10 Things to Consider When Looking for a Rental Home
When renting a home, location, commute time, and cost are just some of the factors you can consider. However, you should also consider other things before finalizing a rental agreement. A rental home can be a great option for those who must relocate quickly and do not want the responsibility of selling their home. No matter why you are looking for a rental home, here are 10 things you should consider before making your final decision.
1. The Neighborhood
New renters should look carefully at the neighborhood they wish to live in. There are many neighborhoods throughout the country where crime is a problem, and this may not be where you want to live. If this is your choice, renting in a different neighborhood may be your best option. Not only do you have to search for the right neighborhood, but you must also look into the neighborhood’s safety level.
2. The Size of the Home
Renting a home with multiple bedrooms will allow you to be close to family members and friends. Some renters do not mind sharing a bedroom with another family member. However, others may want their bedroom and not share a room with someone else. It is important to consider the type of lifestyle you want to live.
3. The Location of Your New Home
Now that you have chosen your rental home, the next step is finding it on the map. You can do this online by calling local telephone directories, searching for it on a site such as Google Maps, or using an app such as iPhone’s Waze that allows you to mark your current location on a map.
4. Available Amenities
Amenities that are nearby can be a big factor when choosing a rental home. For example, will your rental home have a gym, pools, and other recreational areas? Also, does it have nearby stores so you can do all of your shopping in one place? Most of the time, amenities are free with your rent for a specific period. So make sure you pay attention to this detail before signing any agreements. For instance, build to rent communities usually offer free amenities, while other properties may charge a monthly fee for certain things.
5. Price
A big reason why people rent a home is to save money. Yet some properties cost more than others, and you should compare prices within the same city, state, and country. For example, if you are looking for apartment rentals in the United States, you should visit the US Rentals website for more information about prices and other trends.
6. Pets
If your new rental home allows pets, talk to your landlord about what rules apply to pets. Some are more lenient than others. However, you must be able to take care of a pet since some rental houses require that renters take full responsibility for the animal.
7. Natural Lighting
Natural lighting is one of the most important aspects of any rental home. Not only is it important to have a good amount of natural light, but the natural light should also come into the home at the right time. If possible, choose a rental home where all rooms in the house have windows. This will allow for natural light to enter at all times of the day. If not, it is still possible to get this type of lighting through skylights placed throughout your rental home.
8. Safety Features
Renting a home is one of the best choices a person can make when they need to move quickly. However, it is important to know that not all homes are safe. Make sure your rental house has safety features such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an escape route in case of emergency. The home should also have surveillance cameras and alarms in case of a break-in or other incident.
9. Maintenance of the Home
Before signing any rental agreements, know and understand the maintenance required of the home. Some homes come with many extras that are included in the rental price, while some are not included. However, unless you want to spend more money on rent, it is best to check with your landlord about all the upkeep before signing a lease agreement. Some issues may require only minor fixes, while others require major renovations.
10. Agreement Paperwork
Regardless of the exact details of your agreement, you should always make a copy of it. The agreement should be written clearly and include everything related to it. Many renters take the agreement and send the landlord a letter within 24 hours of renting. This is important so the landlord has time to fix any problems with the rental house before you move in.
Conclusion
When looking for a rental home, there are many things to consider before signing a lease with any particular person or property. A lot of these issues may seem irrelevant. However, renters should always be aware of how certain aspects affect their rental experience. You can overlook some things, but others are important when choosing a housing location.