Advantages and disadvantages to different inspection types

Private rentals come in all shapes and sizes, in different locations. They also come in varying conditions: from very old to very new, from super clean to very dirty. Not all tenants take care of their rented homes; some leave a complete mess when they move out. Not all landlords do repairs, even when the tenants report problems.

Take care of yourself and your money: view before you pay! Renting in London is expensive, you need to make sure you get good value for your money.

There are two ways to view a room or a property: virtually, or IRL/in person:

💻 Virtual Viewing 💻

Advantages

• You can do it from a distance and don’t need to leave home.

Disadvantages

• You only see the inside of the place, but not the outside, or the area, or the local transport to college.
• You can’t see everything, especially not any possible problems. Even with a live video, the person walking round the property can still avoid pointing their camera at that damp and mouldy spot on the ceiling!

🏡 In Person Viewing 🏡

Advantages

• You see it for real! Inside and out, get a proper feel for what it’s like, including the neighbourhood, local transport and amenities.

Disadvantages

• You need to be in London. That can mean booking short-stay accommodation, a hotel or AirBnB. This can become expensive.
• It can also feel awkward. Fear not, it will get easier and you will soon feel like a seasoned pro.

You can always ask the Private Accommodation Adviser in UAL Accommodation Services for advice. The Adviser can help with spotting scams and dodgy landlords or agents. You can contact the Adviser at private.accom@arts.ac.uk or 020 7514 6240.