Check the Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs)

EPCs'  explain how energy efficient a property is. This is important as the more energy efficient a home, the lower your electricity and gas bills will be. A brand new home will have an 'A' 'rating and the average home in the UK has a 'D' rating, so try to find rented properties with an EPC that shows a rating somewhere between 'A' and 'D'.

Click here for more information

Ask to see essential Safety Certificates

Legally, if there is gas in the property, for example a boiler, then the landlord must have a Gas Safety Certificate which needs to be updated annually. They also need to either have an Electrical Safety Certificate, or certify that the electrics and appliances are safe to use.

Is the property legally let?

Try not to fall in love with a property before you've checked that you can live in it safely (for example, you've seen gas and electrical safety checks). With repossessions on the rise, check that the landlord or letting agent you are dealing with has the approval of their mortgage lender to let the property, otherwise if they miss any mortgage payments and the lender repossesses, you might lose your home through no fault of your own!

Who will independently protect your deposit?

From April 1st 2007, by law, all deposit monies taken from tenants must be protected in an approved government scheme. Make sure you ask the landlord or letting agent which scheme they use and which of the three approved companies administers it before visiting any properties.

Click here for more information

Can you afford the all the costs?

When you want to rent a property, you will incur two costs upfront. Firstly, the cost to rent the property, such as paying the landlord or letting agent an application fee which includes a credit and reference check. Your next big cost will be to pay a deposit in advance, which is normally four to six weeks rent. So, if the rent is £1,000 per month, the deposit will be between £1,000 to £1,500 AND you will have to pay the first month's rent upfront on top!

Secondly, you will incur your rental costs, typically the utility bills, contents insurance and council tax. Sometimes you will pay the water rates and other times the landlord will pay these. Make sure you know exactly what you are responsible for and what your landlord will pay. Ensure you can afford both the cost to rent the property and the running costs before you agree to rent.

Check your contract before you sign

It is hard to take time out to read the small print when all you want to do is move into a new home. It is however essential that you understand the contract you are signing. It should be written in plain English and make sense, so If you don't understand any paragraphs, then either ask the letting agent or landlord to explain it or pay for a solicitor who has experience of lettings contracts.

Be clear about your rights

Your contract will set out your rights to live in the property in return for the landlord receiving rent on an agreed day. You should be allowed to live in the property without being constantly disturbed by the landlord; any repairs should be carried out quickly and by prior appointment. Your personal details should also be protected at all times.

Click here for more information

Know your responsibilities

Your most important responsibility is to pay your rent on time and in full. You must also make sure you take care of the property and report any faults with appliances or problems with fixtures and fittings such as a leak, well before it becomes a major problem.

Keep on the right side of your neighbours

As well as being responsible for the property, you are also likely to have a clause in your tenancy agreement that requires you not to disturb your neighbours. If you are going to be doing anything that might disturb the neighbours, (such as a party) perhaps try to agree what time the noise may start and stop.

Make sure you agree with the inventory

The inventory is normally a twenty to forty page document which clearly states what is in the property and its condition on the day you move in. It covers things like marks on the carpets, a kettle or a glass shelf in the bathroom. Ideally, the inventory will have photos as well as text so there are no arguments about what was/wasn't in the property and its condition.