Nowadays, finding a new flat becomes a challenging job. Increasing prices and security threats make it necessary for a potential tenant to carry out a painstaking walkthrough. It will help you to find some best deals.
Remember, you can’t go after property for its beauty and low rent. Before signing a contract, you have to inspect a building to spot potential issues. In this way, you can avoid rental scams. For your help, here are some things to verify before renting an apartment.
Evaluate Location of the Property
Before renting a flat, you have to check its distance from your office and frequently visit places. Remember, a beautiful flat can’t be the right choice if you have to spend 45 minutes in commute. Try to find a house near your office to decrease your travel expenses.
Moreover, check the crime level of your selected location. You must feel safe at this location. For this reason, check the crime level with the state police’s website. Walk down its streets at night to sense safety, busyness, noise level, and potential issues.
Affordability of Property
Start with a clear budget before finding a property. It will help you to avoid escalating properties. You have to do some math to calculate your affordability. At the time of preparing a budget, consider utility bills, council tax, rent amount, upfront cost, security deposit, etc.
Condition of Property
If you are viewing a flat in the day (sunshine), it can be difficult to imagine its status in the winter. The apartment can be drafty, moldy, and damp. Make sure to check the insulation of your selected property in the winter.
Try to check if this property has some ventilation. Moreover, visit a property on different times of a day to verify the presence of noisy neighbors. Carefully assess an apartment before buying or leasing it. If you notice any problem, such as leaks and cracks, ask your landlord to fix these issues before renting this property.
Meet Current Tenants
It can be an excellent practice to meet current or previous tenants living in this property before you. Meeting them may help you to avoid nasty neighbors or difficult landlords. Check the reasons behind the eviction of old tenants. Sometimes, they evict a property because of some repairing issues. Make sure to do your homework before renting a property. It can save you from potential problems.
Tenancy Agreement
Make sure to sign a short-term agreement to avoid any compromise. It will help you to see if you are a good fit for this property. If you are satisfied with an apartment, feel free to renew your contract. People often sign an extended tenancy agreement to avoid renewal fees. Remember, it can be a risky decision for you and your family.
Long term renters often decrease their expectations to rent a house. There is no harm in adjusting your life in a small shower, cramped kitchen because it is a rented property. You should not compromise over necessities, such as car parking. Make sure to rent a property that should satisfy your essential needs.