Complete one of our checklists for each flat that you view to help you check that you’ve asked all the important questions before signing a tenancy agreement. Address of flat .............................................................................................................................................. Landlord/Letting Agency ............................................................................................................................... Rent £......................... Deposit £..................... CHECK THE LOCATION Are you all happy with the location and the distance from university /workplaces? Yes / No Are there good bus links? Yes / No Are there shops nearby? Yes / No Is the area well-lit? Will you feel safe walking home late at night? Yes / No

CHECK THE FLAT Get a flat viewing and check the condition of the flat. Does the rent seem reasonable? Yes / No (For further information on estimated costs of living see ed.ac.uk/studying/international/finance/cost-of-living) What is the energy efficiency rating of the flat? A / B / C / D / E What kind of heating system does it have? Gas / Electric •Who supplies the Gas? ............................................ •Electricity? .............................................................. •Telephone/TV/Internet? .......................................... Is there heating in all the rooms? Yes / No Does it seem warm enough? Yes / No Is it double glazed? Yes / No Are all windows well sealed with no drafts? Yes / No Is the property free from mould or damp? Yes / No (Make sure you can’t smell damp, it can be hard to fix and may have been painted over.) Are external doors and windows lockable and secure?

Yes / No (This is especially important for accessible ground floor windows)

Flat hunting checklist

CHECK WITH CURRENT TENANTS If the current tenants are there when you have your viewing you can ask them questions. How much do you pay for bills?

£.............weekly/monthly/other Have all problems with the flat/any repairs been fixed/completed? Yes / No Has your landlord fixed problems in a timely fashion?

Yes / No Was the property clean and ready for you to move into? Yes / No Do you feel safe in the property/area? Yes / No Have you got quiet/considerate neighbours? Yes / No Have you provided your landlord with written notice of your chosen move-out date? Have all tenants agreed this date? Yes/No CHECK YOUR LETTING AGENT / LANDLORD Is your landlord registered with Landlord Registration Scotland? Yes / No landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk Is your Letting Agent Registered? Yes / No lettingagentregistration.gov.scot If there are three or more people in the flat, your landlord is likely to need an HMO licence. Do they have one? Yes / No Are they just charging you rent or rent and a refundable deposit? Yes / No (Fees charged for activities related to starting or renewing a tenancy are illegal in Scotland) Will they pay your deposit into a tenancy deposit scheme? Yes / No (Most landlords are required to do so, contact the Advice Place if you’re not sure)

CHECK YOUR LEASE Read the lease. Are you happy with it? Yes / No If anything is unfair or unclear come to the Advice Place to have it checked for free. Sign and date every page and do not return it to the landlord without keeping a copy for yourself. Do you need to provide details of a UK-based guarantor? Yes/ No Further information on guarantors can be found on the Advice Place website.