Viewing

Eight things, in this order

1. 01What is not included in the rentService charges, heating, utilities

   Ask for the monthly amount and what it consists of. A base rent of 1,250 with 180 in service charges is a rent of 1,430, and that is a different conversation with the bank.

2. 02Glazing, boiler and labelSingle glazing or a fifteen-year-old boiler

   Tap the window and check the year on the boiler. The energy label is often in the fuse cupboard. This is the difference between 90 and 220 euros a month.

3. 03Damp, in the corners and behind the cupboardMould behind the washing machine

   Look in the corners of the bathroom, behind the washing machine connection and under the window sills. Smell it too: fresh paint on one wall usually has a reason.

4. 04Be quiet for a momentThe neighbours, the traffic and the lift

   Ask the agent for thirty seconds of silence and listen. Neighbours, trams, roof work, the lift next to the bedroom. You will never hear any of that in the photos.

5. 05Taps on, flush the toiletWater pressure and drainage

   Run the shower and the kitchen tap at the same time. Low pressure and slow drainage are daily annoyances and rarely fixed quickly.

6. 06Open the fuse cupboardCircuits and residual current device

   How many circuits, is there a residual current device, and is there a separate circuit for the kitchen. With an old box the washing machine ends up sharing a circuit with the oven.

7. 07Photos of every existing bit of damageYour deposit

   Every scratch, stain and crack, with the date on it. This is the same work as the inventory report at signing, and right now you have nothing to lose by doing it.

8. 08Ask when you will hearA week of not knowing

   And how many other people are still coming to view. An agent who will not answer that is telling you something too.