Moving Into a Cricklewood Home: What to Check
A viewing shows a property at its best: lights on, surfaces clean, furniture arranged. Pests are rarely visible in the fifteen minutes you spend looking round. A few minutes of the right checks, before and just after you move, can save weeks of trouble.
At the viewing
- Look inside the cupboard under the sink and behind the cooker if you can for droppings
- Check skirting boards and the edges of carpets for damage or larvae
- Look at mattress seams if the property is furnished
- Notice any musty or ammonia smell in enclosed cupboards
The first week
Fleas are the classic moving-day surprise. Pupae left by a previous tenant's pet sit dormant in an empty flat and hatch once people start walking about again. Bites around the ankles within the first days, with no pet of your own, point strongly to fleas.
Furniture that comes with you
Second-hand beds, sofas and bedside tables are how bed bugs travel. Inspect them closely before they come into the new home, paying attention to seams, joints and screw holes.
If you find something
If you rent, tell your landlord or letting agent straight away and in writing — it matters that the problem was reported at the start of the tenancy. If you have bought, you can book treatment directly; our prices are published so you know the cost up front.
