Make sure you see the relevant safety certificates. CORGI for the gas for example.
Can I just repeat this one because its really important? I nearly lost a flatmate due to CO poisoning thanks to our rackmanlike landlord when I was at Uni. The gas board went ape when we called them round, though sadly not ape enough to prosecute the *********.

Also, about the one legal right you have as a tenant is that the landlord can't come poking in. Private landlords don't seem to understand this. If you find he/she is just dropping by uninvited, the FIRST time it happens, politely ask them to stop. I remeber coming home one day to find a note on our washing machine from the landlord saying "machine broken- will get it fixed". WTF? (1) It wasn't broken that morning and (2) what were you doing using our washing machine?

Communal stuff is tricky, as it depends on your friends. I had a flat where there was a common kitty, people just did whatever shopping we needed without being asked, cooking and cleaning more or less just happened, and everything was hunky dory. Then I had a house which...wasn't quite the same. (Though after we kicked out the fly in the ointment all was well again for years).

Do be clear about what is "house" property and comes out of the kitty. Oh, and if you get to the stage where people have their own loo roll: start looking to move out.

Oh yeah, and try not to pay the last month's rent. Chances are the ******* will try to keep the deposit anyway so you might as well call it the rent. If there really is any damage to pay for you can always write a cheque