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Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important places to check when you’re looking to buy or rent a property, and the places to make sure you clean properly if you want to get your security deposit back when you’re moving on from a rental.
Kitchen checks are absolutely essential because of the inherent health hazards that come with water, electricity and perishable food stuffs. Any one of those on its own could be a risk but put them all in the same place and it could be the recipe for a household disaster! Most household accidents happen in the kitchen so it’s important to check that you, or the people moving in after you will be safe.
When you’re looking at the kitchen here’s a list of the things that you should be looking for before you either sign it off as done or hand over any cash.
-The range, is it gas or electric? Has it been serviced and certified by a qualified engineer? Is it clean without any damage? If it’s gas does it smell? Can you turn the flow on and off easily, does it light well?
-The extractor fan, is there one? Does it expel air or just filter it, is it actually vented in at all? If it’s new it may not have to as it filters the air, if it’s old it’s just there to look good and blast the smoke away from the immediate area above the cooker. Is it clean? If it’s greasy and dusty it can be a major fire hazard.
-The fridge, check that it is cold (unless it’s been off for a while, if so switch it on so you can at least hear the motor working and check the light comes on.) is it scrupulously clean and odour free? Do the doors all close properly if it’s a fridge freezer with the double doors. If the freezer has an icemaker check the lines are good, they can often cause a lot of problems when they perish.
-The sink, check it isn’t blocked or leaking and that if there’s garbage disposal, that it will work and that it has the manufacturer’s safety devices in place.
-Taps, good pressure and temperature? Where bathroom taps are concerned, does the temperature depend upon microscopic incremental movements of the hot tap? Does the water get boiling or freezing when a tap is turned on in another part of the building?
-Dishwashers, If there is a dishwasher, is it plumbed in properly? Is it clean and odour-free? If you can, switch it on for a moment to hear it working and open it mid-cycle to see that everything’s moving.
-Microwaves, make sure that the timer and the turntable work, that the door opens freely and isn’t loose at the hinges.
-Kitchen cabinets, are they all sound? Do the doors all fit ok? Are the hinges all sturdy, drawer runners straight and smooth? Are they all clean right down the back? Look for black specks (mouse poo) and bugs which could reveal an infestation.
-Counter tops, are they properly secured to the tops of the cupboards? Are they all clean and free of damage? Are edgings coming away from the timber? If there’s a shelf area, is it properly supported?
-Heating, if central heating, turn it on and see how well it works, if it’s gas, does it smell, has it been serviced? Have all the vents been cleared? Remember carbon monoxide is odourless and invisible but, unlike carbon dioxide, it is actively toxic. If you can’t be sure it’s properly vented, report it.
-Electrics, are there outlets near sinks or wet areas? Can you tell if the sockets are protected and fused properly? If you aren’t sure then report it and insist that they are checked.
-Lighting, all working and switches free of damage? If not, report it.
-Walls, Are they damp, crumbling or damaged? How clean are they, is that just dirt that you could clean or damp coming through from the other side?
-Windows, do they all fit properly? Are they draughty, broken or rotten?
-Flooring, are vinyl floor coverings in one piece or torn/worn out? If there are tiles are they all in one piece or have some cracked? Look around the edges of the room where the floor meets the walls to check for further damage.
Dan Cash is a property leasing advisor who often has trouble with electricals like frost free freezers, cheap dishwashers and washing machines. Please check these especially carefully before checking them off.
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
