CribCheckStep 1 — Work out what you can actually pay
Annual rent is rarely the number that empties your account. Add agency and agreement fees, caution deposit, service charge, moving, painting and internet installation. Budget from the total move-in cost, not the advertised rent.
Step 2 — Choose areas by commute, not by name
- Time the journey to work at the hour you would actually travel, both directions.
- Check flood history before you fall in love with a street.
- Ask about public supply hours and whether the estate runs a shared generator.
- Compare service charges: two similar flats can differ by hundreds of thousands a year.
Step 3 — Shortlist without paying anyone
- Collect options from portals, estate noticeboards, referrals and the caretaker network in your target streets.
- Reverse-search listing photos. Recycled photos are a common scam signal.
- Ask for the exact address before agreeing to any viewing fee.
- Confirm the agent's authority from the owner in writing.
Step 4 — Inspect properly
View in daylight, with water and power on if possible, and ideally after heavy rain. Work through the viewing checklist rather than following the agent's tour. Photograph everything you question, and write down the answers you are given.
Step 5 — Decide with evidence
Compare your shortlist on condition and true cost, not on paint. Where you see cracks, damp, drainage problems or suspect wiring, bring in a professional before you commit — a report costs far less than inheriting the repair.