It is true that the investment required in renting a house is nothing when compared to the kind of money required in purchasing a home. Even then, the prospect of losing a good portion of money given as security deposit while renting can hurt a tenant considerably. We do hear reports about unscrupulous landlords chipping away security deposits without any sound rationale and even making a tenant to cough up more money at the time of vacating the home.
Walk-Through Helps
Walk-through on a rental home is very important on two occasions. One will be before moving in and second one during shifting out.
Move-in inspection
This ensures that a tenant will not be accountable for the damages caused by previous tenants. For that the new prospective tenant must undertake a thorough walk through ensuring noting is left unchecked.
- Enter each room
- Check from the floor to the ceiling
- Check the windows and doors for their working condition
- Look for signs of pest infestations, cockroaches or rodent droppings
Record your observations during the walk-through in a handy checklist. Have a camera, still or video to record the apparent damages. Insist the landlord to accompany you on the walk-through and get his initials next to indications of damage in the list.
Taking Flats on Rent
When it comes to a landlord who is reluctant to refund the security deposit in full or is enforcing improper deduction from the security fund, settle matters with the landlord or his agent by talking one to one.
This must be done within the time limit in the lease form which is about three weeks from vacating the property. The dispute can also be mediated. No landlord has the right to deduct security deposit for normal wear and tear of the rented property.
Walk-Through Checklist
This checklist can be handy for a rapid cross check of the rental property you are planning to move in.
- Living Room
- Flooring
- Walls, ceilings and baseboards
- Light fixtures
- Ceiling fan
- Window coverings
- Windows-glass, locks and screens
- Heater vents/registers
- Fireplace
- Smoke detector
- Dining Room
- Kitchen
- Cabinets, inside and out
- Drawers
- Counters
- Stove and oven
- Microwave
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Dishwasher
- Garbage disposal
- Sink
- Leakage of water below the sink
- Bathroom
- Toilet
- Exhaust fan
- Inspect for lint or other signs that the dryer is not venting properly
To conclude, the points discussed above will help you a lot in case you are looking for flats to rent in London. There is heavy demand for rental properties in the North West part of London.
