You’ve saved up some money to rent an apartment and you’re ready to make a move. It is a huge step that requires preparations.
It’s important to be guided on how to make the right choice that will make your effort worthwhile.
In this article, you’ll be reading 10 best tips for successfully renting a house. They highlight what you must do to ensure that you choose the best house that fits your lifestyle.
These tips are divided into 4 broad categories:
- Financial
- Physical assessment
- Social interaction and
- Legal
Each one is essential and will help you to make the right choice.
- Financial Tips
These are related to your finances and how you plan to handle the financial aspect of renting the house. It is better to be prepared beforehand as to the financial responsibilities than to be caught unawares.
1. Discover the prices of other houses within the location
There is a price range for every size.
Find out the cost of renting houses around the location. This might also include comparing prices while considering the physical features of each house.
Factoring in the structure, size, and facilities of each house would also make your price comparison useful.
Discovering the price helps you to know if the price offered to you is worth it or outrageous.
2. Understand the cost of housing
You already have a budget but the extra expenses of renting a house might surprise you. The rent itself is one thing and the extra expenses are another thing.
The bills, repairs, furnishing, and even agent fees are additional costs to plan for.
After you settle the rent payment, you might be expected to handle the electricity, water, and some other bills. Expenses for repairs might also be on you. And above all, you must get furniture and other interior decorations to furnish your house.
Knowing the total cost and including it in your budget will go a long way.
3. Agree on a payment plan
Rent payments come in different packages.
You must know the style the landlord or agent adopts to get rent payment. It might be made on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. It might also involve advance payment. Having foreknowledge will also help you to determine if it suits you or not.
Remember that you’re the one renting the house, so only what is convenient for you should be agreed on. Any payment plan that would be a burden to your finances should be avoided. Or a better plan can be made and agreed on. Also, understand how the rent increase would be if any.
Agree to what will benefit you and not weigh you down in the long-run.
Physical Assessment Tips
You can’t be sure about the physical condition of the house by description or word-of-mouth. You have to do proper assessments and check out for certain things before you pay.
4. Inspect the house for any damage
Repair for damages you didn’t cause might be on you.
Some damages might have been done in the house before you move in, especially if you’re not the first person to live there. A new house may also have defects while building. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect it even if it is new.
Check for cracks on walls and floors, leaks from taps or pipes, broken doors or windows, and everything in the house. This is vital so that you can inform the landlord or agent for repairs before you move in. You don’t want to be responsible for what you didn’t cause.
Any defect that can cause harm should be repaired before you move in.
5. Make evidence of the physical state
There’s nothing as good as indisputable evidence.
While you’ve informed the landlord or agent about defects in the house, you should also have evidence with you.
In some cases, the damage to the home might be something you can manage until a repair is made. So, moving in won’t be a problem.
The information given to the landlord or agent about the damage should also be recorded. It could be as a video or pictures to serve as proof that the damage or defect was present before you moved in. It might also be proper to have a written document signed by both of you as evidence.
There is no ruling out the place of evidence in anything, even housing.
6. Do the repairs you can
Don’t leave to chance or the landlord what you can fix.
The damage might be something you can repair or get someone to do. Don’t hesitate to do that if it’s within your capacity. Sometimes, the landlord can put the responsibility of repairs on you. You must agree on how payments would be made for the repair.
If you’re taking up the responsibility of repairs yourself and at your own cost, ensure that it is with the landlord’s consent. You’re a tenant, so you must get adequate permission from the house owner before getting it repaired or doing it.
As much as your safety in the house is essential, you must seek permission to fix anything.
- Social Tips
You’re going to be living around other people who were probably there long before you. Interacting and socializing with them might prove helpful to you sooner or later.
7. Know your neighbors
Your neighbors are the closest to you.
Get to know those who live around you. You don’t have to always be in their houses or have them in yours. Interacting with them might show that you’re a friendly person, which can help you.
Your existing neighbors have been there before you, so you can get first-hand information about the happenings and good places around from them. You would also understand the people who have lived in your house and even tips about dealing with people.
Knowing your neighbors will help you a lot.
8. Build healthy relationships
Healthy relationships set you on the right path.
Know your neighbors and those who live around you, and have a good relationship with them to establish familiarity. They will always vouch for you and support you when there’s a need for it. Also, having a good relationship with your landlord can make things easier for you.
Paying your rent promptly, avoiding troubles, owing nobody, and many other good traits can make your relationship with your landlord and neighbors healthy.
You won’t know when the relationship you’ve built will be helpful until a need arises.
- Legal Tips
You’d always need to do certain things to be on the right side of the law and not be found wanting in legal matters.
9. Make necessary agreements beforehand
You must know the terms before you agree.
Different house owners have their terms put in place for leaving in their houses. You must know all and agree to them before you rent the house. See if you’re allowed to adopt pets, understand the environment’s landlord-tenant laws, and the lease policy.
Ensure you document all agreements in writing and get them duly signed by both of you with each copy with either of you. Ask many questions and ensure that every agreement has been made. Keep a record of every transaction and dealings. Don’t base anything on a verbal agreement.
The sooner you discuss and agree on everything you should the better for you.
10. Know your right
You have a right as a tenant and you must know it.
You should allow no harassment or ill-treatment of any kind as a tenant. Ensure you obey all the laws and meet all the agreements to avoid unnecessary infringement of your right by your landlord or agent.
If part of the agreement is regular inspection of the house at intervals, ensure it is not done in excess or at odd times to inconvenient you. Be expressive if you feel your right is denied or ignored. Don’t hesitate to report any form of harassment; get a lawyer and go to court if need be.
Know your right, meet up with all agreements, and allow no one to maltreat you as a tenant.
Conclusion
You have made the right choice to rent a house and you’ve saved some money to make this happen. Ensure you live comfortably and make sure your stay in the house is enjoyable and worthwhile.
The tips above will help you to know what to do and the right steps to take when renting a house. They will also enable you to enjoy your stay there.
Cc: Maramani
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