Renting an apartment is quite an important choice. When you consider that most people give almost half of their salary to rent it is definitely a decision that needs to be made very carefully. Continue reading this article to make sure you’ve landed on the right apartment.
- The location. It might be the most beautiful apartment in the world, but if it adds, say, 45 minutes to your daily commute, then it might not be worth your time. Waking up two hours early to go to work is not only likely to make you a lot more grumpy – tired – unproductive, but considering the weather – traffic you can often find yourself late for work which you won’t want. In addition to transportation, regarding the location, pay attention to how safe it is during the day and at night. Take a walk both in the morning and in the evening to be sure.
- Can you afford his expenses? Many times you are impressed with the apartment and reserve it quickly so that someone else doesn’t get it without really having analyzed its monthly costs. So apart from the rent, there are many times when you don’t calculate the operating and communal costs that a house may require. Pay close attention as many who have not done the right calculations are forced to leave the apartment they have rented as they cannot afford it.
- What condition is the apartment in? Before proceeding with an agreement with the owner, make sure to do as thorough a check as possible. If you find any problems, let the owner know to fix them before you agree. If the house you are going to rent is furnished, don’t rely on the furniture, but mainly on the structural elements that will be difficult to fix later. More specifically, give basis to:
->If the roof insulation is correct and there are no signs of mold
->If the insulation on the windows – doors is the appropriate one and air – water does not enter.
->If there are external cracks
->If the floor is uneven and needs repair
->If there are plumbing – electrical problems. - Size. You should calculate that the size is enough to cover not only current needs but also future ones. Many people rent a house without taking into account the available storage spaces, as a result of which they do not fit and later regret it.
If you have a family or plan to have children in the near future you should seriously consider looking for a larger home that will be able to accommodate your future needs.
If you are single or androgynous without children then things are easier since you can calculate the needs. - Who were the previous tenants and why are they leaving?
An important piece of information to find out if the apartment you want to rent has structural problems is to contact the previous tenant who left and ask them. He is really the most suitable to inform you that you have a problem with the apartment or if everything is OK. If the landlord does not want to provide you with information about the previous tenant, it is definitely something that should concern you enough. Maybe he wants to hide something from you? Perhaps the previous tenant left because of problems with the apartment and not simply because they wanted to change houses. - The contract you will enter into – Payment of Guarantee.
When the 1st contract you sign for an apartment should not exceed 2 years even if its price is tempting. Maybe the owner wants to bind you knowing the structural problems of the apartment.
If after the first 2 years you are happy, you can later if you believe that the rental price is really a bargain and it is in your interest to sign a long enough contract even for five years.
If the owner of the apartment wants a short-term contract, keep in mind that at each renewal he may ask you for an increase.
For this reason, the plan should be clear from the beginning – the duration of the contracts and the payment of the guarantee you will give.