Renting with children: what changes

Parents tend to search on bedrooms and price. Those matter, but the things that decide whether a house works with children are mostly elsewhere.

• The school run, measured at the hour you would actually do it
• Whether the compound is fenced and who controls the gate
• Somewhere outside that is safe to be, even if small
• Water reliability, which matters far more with children
• How many households share the compound, and whether there are other children
• The route to the nearest health centre, at night

Ask about the compound's rules

Some compounds are relaxed about children playing outside; some are not. It is much better to find this out before you move than in the second week.

Noise cuts both ways

You will be assessing the compound for noise. Consider that a landlord with quiet elderly tenants is also assessing you. Being straightforward about having young children avoids a bad fit for everyone.