Moving house is known to be one of the most stressful life events. When you also have young children who need your attention it’s easy to get distracted. Meaning you could rush into a making decision which might not be the best for you and your family. If you are moving into a rental property, we are looking at What To Look for When Moving With A Family.
Table of Contents
Alarms
It is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the UK to have a fire alarm. Be sure to check where any alarms are located and don’t be afraid to test them. The safety of your family is at stake, after all! If you are moving into a property with a solid fuel burning appliance. A CO2 alarm must be installed in that room. It is a good idea to change the batteries when you move in.
Electrical Safety Certificates
In 2021 it became a legal requirement for all rental properties to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Also known as an electrical test certificate. This should have been carried out within the last five years. Although most landlords are compliant, some may try to avoid the EICR cost – this is not acceptable nor legal. Ask for a copy of the EICR certificate and if your landlord is not forthcoming, step away. The cost of an EICR certificate should be covered by your rent and helps safeguard against potentially dangerous situations such as electrical fires. An EICR certificate cost is a small price for a landlord to pay to protect their tenants.
Gas Safety Certificates
As well as electrical safety certificates, landlords are required to provide tenants with a gas safety record for the property you are renting. This should contain completed gas safety checks, which must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer each year.
Stair Gates
If you have toddlers or young children, stairs can be a hazard. Ask whether you can fix a stair gate to the wall before moving in if that is something you need. Some landlords may say no – this doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. Pressure fitted stair gates are a readily available alternative.
Check for Damp
With damp leading to mould — which can cause respiratory problems, general health issues and can even prove fatal — it is prudent to check for damp when viewing a property. Damp is common in cellars and basements and also areas such as bathrooms and airing cupboards which may have been exposed to condensation. Tell tale signs of damp in a property include a musty smell, peeling paint or wallpaper and spongy floorboards, a well as speckled black mould or discolouration on walls, floors or ceilings.  In such cases, hiring damp proofing experts can ensure a thorough assessment and effective treatment to mitigate these issues.
Keeping your family safe is your number one priority and by carrying out these simple checks when you move you are ensuring your new home will be a happy one for many years to come.
We are lucky to have never had to rent. My in laws took us in when we were making the decision to purchase our house. But I have heard so many horror stories about renting, especially damp. But I think this is a great checklist to have for anyone renting or planning to become a landlord
If you have decent landlords renting is no problem, but sadly some are not so decent
I think landlords are charging way too much for rent in some areas of the country
They are I totally agree it scares me
I can’t believe how expensive some rental properties are each month. It must be even harder to find a suitable one if you have small children
I know it is very scary, I was talking about this with a friend recently
thanks for the reminders – my neice is in the process of moving – will come in handy
It is always handy to have a list when moving
Lots of great tips – damp is a big one – can cause so much issues!
Damp is a nighmare, just been dealing with this with my daughter in law