Unfortunately, renting a property isn’t as simple as flipping through the housing section of your local newspaper, finding somewhere you like, and moving in; There is a lot of thought that needs to go into finding a property that you should be willing to rent. There is a lot of important information that you need to find out, from things as big as a deposit to things as small as water pressure, so be sure to read through this list to find yourself the perfect property to rent.
1. How Big Is The Deposit?
More often than not, landlords will ask for a certain amount of money to be paid upfront, before you can move into the property. There is no set amount that has to be paid, although it is usually one month’s rent. Despite this, plenty of landlords also ask for more, sometimes from six weeks up to two month’s rent, whereas other landlords don’t ask for a deposit.
2. What’s The Area Like?
You don’t want to start signing any tenancy agreement contracts before you know the area that you intend to live in. If it’s a while away from your current home, book a hotel there for a weekend and explore. If you have children, you will want to find the nearest schools, and places for them to have fun, like parks and leisure centres.
3. Can You Have Pets?
Even if you don’t have pets now, you may want to get one in the future, so be sure to discuss this with your potential landlord. You don’t want to fall in love with a property, only to find that you won’t be allowed to take your dog or cat along with you, as this will cause heartache, no matter your decision. To avoid this, be sure to ask the policy on pets before you even view the house.
4. Is Any Work Going To Be Done?
The state of the walls may be turning you off renting now, but for all you know, the landlord could be intending to have the whole house redone before you move in. Your potential landlord has a lot that they need to remember, so it won’t hurt to ask them if they’re going to redecorate before you move in. You might also want to ask if you can redecorate the house yourself, to put your own stamp on the pace. Some landlords will be fine with this, whereas others will be dead-set against it, so be sure you know what you can and can’t do to your home.
5. How’s The Pressure?
The water pressure of your home may not seem like too big of a deal now, but it is sure to get annoying the longer you live at the property. To avoid this, be sure to run all of the taps and the shower when you view the house, and bring up any issues with the landlord before you sign anything. They will often get it sorted for you, with no problems.
This list should get you well on your way to finding the perfect home to rent. Of course, there is a lot more than you need to know before signing any contracts, so be sure to ask the landlord any burning question, before you enter into any agreements.