If buying a house is a big decision, finding a house for rent is not in any way smaller. Finding the right apartment to rent is a big decision as it affects your life and lifestyle. It affects everything from your commuting time to where you eat and sleep to where you shop for groceries and whether you can easily host guests and friends. Before you finally make up your mind about the area and apartment, make sure you have asked the right questions before renting. Doing your homework is very important because after you have signed a tenancy agreement, it may become difficult to cancel it. Here is a set of questions that you should ask when looking for an apartment to rent:
What are the tenancy terms and agreements?
You as a renter should be thoroughly aware of the lease, from where it begins to where it ends. The very first question to ask before renting an apartment is to be very sure about the terms and conditions mentioned in the tenancy agreement. If you don’t understand some aspect or are unsure about something don’t hesitate to ask. Make sure there is no communication gap between you and the landlord. Tenants can ask for Title of the property and necessary documents such as waste disposal receipts, electricity bill, etc.
What is included in the rent?
Some amenities in the flat may be covered in the yearly rent, while others may not be. Ask the landlord before signing the tenancy agreement, if charges for cleaning, electricity connections are covered. Some landlords charge a fixed amount for electricity, while some get a separate meter installed. Most of the times, the landlord pays for water and waste disposal charges to the authority and this may have been included in your rent. Ask about all this issues and make sure you are satisfied before renting.
Can I decorate/remodel my apartment?
Some landlords don’t allow the tenants to even put a nail in the walls. Ask the landlord if you can hang things on the walls? Are you allowed to paint the walls as you want or change the tiles? If he refuses to allow you to hang things on the wall, you can assure him by promising to patch up the wall holes and paint them back to the original colour before you leave.
What is the maintenance/ security policy?
Mostly the tenants pay the maintenance/security amount to the resident associations or management bodies of gated communities. So as to not enter into any conflict later, ask the landlord the model by which this payment will be made. If there is a private maiguard for the building, know how payments/salaries are paid to him.
What happens when emergency repairs occur?
A broken washbasin, failed electricity meter, a dysfunctional switch, leaking roof, who would bear the cost for all these? The tenant or the landlord? In most of the rent agreements, these things are not spelt out and they often lead to squabbles. Simply ask the landlord.
What is the policy for receiving guests?
Guest policy varies from landlords to accommodation type and even to the gender of the tenant. Some landlords are casual about guests and don’t bother much if they get the annual rental on time. In independent houses or flats, guests and visitors are not always an issue, but in spaces where the landlord himself lives within the building, there might be some restrictions. Again, male tenants get more leverages on guests than women. But it always reasonable to know.
How safe is the house?
Ask the landlord what safety measures the property has, including a watchman, double door lock or a CCTV camera. You can also ask or research about the neighborhood’s safety from neighbours.
What is the arrangement parking space?
Ask the landlord if the parking facility is covered in your yearly rent. Generally in a gated community, tenants get to enjoy the parking space allotted to the landlord. In independent houses, the parking spaces are taken on first come first get basis
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