• Most students expect the property to have a full range of white goods. Oven plus hob, microwave, large fridge, and washing machine are found in pretty much all student properties with the majority also having tumble driers and freezers. Does the property have enough potential space to house these or if it does not, can it be created? Is there enough kitchen storage and work top area for the number of tenants? Check out https://www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property/houses-in-multiple-occupation-hmo and make sure you comply.
• Are the windows in good repair? Wooden windows will need repainting every few years, UPVC or aluminium frames do not. If the windows do not have trickle vents, install one in each window to help reduce condensation.
• Inspect the plumbing and electrics – you can tell by looking at the fixtures and fittings if they look old and not well maintained. Turn lights on and off, see if the cooker works and It might be worth getting an electrical report done before you put in an offer   https://www.localelectriciansdirect.co.uk/installation-condition-report-survey peer under sinks to see if there are any leeks, turn on taps and find out how old the boiler is.
• Does the house show signs of mould or damp that may indicate it could be a property that is difficult to ventilate? Does it smell damp? Is there peeling paper or loose plaster that could indicate a damp problem. Find damp? Ask a surveyor to have a look at it https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/building-surveyors-reports.aspx  they should be a le tell you if it is a problem or not.
• Open doors and windows, cupboards and drawers and check they all work.
• See if you can get in the loft. What is the access like? Are there any holes or dampness on the beams and is it insulated?
• What is the condition of the walls? Are any covered in wood chip which is sometimes used to cover up poor plaster or old cracked plaster. Removing woodchip can be a time consuming job.
• Go outside and look at the roof and guttering – are there missing tiles? Does the guttering look sound?
• Remember the outside space. Small gardens that are just grass, or hard landscaped are the easiest and cheapest to maintain. Generally, students are not keen gardeners even if you do provide them with a lawnmower and a few garden tools. Rather than find a jungle at the end of the tenancy consider employing a gardener to mow the lawn every couple of weeks if you are not able to do this yourself. Borders could be grassed over or covered in matting and wood chip or gravel to prevent weeds, shrubs can be cut right back or removed. Keep it simple.
• It is handy to have storage for bicycles otherwise they may end up in the house so an area under cover outside such as a garden shed is useful.
• Be nosy – have a look at any neighbours that back on to you or share party wall or garden boundary. If their place is a mess it could mean there are problems in the future.

Simple properties which are easy to maintain and clean work best for tenants and landlords. Ask yourself – would I like to live here? Is this property going to be easy to look after? If the answer to either is ‘no’ then don’t buy it. If the answer is ‘yes’ go back and see the property at a different time of day, this can give you a different perspective on the area. If you are still interested add up all the costs of any repairs and coasts of preparing the property for let and work out your offer price.