So excited. We are going to look at a flat today . It's the first we are looking at and I know there is a check list of needs. ie parking and accessibility, entrance needs to be private, two bedrooms, shower, and lots of other stuff. I hope it's what we are looking for as it's in a Georgian square over looking a small park area just off the centre of town. Train station round the corner. Oh and a police station about hundred yards away. How's that for security.  .

Thanks LL I know it will be long shot if it's the right one. There is lots of pay and display parking all around and the town hall is a neighbour. There is another one we will be looking at in a less salubrious part of a different town, that has Asda opposite but is above a motorbike shop. Can't make my mind up if that is good or bad.

I got very lucky with the first flat I viewed. While I do share a landing with a few other flats, an advantage I have is that I'm at the end of the hall: I can see them come in from the lifts and approach my door. There's no way a second person can be hiding just out of sight waiting to shove their way in and rob me. (Of course, this requires my waiting at the keyhole, watching.)

I also have the advantage of being in the corner of the building and my bedroom is isolated from any neighbours' walls.

I am in a large building so people won't notice who comes and goes. And I won't use the intercom system (as some office workers sometimes smoke outside the door.) I keep them on their mobile phone and talk them through the door code and into the building. I also ask them not to knock, as I'll be waiting to open the door when I see them approach. I open the door with my fingers to my lips as a hint to keep quiet until they're inside the flat.

There have been a couple of occasions where a punter has been seen by a neighbour in the past seven months. It's important to minimise these situations.

When I have looked for working flats one of my number one rules is there cannot be children living in the stair.

Not sure if that's just me though?

 No it's not just you FT.  I'm the same.  I have a LONG list of must haves for a working apartment.

I would love to have a second bedroom where I could stow all my crap - then my living area would be open to clients. As it is, even when I have it tidy, there is still too much personal stuff about to feel comfortable.

If it's just a work flat, why do you need two bedrooms? I only ask because one bedroom would be cheaper and it's less to heat/clean .

Yes looking at one bedroom as well. But wanting two so my husband can be on the premises for security, I am still a little nervous and like the idea of him being close to hand. Especially when I will be taking bookings that will possibly come from my web site and not via AW. At the moment I am only seeing clients with positive feed back. I know this is not infallible but it helps a bit. I have had one or two without feed back to see if I can judge character reasonably over the phone. It's all still a very sharp learning curve.

I know I know about the feed back thing but it makes me feel a little better at the moment, I will wean myself off it though. Unfortunately my husband likes his creature comforts and would expect at least this computer in there. We thought if the lay out was ok a one bedroom and use the lounge as a work room. Yes there are a lot of boxes to tick and I am under no illusion this may take some time. I wanted to ask those of you who have working flats, how do you get round not being there of a night, does that not rouse suspicion from neighbours?