- Keep a note of the Post Office’s postcode finder website, postcode.postoffice.co.uk. This is vital for finding properties with sat-nav, or via the AA’s route-planner. You will also need a postcode to apply for insurance.

- Take a friend with you on viewings for security, and to be another pair of eyes for potential problems, and/or dodgy ruses attempted by the landlord/letting agent.

- Check kitchen cupboards for mouse droppings, watch out for loose wallpaper or flaking paint as this can be a sign of damp, and sniff out mothballs. Such problems are not going to go away, so think twice about signing on the dotted line.

- Does the décor give you a headache? The landlord might be delighted if you volunteer to get out the paint-roller, but check it is OK to cover up the swirly wallpaper.

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• Ten things you need to know about... renting

- Before you sign the contract, ensure that all relevant appliances have fire certificates, that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are fitted, and that there is a clear means of escape in case of a fire. The Fire and Furniture Regulations 1988 states that furnishings should be clearly labelled to prove that they meet standards.

Moving in

- If a property is advertised as “fully-furnished”, it should come with furniture, plus crockery, glassware, cutlery, pots and pans etc. If it is “un-furnished”, expect only the basics, such as carpets and light-fittings. However, provision may differ in different markets, and will depend on what kind of property it is, so be prepared to adjust your expectations.

- Check the inventory. This should include everything the landlord has provided for the property. If there is no inventory, contact the landlord or lettings agency as you must draw one up. An inventory should include all items the landlord has supplied; furniture, soft furnishings, crockery, electrical appliances etc. It should also state the condition of each item when you move in. You must check over the inventory, and sign to say you agree that everything on it is present and in the condition described. The landlord or letting agent must do the same. This is really important, as you do not want to be liable for any damage or wear which is not your fault. Keep a copy safe.

- When you rent a home, you are responsible for arranging your own insurance to cover your personal belongings. The landlord should provide cover for buildings, fixtures and fittings and their own contents. It is worth checking that this is in place.

- It is your responsibility to make sure that any furniture you bring with you will fit into the rented property: the landlord is not going to be happy if you have to take the window out to get your bed in. Consider putting all non-essential items in storage.

If you have a problem

- Knowing who is responsible for what is vital for cordial tenant/landlord relations. As a rule, landlords have responsibility for the structure of the property, the exterior (such as the roof) and the safety and provision of services including gas, electricity and water. As a tenant, you are expected to behave in a “tenant-like manner”. This means that you must keep your home clean and in good order inside and out, report any breakages of malfunctions immediately, attend to minor maintenance matters such as replacing batteries in smoke alarms, keep the place warm, free from damp and secure, and respect rules about pets, smoking etc.

- Keep copies of all documents such as receipts and estimates for work, and take photographs of damage, damp patches etc for evidence.

- First, approach your landlord or letting agent firmly, in person, with your problem. If you are not satisfied with the response, then put your complaint in writing.

- If this does not get results, approach one of the trade/regulatory bodies, or the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, for advice an alternative dispute resolution.

Cost Calculator

- It is a criminal offence for an agency to charge you to register your details, or to supply you with details of properties available to rent. Do not part with any money until an agency has found you a place to live.

- An agency may charge you for drawing up a tenancy agreement or inventory, or for administration work, or for checking your references. Costs can spiral upwards of £100-£150, so be aware of what you might have to pay for.

- It is legal for an agency to ask for a holding deposit (from around £50, or one week’s rent) to secure a property. This may be deduced from the first month’s rent.

- If the rent is, for example, £500 a week, the monthly rent will not be £2,000, but 4.33 x £500 (£2,165).

- A deposit, or bond, is typically one month’s rent, in advance.

- Don’t forget to factor in other outgoings: utility bills, council tax and insurance for personal belongings.

- For a fee of £2, it makes sense to check your own credit report with Experian or Equifax, before embarking on renting a home. If there are issues which will affect your credit score, address them in advance, to avoid holding up proceedings and losing the flat or house of your dreams.