What to check at a rental inspection (and what to ask the agent)
You get fifteen minutes to decide whether to live somewhere for a year or more. Here is how to use them well.
RentBuy Team
3 min read
Rental inspections are short, often crowded and usually on a Saturday when you have three others to get to. It is easy to walk through, like the light in the living room and apply on the spot. Ten minutes of method will save you a lot of grief after you move in.
Before you go
Read the listing properly. Note the available date, the lease length, whether pets are allowed and whether the home comes with things like a dishwasher or air conditioning. Look at the floor plan if there is one. Check where the nearest train, bus or tram stop is and what the walk is like at night.
In the home
Run the taps and check the water pressure in the shower. Open the windows to see whether they actually open and lock. Look inside the wardrobes and under the sink for signs of damp or mould. Check that there are enough power points in the rooms where you will use them. Flush the toilet. Turn on the lights.
Look at the things that are hard to change: how much natural light there is at this time of day, how noisy the street is, whether the neighbouring balcony looks straight into your bedroom, and how far the carpark or letterbox is from the front door.
Questions for the agent
- How long was the previous tenant here, and why did they leave?
- Is the rent likely to change at the end of the first lease?
- Who manages repairs, and how quickly are urgent ones handled?
- Are there any planned works to the building or the street?
- What is included: water, internet, strata facilities, parking?
- Can I see the condition report from the last tenancy?
The answers matter less than how they are given. A manager who knows the property and answers directly is likely to be the same when the hot water fails in July.
After the inspection
If you want the home, apply the same day and say so to the agent as you leave. If you are unsure, ask whether there is another inspection that week. Take a few photos while you are there so you can compare homes later, and keep a note of the questions you did not get to ask so you can email them that afternoon.
