Top 10 Househunting Tips

1. Choose your housemates carefully.

Before you sign an agreement think carefully about who you're living with. People that haven’t thought it through often run into problems later with cleaning, paying bills and sharing facilities.

2. Think about what you need or want in a house.

This can be the number of rooms, number of shared facilities like bathrooms and kitchen appliances as well as communal space.

3. Understand 'Joint & Several Liability' and 'Fixed Term'.

In most cases landlords will ask everyone in the house to sign one tenancy agreement. This usually means that should one person not pay their rent, technically everyone else could be asked to pay it for them. A fixed term is the date and length of your tenancy. See the Advice Centre Leaflet on this topic for more information.

4. Talk to existing tenants about the house.

When looking around houses why not talk to the existing tenants as they’ve got the knowledge on what it’s like to live there.

5. Ask which deposit protection scheme your landlord is using.

If your contract is an assured shorthold tenancy your deposit must be protected in one of three government registered schemes. See the Advice Centre Leaflet on this topic for more information.

6. Have your agreement looked at by a Union Advice worker.

Don’t be rushed into signing any document. Before you sign an agreement read the document through thoroughly. It is recommended to visit the Union Advice Centre with a copy of your tenancy agreement to make an appointment with an Advice Worker who can draw your attention to the main clauses and terms of the contract.

7. Don't rush your decision.

Don’t rush into making a decision on housing. There is a lot of property available in Norwich and those that make a decision in a hurry often run into problems.

8. Read the Union's Househunting Guide.

This guide answers some of the most common questions when househunting. Including a useful checklist, description of terms and abbreviations and what to look for and think about when searching for a new home. Click here to view the guide.

9. Talk with your landlord, neighbours and co-tenants.

Try your best to keep a good relationship with your landlord and your neighbours.

10. Enjoy your new house!