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Home > Choosing a Property in London Choosing a Property in London
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for more information: Location London is one of the most exciting places to live in the world. The city is one of the largest conurbations in the world and is made up of a patchwork of towns and villages which have merged to make up one big city. Many of these areas still have their own distinct feel and personality. Whilst some areas are busy 24 hours a day others are more sedate neighbourhoods with a village feel. These are better for transport links, ideal for the commute to the city and travel around town, whilst others are more isolated. Some areas are better for schools, some are good for jobs and others are great for nightlife. Some of the nicest boroughs of London in all aspects include Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, the City of London and Camden. You may find the most amazing house in the world but if you don’t have a car and have to walk 3 miles to the bus stop each morning there is little point. It is a good idea to arrive at any house half-an-hour early, to ensure you have time to look around the area and to check out where the nearest facilities are. The choice of location will vary from person to person everyone has their own particular tastes and needs. But there are some factors that many people consider to be important when selecting a area, which may help you target your search, such as:
The next thing to check off on your list is probably the price. Location is a factor in this, as you will find that the kind of house you can afford in a nicer area will be basic compared to what you can afford in a slightly more unsavoury area. There are bargains to be found but you will need to be prepared to look around. It is definitely worth stretching your budget for a nicer area. Selecting the right letting or estate agent is an important part of the property finding process and should not be taken lightly. Working with the right agent can make all the difference in finding the right property at the right price and negotiating a satisfactory final sales or lettings agreement. Ensure when choosing an agent that they are a member of a professional organisation such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveys (RICS). All are bound by a code of practice, which is a guarantee of professional, efficient service. Members of ARLA (The Association of Residential Letting Agents) are thoroughly vetted and must abide by stringent rules with regard to clients money. Compile a list of questions for each property you view covering both the location and the property itself. After each viewing, write down both the positive and the negative aspects of each property and compare each one. Use the following general questions as a guide.
When you have seen a property advertised, make an appointment to view a property as soon as possible. Whilst viewing the property take a good, clear and considered look. It will always be helpful to you to make notes on what you find. Remember, when viewing properties, if possible do not go alone or always make sure someone knows where you are going and when. The following are some important things you should reasonably check and/ or enquire about them: Does the property look to be in good repair? A badly maintained property can highlight an elusive landlord and potential future problems. If the property is in a poor condition but you are still interested in renting it, use its faults to negotiate a lower rent. Electricity – it is advisable to check the age, condition and number of sockets and the condition of any visible wiring and appliances. Will the property be cheap to heat and light? Gas Supply and Appliances - enquire as to whether all appliances (i.e. boiler, gas fires, cooker etc) and supply ducting/ pipework are in good working order and have been checked out for safety by a Corgi registered engineer in the last 12 months? The landlord should have a certificate to prove when these were last checked. Fire Safety & Precautions - does the property have an adequate means of escape in the event of a fire? Is the property fitted with smoke alarms? Water Supply and Sanitation - check that all taps are in working order and that there are no leaks from radiators, pipes, sinks, bath(s) or WC from within the property or any adjacent. Furniture - if the property is furnished, are the furnishings in a reasonable condition? Facilities - is the property fully furnished? What additional facilities are provided for maintenance or living (i.e. are there vacuums, washing machine, fridge provided)? Check for phone lines and available phone jacks for telephone and using the internet. Interior - check the general condition of the interior of the property in all rooms. Are there any signs of obvious potential problems of any kind? Exterior
& Security -check the security of the property and make sure
all windows and doors are in effective, lockable and full working order. When you have found a property that interests you, visit it at least twice at different times of the day and week including rush hour. If possible, try to view the property when it is wet. Properties can look very good in sunshine. It is advisable to find out how long the property has been on the market from the estate agent and always be wary of any property that has been up for sale for longer than two months as this is usually for a good reason. There are a number of questions you need to answer and investigate in more detail before making a qualified decision on the property. A lot of these questions will be answered by your survey if you choose to proceed. Asking them at this stage can save a lot of time and money.
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