Before you go ahead and sign the lease to move into a new home or apartment, you need to make sure that you thoroughly inspect the place first. There’s not a lot of point in going ahead and booking your Melbourne moving company only to arrive at your new rental and discover too late that there are issues at the property.
Here’s what you should check before signing on the dotted line!
What to Inspect in Your New Rental
Pests
Once pests make their way into a dwelling, it can be incredibly difficult to permanently get rid of them. If there is a pest issue in your new rental, you will want to know before you commit to it. Ask the letting agent if there is currently, or has ever been, an issue with pests such as rats, cockroaches, or ants.
Having these types of pests in your home is not only disgusting but actually unsanitary, as they can leave behind droppings that can make you sick if you accidentally touch them. Don’t just rely on the information the letting agent gives you as they may not know all the facts – check inside and on top of cabinets to see if there are any traces of faeces. You could also check the skirting boards and walls for any holes that these pests may use to get into the house.
Whiteware
If your new rental comes with whiteware already installed as part of the price of rent, you will need to make sure that these appliances are working correctly. This is something that people often overlook when they inspect the property, but it’s far more helpful to know about a broken washing machine or dishwasher before moving day!
If you find that any of the whiteware doesn’t work during the inspection, this gives the landlord time to get it repaired before you actually move in. That way, you’ll move in and still be able to do a load of washing on moving day.
Smoke Detectors
During an emergency is not the time to find out that the safety equipment in the property doesn’t work. Check the smoke detectors by using the button that most have to confirm they are working as they should. Otherwise, get your landlord to change the batteries before you move in so that you can have the peace of mind that they will go off if there is a fire. This simple check could end up saving your life!
Ceiling, floor, and Walls
One of the first things you notice when walking into a property is the state of the floor. Whether it’s threadbare carpet or lovely hardwood floors with a stain on them, you are likely to see this easily. However, you need to also remember to take note of the state of the walls and ceilings.
Ensure that any severe stains, holes, or other damage is noted on your lease agreement. You don’t want to end up taking responsibility for damage not caused by you. One easy way to go about this is to take photos of any damaged areas and email them to your landlord so that you can later prove that these were present in your new rental before you moved in. This should mean that repair costs for these areas are not taken off your bond at the end of the lease.
Plumbing
Another critical thing to check when you’re looking at places to rent is the plumbing. Imagine your Melbourne moving company has left, you’re done unpacking for the day, and you go to take a shower, but the water pressure is merely a trickle! Don’t let this happen to you. Check the water pressure in the shower during the inspection just by turning on the tap and putting your hand in.
It’s also a good idea to check that the toilet is flushing as it should and the hot water is working in all the faucets. This will also give you the chance to see how well each sink drains. If you do detect any issues, let the landlord or letting agent know so that this can be rectified before you move in.
Paperwork
Before the starting date of your tenancy, your letting agent or landlord must give you the following list of items. The documentation can be provided to you in hard copy or electronically if agreed upon. Make sure that you have all of these before you go ahead and let your Melbourne moving company start shifting your belongings into the new place.
- Copy of the rental agreement
- Renters guide
- Phone number to contact if anything needs to be repaired
- Keys
- A condition report (this is where you should note any damage to the property)
- Contact information for the landlord or agent, including email address and postal address
If you do not have the full list above from your agent or landlord, make sure that you obtain these things before you move in.
The Easiest Way to Move – Hire the Best Melbourne Moving Company
If you’re thinking that moving into a new rental can be a huge hassle, we’re not going to lie to you – it can be. But having the help of a premier Melbourne moving company can make it a whole lot easier. Here at EasyMove, we love making moving simple for our valued customers.
With services from self-storage to furniture disassembly and reassembly, our primary goal is to make moving day as stress-free as possible for you. Once you’ve dealt with the hassle of inspecting your new rental, getting everything fixed by the landlord, and signing on the dotted line, book us in for moving day. Then all you’ll need to do is sit back and relax as we take care of all the details. We can even help with packing if you need us to. Find out more by contacting us today.
