Trying to find a property or apartment to rent can be really challenging, but this doesn’t mean that you should jump at the opportunity and rent the first property you find. There are certain criteria that you must keep in mind when searching for a house to rent. Here are the things that you need to consider before renting a house.
If Pets Are Allowed
It is very important that you ask your landlord whether pets are allowed on the property or not. This is crucial, especially if you’re a pet enthusiast or a pet owner. Some property owners don’t allow pets in the property as they believe that pets may not make it habitable. If there are rules against having pets on the property and you would like to keep your little friend, then it is best to look for another house. Don’t try to sneak your pet around, as you might lose your lease if you do so.
Advance Payment
If you’re familiar with house renting, then you already know that you have to put down payment in advance on the house. In most cases, you pay one month’s rent as an advance payment for house insurance. This entirely depends on how much you’ll be paying for rent, so it’s advised by the experts at Dale Mundi that you find a real estate agent that is cost-effective to reduce rent costs. However, this may differ from one landlord to another, so make sure you discuss that with them beforehand. In most cases, if you leave the house in acceptable conditions, you will be refunded with the advance payment amount.
Water Pressure
When you go around to check a property before renting it, make sure to run water taps and showers to check the water pressure. As long as you find the problem before signing the lease, then it falls under the landlord’s obligation to fix the issue. If you fail to notice this before getting into a legal contract, then you may not be able to resolve the problem later on.
Who Will Repaint The Walls
There are certain tasks that need to be done before you move in, and you and your landlord should agree upon who’s responsible for this type of task before signing your contract. If there are certain things that you want to have your landlord do before renting the apartment, make sure that everything is done before you move in. Most probably, you will need to repaint the walls of the house before moving in, and in most cases, this task is the property’s owner’s responsibility. Make sure that you discuss this with your landlord and come to an agreement before you move in.
Rent Increases
Usually, there’s always a fixed-term period mentioned in the tenancy agreement about when exactly the periodic rent increases happen. In most cases, your landlord will ask for a yearly increase in the rent, but the percentage may vary from one place to another. Whichever percentage and term period are agreed upon by yourself and your landlord, check that it is written in your tenancy agreement the exact same way. You can ask other tenants about those terms to make sure you’re not going to overpay.
Neighborhood Safety
One of the most important things about the house you’ll be renting is the safety of the neighborhood the house is in. You can ask around the neighborhood about any frequent criminal activity around the area or search on the internet or on news websites. There are many criteria that can tell whether this neighborhood is safe or not. If this neighborhood shows any signs that it is not a safe environment, then consider finding a house in a safer area even if it has to be a smaller house for you to stick to your budget.
Terms And Conditions You Don’t Like
As a future tenant, you can actually challenge any terms and conditions in the contract that you’re not happy with. However, this cannot be done after you sign the tenancy agreement, which is why you need to thoroughly go through the agreement and maybe have a lawyer review it for you. Do not rent a property unless you’re sure that you can live with the contract’s terms and conditions because you might not be able to change them later, and going against those rules might give the landlord the right to kick you out.
What To Put In Writing
You are entitled to put everything in writing about your agreement, and it is advised that you do so. Even if your landlord is a friend, you shouldn’t risk your rights by not having them written in your tenancy agreement. There are certain legal requirements that you need from your landlord, and you can ask professional legal personnel about them. Make sure that you include any inventory in the agreement to ensure that you do not get implicated for anything that’s missing in the apartment by the time you leave.
Prepare An Inventory List
In some cases, your landlord might hand over an inventory list, or it may already be a part of the tenancy agreement. However, it is advised that you always conduct a thorough list yourself to protect your rights. An inventory list is a list containing any furniture, electronics, shades, etc., that come with the rented apartment. This list is evidence for when you leave the apartment that nothing is missing and safety for the landlord to ensure that you don’t take anything when you leave by mistake.
If this is not your first time renting a house, then you probably have made mistakes in the past concerning house renting. It is best to write those down to check with yourself to avoid repeating them. If you’re renting a room in a rented house or renting a house with a roommate then make sure that they add your name to the lease as well or that you have a written tenancy agreement to protect the rights that you are entitled to as a tenant. Even if you’re just renting a room, the same rights as renting a house apply to your tenancy agreement.
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