The Council's Residential Services team offer the following advice to help you find a good place to live, and a good landlord:

A tick sheet is provided to download, so that you may grade properties as you view them.  Download and print as many copies as you need here:  Renting Ticksheet Download

What to look for in a bedsit/flat/house etc, does the property:

• Have an adequate heating system; working central heating or heaters in living/bedrooms?
• Have an electrical system in good outward repair; adequate sockets, no cracked sockets, damaged switches or light pendants etc?
• Have a CORGI Gas Safety Certificate in the last 12 months?
• Have Hot & Cold running water at each bath/basin/sink, no dripping/leaking taps or pipes?
• Have toilets that are clean and flush?
• Have smoke detectors in upstairs and downstairs hallways for a single house, fire doors and mains detectors, extinguishers etc in flats and bedsits?
• Have securely fixed and sealed kitchen worktops?
• Have good security;  All doors and windows open and close easily, and are secure when locked, window locks fitted?
• Have gardens/yards free from litter, old furniture etc and are adequately maintained?

Is It?

• In an area that you are happy to live in?
• In good general external structural repair; large cracks, roof OK, guttering sound?
• In generally good decorative order; recent decoration, no water stains, mould etc?
• In generally clean internal condition?

What to look for in a landlord/letting agent:

• A professional attitude.
• Provision of a signed copy of the tenancy agreement at the start of the tenanacy.
• Provision of an inventory agreed in advance of the tenancy.
• Provision of a receipt given for the deposit.
• Provision of a GORGI Gas Safety Certificate, Fire Alarm test certificate etc.
• Provision of contact details of the landlord/agent for the reporting of defects etc.
• An undertaking to observe the rights and privacy of tenants, and notice periods for essential access etc.
• Is the landlord/agent Accredited by Swindon Borough Council?

We operate a Landlord Accreditation Scheme, whereby landlords with proven good management practices are recognised with an award and inclusion in our web list of Accredited Landlords.  The list of currently Accredited Landlords can be found by using the following link.    Accredited Landlords List