Choosing the right place to rent is not easy. There is a delicate balance to strike between the quality of a property and the cost of renting it. Letting yourself get swayed too far in either direction can cause you endless trouble down the line. Even without that, there is still plenty to consider. Including the details of the lease contract, general policies for the property, and more. So, how does one go about picking the perfect rental for them and their family? Well, we are here to try and help answer that question! Our list of factors to consider when looking for a rental will hopefully shed enough light on the matter to make it easier for you to pick out a suitable rental property when you next go looking for a home!

The property’s condition

Now, the very first concern, whether you are looking at a house, apartment, or anything in-between, is the property’s condition. Do not be taken in by appearances. Even if everything looks brand new and freshly painted, there may be hidden issues. For example, a fresh coat of paint can easily conceal mold or a general problem with water damage. So, you might want to ask for a referral to the previous tenants and have a chat with them. Or you may even choose to have a house inspection organized! If you overlook issues and they fester, you could end up losing your rental security deposit. Of course, if there are obvious issues, such as exposed wiring, mold, damaged furniture, and similar, you probably won’t rent such property no matter how cheap it is!

The location of the property

The location of a property can seriously affect both its desirability and rental price. Suppose a property is located close to a public transport hub, school, or convenient shopping location. In that case, it will likely cost more than even a much more luxurious property in an inconvenient area. If you have your own mode of transport, you would be well served by looking for such ‘less desirable’ locations since you will probably be able to find underpriced properties simply because they are out of the way. On the flip side, you also have to consider your move, especially a long-distance one. Keep in mind that it can be more challenging to organize a transfer to another city if you opt for such rentals. Since it would be far from the facilities, you would need to plan everything more thoroughly and get everything you need to settle in quickly well in advance.

Space and amenities available are important factors to consider when looking for a rental

You might be tempted to rent a larger property if you can afford it, even if you do not really need the space. This is, however, almost always a waste. Chances are, you could get a smaller property for an even lower price. So, do not let flights of fancy rule your decisions. And make sure to only rent a house or apartment big enough for your needs. In addition, it is vital to confirm the amenities that come with the apartment. You want to make sure you have all the appliances you will need, a parking spot, and a good security system at least. Air conditioning should also go on the list if you live in an area with a particularly severe climate! Anything else is a bonus and should not be prioritized since it will likely significantly increase the price.

Utility conditions

Every landlord will specify whether or not your rent will cover utilities. However, this is a point you should try to negotiate over. It might be better for you to pay flat rates included in your rent than pay the bills yourself separately. It would protect you from sudden shifts in the utility prices and unburden you from having to worry about whether you have forgotten to pay a bill. On the other hand, if you are worried about the success of your rental application and want more control over the rent price, you can suggest being the one to pay the utility bills, even if the original offer had included the utilities in the rental price. Always remember that this point is easily negotiable!

The contract

It is imperative to go over your rental contract carefully and with a keen eye. In particular, you want to make sure you are protected from sudden changes in rent price and confirm the degree of modification you can make to the rental property if you want to perform minor touch-ups. Even though the new law demands any raises in rent are announced sixty days prior, you want to make sure you are as protected as possible. You can even negotiate for a clause to be included that the landlord cannot change the rental price for a certain period of time. If you fight for such a clause, you will want a minimum of two years’ guarantees. Anything less will still leave you scrambling to find a new place relatively quickly if the situation sours.

Rules and policies

This is particularly important if you plan to take care of a dog or some other pet in your rental. You can’t just assume that every property allows pets! In fact, they might be entirely banned, particularly in rental apartment complexes. Even if they are not, there might be clear-cut rules as to where the pets are allowed, when they can be taken out for walks, and other factors. Other essential policies to address ahead of renting concern noise levels, shared facility rules, the right to parking lots, and similar. It is also useful to discuss the landlord’s stance of bringing in your furniture or minor renovations since some dislike any changes made to their property.

Final Word

This draws our list of factors to consider when looking for a rental to a close! Hopefully, it will help you plan your search for your perfect new home smoothly. Just remember to carefully weigh your expectations against the benefits you would derive from them and their cost. If you do, we are sure you will be just fine.