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Whether you're renting a house for the first time, or you are simply changing properties, there are a few things you should consider before you commit to a rental contract.

1. Know your rights

Tenants have specific rights under the law that protect them from rogue landlords, unsafe fixtures and fittings and rental fraud. Before you sign a contract with a rental agent or a landlord, make sure you know what you're entitled to, how much deposit you have to pay and what conditions are attached to your rental agreement.

2. Set a budget

Make sure that you only look at rental properties that you can afford, and remember to include all the additional payments you will need to make, such as:

' Water rates/meter
' Electricity and Gas bills
' Council tax
' Phone and broadband connections
' Parking

Ask your agent about all the additional costs associated with the properties you are viewing so that you're not taken by surprise when the bills start coming in.

3. Ask the right questions

It is important that you're fully aware of the landlord and agent's responsibilities and that you know what procedure to follow when something goes wrong at your rental property. Make sure you have a range of contact details and that you know who to call first. Check what, if any, responsibilities you have for general maintenance of the property and its gardens, whether you're allowed to paint the property and whether the landlord allows things like pets or smoking. These are all important questions and you should know that answers to them before you sign up.

4. Have a checklist

When you view a property, take a checklist of the things that are important to you so that you can note the pros and cons of each place that you view. This will help you to distinguish one property from another later on, but also ensures that you don't forget to note any of the things that could make the difference between a great rental property and a flop. Questions could include:

' What are the parking arrangements?
' Is it noisy at night?
' Is it close to public transport links?
' Is it close to schools?
' Does the heating work properly?

These may seem like basic questions, but it's often the basic things that annoy us most when they go wrong.

5. Agents and contracts

Make sure that you choose a reputable agent who is experienced and affiliated to a recognised professional body. Then check out the contract and make sure that it includes everything you need and that there are no vague clauses that you don't understand. If there's something in the contract that you're not sure about, ask your agent to clarify it. If it makes you feel more comfortable, get a solicitor to check out your contract or take it to a consumer advice centre.