Renting a home is a big life choice, which surely requires a lot of thought and consideration. From creating a budget that suits your income to purchasing a renter’s insurance, there is a lot that goes into renting a home. However, to make sure that you are getting the most out of the money you spend monthly or annually on your rental property, here are some key things you need to consider before choosing one.
Location
Many tenants say that location is the first thing that should be researched before renting a home. This includes finding its proximity to essential services and other commuting facilities for a hassle-free lifestyle.
It is also crucial to find out the area’s crime rates. You can just talk to residents, neighbours, local business owners, or policemen to know more about the safety of a neighbourhood, before renting a home there.
The Security Of Entrances
Many locksmiths say that the first line of defence in any property are the entrances. So make sure you are checking all the entrances for secure locks and additional security features like peephole, chain lock, key codes, security cameras, and remote unlocking systems.
You can also ask the landlord or property management how often they practise lock change, as you don’t want to run the risk of a past tenant accessing your home.
Visible Damages
It’s common to think that little things like burnt-out lights, peeling paint, or leaky faucets are easily fixable, but they may end up costing a lot and also be a tell-tale sign of a less attentive landlord. The last thing you want in a rental home is to have major security issues that may take weeks for a proper fix.
As soon as you arrive at the property, make notes documenting any signs of damages that need fixing. This can include broken fences, broken or loose door locks, overgrown landscaping, peeling paint, and worn carpeting.
Since you are not a tenant at this point yet, you can freely hold the landlord accountable and ask if they are planning to fix the damages before you move in. This will also prevent the landlord from shifting the accountability of these damages caused by the previous tenants to you if you overlooked them.
Water Pressure
When you inspect a rental property, turn the taps and showers and check the water pressure. If you find any problem, you can negotiate with the landlord before signing the agreement.
If you fail to address this before entering into an agreement, you may not be able to resolve the issue later and will end up bearing the cost out of your pocket. Depending on the country you live in, in some cases, inadequate water pressure issues may fall within the landlord’s legal obligation. However, to be on the safe side it’s best to get them checked beforehand.
Working Conditions Of Inventories
If you’re opting for a fully-furnished rental property, the white goods will already be equipped. Inspect these goods carefully and make sure to check if they work properly. You can also ask for clarification in writing as to whether the landlord will agree to repair any of these white goods if they break down.
Remember that accountability for both the landlord and tenants will be determined legally only by proper evidence of what has been agreed by both the parties, so make sure to get any mutual concerns properly documented in writing.
