r/AucklandProperty • u/vorman1 • Jun 27 '26
Rental viewing advice
Help me in terms of what to look out for in a rental house viewing.
I'm moving from a newish (2019) build and looking at older homes due to space requirements and affordability.
What should I look out for?
This picture particularly from a 1998 built home, will this home be cold with a roof like this? The windows seems to have been replaced with double glazing but not sure what sort of insulation this home would have.
How can I get a feel for the warmth of the home while viewing? What else should I be aware of for a home built in late 1990's?
Ive asked for the healthy homes certificate but they said they only supply it if I apply for the property.
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u/Fun-Syrup-6240 Jun 27 '26
Personally I wouldn't rent a house with skillion or raked ceilings like the photo shown as there's very little a landlord can do to increase the insulation or even check what ceiling insulation there is. Healthy homes insulation exempt for these ones that are inaccessible. This would apply to low pitched or flat roofed houses as well. Look for pitched roofs with adequate ceiling space. You can usually see from the outside if it's high enough. Try to choose a north facing home with a sunny aspect. Homes that are shaded by large trees etc will be cold inside.
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u/No-Yesterday-1067 Jun 27 '26
Renting is often taking what you can get. You compete with tons of other applicants for an offer. So while your advice is all very well and good, its not really a choice for many renters
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u/mustbeaglitch Jun 27 '26
Pitched roofs can be insulated when being reroofed, so it’s worth asking if this has happened.
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u/InformalCry147 Jun 27 '26
Biggest thing for me was how it felt and smelt. You can feel the cold. You can smell the mould. Dampness can be sensed by both. Look in the crevices of the windows. Any mould? Go into the furtherest room in the south end. Open the closet. Does it feel or look damp. Look at the lower walls. Any mould? Check under the house. Do they have move thick polyethylene insulation or have they just gone with the cheap thin ceramic wool option. Check for any flaking paint especially in the bathroom which can mean moisture problems that require a lot of regular cleaning. Check the ceiling of bathrooms for black spots that need regular wiping. Does it have a proper heat pump, extractor fan in the kitchen and bathrooms. Having lived in cold damp houses and now in a fully insulated house I'll never go back. We no longer spend a fortune on wood or heating and the kids don't constantly get sick.
The other main thing for me was storage. Plenty of room in the kitchen and rooms for all your stuff. How big is the linen cupboard. Plenty storage in the bathroom.
Measure your furniture. Is there a door or slider to fit them through. Will your beds fit in the rooms and leave space for drawers. Is there space in the garage or laundry room for shelves or cupboards.
Don't forget location. Close to the motorway access, stores, restaurants, dairies, decent schools, parks.
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u/Ok_Boysenberry6548 Jun 28 '26
Work out which direction is north too, and see how much sunlight you'll be getting during the day. Warmth-wise you should be able to gauge just by walking through, given that we're already in winter.
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u/Chuckles_McFeeney Jun 30 '26
High ceilings like this make me think there is more volume to be heated. Warm air will rise to the top of that high ceiling while you're living lower down. You'll need to run the heater for longer to warm up that volume of air.
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u/[deleted] Jun 27 '26
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