The room viewing checklist for 2026

Before you arrive

Confirm the full address, advertised rent, deposit, bill arrangement, move-in date and who will show you around. Search the address and landlord or agent name independently. Never let urgency replace verification.

Take a list of your non-negotiables: commute, work-from-home space, parking, accessibility, pets, smoking and overnight guests. A good room can still be the wrong household.

Inspect the room and shared space

Look beyond styling. Open a window, check water pressure, look beneath sinks and around external walls, and notice condensation or musty smells. Ask to see working smoke alarms and how escape routes are kept clear.

• Check locks, sockets, heating and mobile signal.
• Confirm what furniture stays and photograph its condition.
• See the kitchen, bathroom, bins, laundry and any outdoor space.
• Ask how many people live there and how cleaning is organised.

Questions that protect your budget

Ask whether rent includes gas, electricity, water, broadband and council tax, and whether there is a fair-use cap. Clarify the deposit or holding deposit, the agreement type, notice, renewal expectations and any guarantor requirement.

Do not transfer money until you understand who you are paying, have verified the room and have written terms. Keep the advert, messages and receipts.