorough survey of the room sizes while comparing them to the notes you have on your rental checklist plan. Especially when rooms are different shapes to those you currently have, they can seem smaller or larger than they actually are.
Write a list of the dimensions of key furniture you wish to put in your new rental, if you are seeking to rent an unfurnished property it is important to ensure that your furniture will not only fit into your new property, but that you can arrange it in the manner you desire. The sofa, dining table, bed, and wardrobe are just a few examples of furnishings that you may want to bring with you from your old property. When you are going about your rental walkthroughs, measuring how these items fit and visualizing the layout will give you a good sense of proportion, and space, if you were to choose this particular rental. This helps you avoid being tricked into thinking a room is large just because it is very bright, or square in shape, but without any furniture.
A tip that many prospective rental property buyers use is bringing a compass along during their property walkthroughs. This way, prospective tenants know how much sunlight they will get. It’s a good idea to add this to your rental checklist in case you cannot decide between two properties. Keep in mind, all the minor details add up, and can make the difference in your final decision! Remember to bring a measuring tape! : )
Why a personal rental checklist is important...
Should you be looking at a furnished property, still bring the measurements of furniture from your current property rental with you. Perhaps this will even cause you to reexamine your rental checklist priorities. Why? Well, if the wardrobe is smaller at the new property – will all your clothes fit... If the sofa isn’t as wide, will it be as comfortable? All new tenants enjoy some feeling of familiarity, and like to compare our new property to what we had – don’t move in and then find out all the furniture in your new rental is smaller (a common trick to make homes look bigger). By heeding this rental advice, tenants should prevent themselves from eventually falling into buyers’ remorse, and will have an idea of what to look for throughout the rental walkthroughs and the rigorous process of renting a new property in today’s market.
Below are some good areas to start thinking about as you come up with your own rental checklist. This advice comes from years of personal renting and property inspection experience. They are very broad ideas, however, and you should mold the property checklist advice below according to how you want your own priorities managed!
Are smoke detectors or fire alarms fitted? Do they work?
In the event of fire in the main access passageways of the property, could you get out of the property easily? Is there a safety blanket and fire extinguisher within the property?
Gas and electricity – is everything checked and tested? Ask to see a copy of the safety record for the gas appliances – all the gas appliances in the property should be listed.
Is there a burglar alarm?
Are there carbon monoxide detectors present?
Call the local police, it is a good idea to check with them for an honest report on the local area’s crime. If you have kids, make sure to ask about sex offenders and other relevant perpetrators that may be in the area of your rental property!
Location, Location, Location!
Is the area right for you?
Is transport easily available? What is the area like? Are your preferred amenities and transport links within easy reach?
Are there shops and services nearby?
Do you have names, addresses and contact telephone numbers? Don’t sign a contract without this information on it!
The Inside of the Property
Is it in good condition? Importantly, do repairs need to be carried out?
Are there any broken items of furniture that would hint towards there being covered up damage within the property?
Is there central heating? --Ask to view a copy of the property certificates. These include the energy performance ratings and gas and electrical safety certificates. The better the rating, the lower your utility bills are likely to be. This could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Kitchen – Is there a full size fridge freezer or just a small half unit? Is there a dishwasher and microwave? Is cupboard space sufficient? Does the oven work? If the oven / stove is a gas utility, does the thermostat work? Be aware of a boiler hiding in a cupboard. Are there enough kitchen cupboards and work surfaces? Are pots, pans, and kitchen equipment in good enough condition to use and are they supplied with your rental?
Bathroom - How much storage space is there? Are the sealants around the bath and shower intact? Is there a power shower. If there is, and it uses a pump, turn the pump on and turn the shower on – will it make too much noise early in the morning or late at night when others are sleeping (the pump is usually near the water tank so the noise will be loudest there – often this is located near a bedroom).
Storage space - Is there enough space to store all your clothes, valuables, and junk? Is there room to install cupboards and wardrobes if there is not enough adequate room already in place. This should include a storage cupboard for the ironing board and vacuum cleaner, space for winter coats, shoe storage near the entrance door, and storage space for strollers, bikes, and kids’ toys.
Does it have broadband or wi-fi? Is there any sign of dodgy wiring, loose wires or faulty plugs or lights? Do the electric/gas fireplace work to your liking? Ensure you have read your gas and electricity meters immediately after you have taken responsibility for the property, and keep a note of the readings in a safe place.
Outside the Property – Just as Important as Inside!
Parking Is there off-street parking. If it’s parking lot, are you guaranteed a space or is first-come, first-served? If you have to park on the street, are there enough free spaces, or will you have to drive around for 10 minutes every time you want to park after the commute home?
-- Can you see any ‘wet patches’ or discolored paint or brick – signs of a leak or mold infestation. If there are patches of new paint, this could be hiding locations where those are present. Look in garages and any areas only accessed from outside the property (side passages, sheds). Be thorough with this as often inspectors or agents will not thoroughly investigate rental properties.
-- Do the front and back gardens slope towards the house (potential for flooding after heavy rain), or away from it. For flats this is also very important for ground floor and basement properties! Is the rental property at the bottom of a hill or at the lowest point on the road – again a likely flood risk. If there is permanent water in the local area – a river, lake, even streams or large ponds- this can increase contents insurance premiums as your flood risk is deemed higher.
-- Are gardens, walls, fences and boundaries well maintained? Will they be under your responsibility during the tenancy? In general, does the outside of the property appear to be in good condition?
