95 Questions To Ask When Renting | Viewing A Rental Property

Looking to rent a property and have a viewing coming up?  Here are 95 questions to ask when renting to help you have a smooth experience. 

It's still extremely important to ask house viewing questions even if you're only renting a property. You should always come prepared with a list of questions to ask, as this can save you a lot of problems further down the line. 

You should ask questions in the following areas: 

Questions to ask before a viewing
General House Issues
Safety questions
Inside of the house 
Household Utilities
Outside of the house
Surrounding Area
Certificates to ask for

We'll also cover why you need to ask these questions and when exactly you should ask them. If you aren't familiar with some the terms used, don't worry! We have a list of definitions at the end of this post. 

This post is all about 95 questions to ask when renting.

Why should you ask these house viewing questions?

The answers to these questions will give you a good sense of whether you want to rent the property or not. They can also help you negotiate with the landlord.

Remember, you don't have to offer the full asking price when it comes to renting. If you get an idea of what issues there are by asking the right questions, you can use this information to justify offering a lower price. 

It will of course also depend on the market at the time and whether there are lots of people interested in the property. If the landlord already has many offers, there may not be much room for negotiation. However, it's still worth having the information to hand in case circumstances change.

When is best to ask these house viewing questions?

You should ask these questions before making an offer, as the answers can significantly influence whether you want to rent the property or not, and the amount you pay. 

Remember, never make any assumptions about anything in the property. Always ask the question ! Let's get to it...

 Questions to ask before viewing a rental property

Knowing the answers to some questions before you go and view a property can save you a lot of time, as you may decide you don't even want to rent the property based on these answers. 

For example, some people don't like renting top floor flats as they can get boiling in summer and freezing in winter. Alternatively, you may not want to rent ground/lower ground flats for security reasons or given these can be more likely to flood.

1. Is it furnished or unfurnished?
2. Is the house/flat in the right area for you?
3. How long is the tenancy for? Will there be an option for a break clause?
4. Does it have the right number of bedrooms/rooms/square footage for you?
5. Is the price range within your budget? (but remember you can negotiate so don't rule something out if it's only slightly over your budget)
6. Is it a top or ground/lower ground flat?

General Issues: Questions To Ask When Renting

General Issues

7. How long has the house been on the market?
8. How long has the previous tenant lived here for?
9. Any problems with the house? Has house insurance ever been declined?
10. Any issues with the landlord previously (ask estate agent if any previous complaints). Is the landlord responsive?

Flooding and pests

11. Any history of flooding?
12. Does the house have damp issues? (check ceilings for damp). This is more likely if a ground floor or lower ground flat
13. Any damp proof course put in and which part of the house?
14. When was this done and is it still within warranty?
15. Any pests (birds, squirrels, wasp nests, mice)?

Disturbance

16. Any issues or disputes with the neighbours?
17. Are the neighbours planning on doing any building work soon?
18. Any loud noises from venues, traffic (train, plane, cars), dogs?
19. Any overpowering smells from nearby restaurants?

Safety Questions To Ask When Renting

Locks and alarms

Internal alarms

Inside the House: Questions To Ask When Renting

Attic

Appliances

Kitchen 

37. Check how many cupboards in the kitchen
38. Check if there is enough space to fit a family-sized fridge/freezer
39. Is there enough space for a dining table?
40. Is there a water softener? If so, how old is it?
41. How many sockets are there? 

Furnishings 

42. Are the curtains being left? (they should be)
43. How many wardrobes are in the bedroom? Are they staying?
44. Will all of your existing furniture fit?

Household Utilities: Questions To Ask When Renting

Signal

45. How good is the Wifi signal throughout the house?
46. Is the TV aerial in the attic or on the roof?
47. Where are the TV aerial sockets and how many are there?
48. Where are the telephone sockets and how many are there?

Heating

49. What type of boiler is it (i.e. pressurised/combi boiler)?
50. How old is the boiler?
51. Where is the timer for hot water and heating?
52. Where is the gas meter and stop valve?

Electrics

53. Where is the electric turn off point?
54. How much are all the utility bills roughly?

Plumbing

Outside the House: Questions To Ask When Renting

Garage

62. Will your car fit in the garage or the parking space?
63. How many power points in the garage?
64. Is there a water tap in the garage?
65. Is there adequate lighting?
66. Is there enough storage space in the garage or throughout the house?

Garage door

67. How old and what type of garage door?
68. Is there any damp in the garage?
69. Are there any garage fobs?

Gates
70. Any gate fobs?

Outside utilities 

71. Is there an external gas point?
72. Are there any outside electric sockets?
73. Is there an outside water tap?
74. Any lighting outside? How many and are they working?
75. Is there a shed that's being left and how old is it?
76. Is there a lock for the shed?

Surrounding Area: Questions To Ask When Renting

Local area

77. Are there hospitals nearby?
78. How many GPs nearby?
79. Is there a local vet for your pet?
80. Is the property near pylons/mobile masts?

Transport Links

81. How far from the station? Are there good transport links in the area?
82. How far to the airport?
83. Are you near main roads?
84. Are there good schools and nurseries nearby?
85. How far from the nearest university?

Services

86. Where is the nearest newsagents? 
87. Where is the nearest big supermarket? 
88. Good local gym?
89. Nearest church?
90. Friendly community in the area?
91. Any local community schemes?

Certificate Questions To Ask When Renting

When renting a home

92. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
93. Electric safety certificate 
94. Gas safety certificate 
95. Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

House Viewing Definitions

A

• Asbestos: A dangerous mineral that can cause health complications. It can be found in houses built before 2000

B

• Boarded attic: Loft boards (wood) are used to make the attic more sturdy, which can make it suitable to use (i.e. for storage) and can improve insulation

C

• Carbon monoxide: a toxic gas found in homes with fuel burning appliances
  
  
• Combi boiler: A boiler that can heat water from the mains directly in the boiler with no need for a storage tank 
  
  

D

• Damp proof course: barrier installed in between walls to reduce damp
  
  
• Deposit: an initial sum of money you pay to secure the property before you sign the contract

E

• Electric cut-off switch: switch that stops the electricity from the mains
  
  
• Electric meter: measures the amount of electricity used and displays an electric reading, which shows the amount
  
  
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): provides a rating on how energy efficient the property is. Rating A- most efficient. Rating G-least efficient

G

• Gas meter: measures the amount of gas used and displays a gas reading, which shows the amount
  
  
• Gas stop valve: A tap which turns off all gas from the mains

M

• Man hole: an opening in the ground that provides access to the pipes

P

• Pressurised central heating system: A boiler is used alongside a hot water cylinder (or tank) to heat water from the mains and store it in the tank ready for use

T

• Tenancy Deposit Scheme certificate: this confirms your deposit is secured by the scheme. Both the tenant and landlord are bound by the rules governing the deposit for the tenancy
  

W

• Water meter: measures the amount of water used, which is displayed as a 'water reading'
  
  
• Water softener: a white box (usually in the kitchen) that softens hard water coming in from the mains. Hard water causes a buildup of limescale inside pipes and appliances
  
  
• Water stop valve: A tap which turns off all water from the mains 

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