They say that the kitchen is the heart and one of the most important rooms in the home, and that’s also an important factor when considering a place to rent.

Depending on where you are planning to rent, the difference in what your kitchen will be equipped with and look like, will vary greatly. In most cases, old apartment buildings in large apartment blocks usually have a relatively small kitchen with simple appliances, (Oven, fridge-freezer and washing machine), however, newer rentals can even have facilities such as dish-washers and more modern appliances.

This can usually affect the cost of an rental greatly, but usually only if the appliances are modern. If the appliances and furniture are what is considered “Classic”, then don’t expect a cheaper rent because of that. Unfortunately, when it comes to old-fashioned appliances and furniture in kitchens, rental prices aren’t usually lowered due to them not being modern and the owners are not usually in a hurry to replace any of them any time soon. This can present some issues, especially where refrigerators and microwaves are concerned, as the older the appliance, the less energy efficient they are, resulting in higher bills.

That being said, you can discuss with the owner of the accommodation, if they would be willing to allow you to replace certain items at your own expense or for a reduced rental cost on a particular month when you will purchase the items. Usually, the issue with replacing the appliances aren’t down to expenses, but usually down to the inconvenience which may be caused to the owner having to manage the removal and replacement of particular items, especially if there’s technically nothing wrong with the appliances, just the tenant’s preference.

However, preferences and safety are two different things. Here is what you should be checking whenever you’re inspecting the kitchen of a possible rental property:

• Are the fixtures and fittings secure (no loose doors or shelves)
• Is the refrigerator and freezer working correctly
• Are there any signs of damage to the door seals on the fridge / freezer?
• Are there any insects or other signs of pests in the cupboards?
• Does the water drain correctly in the sink?
• Is the washing machine and / or dishwasher free of mould or dirt
• How modern are the appliances?
• Are cooking appliances gas / electric or combined?
• Are the plates, glasses and other kitchen utensils included?
• Have cooking appliances been serviced or checked?
• Are there any leaks where taps and drainage are connected?

Of course, all of these different things can be resolved quite easily, but that doesn’t mean that you should put off discussing such topics with the owner of the property. Ignoring things like damaged refrigerator seals, old appliances or lack of kitchen cookware can result in unexpected costs.