Finding the perfect rental home can be a fun thing to do – you’ll be excited to find somewhere great to live – but it can also be a challenge. How can you know you’re choosing the right place? How can you be sure everything is how you want it and things aren’t going to go wrong?
Well, the honest answer is that you can’t be sure of that, and it’s always a bit of a risk when you sign the lease agreement – but equally, it’s always a bit of a risk when you buy a house, and the fact is no one can be one hundred per cent sure they’re making the right choice (even if it feels like it is exactly what to do). However, there are some things you should check out before you agree to anything that will help you be as sure as you can be that this is the place for you. With that in mind, here are some things to look for when you’re renting a property.
Location
Although the property itself is crucial to get right – and we will look at that shortly – it’s also very important to check out the location and make sure you’re choosing somewhere that you actually want to live in. Think about how close the property is to the places you often go to, like work or friends and family or your child’s school. Remember, even if you’re moving, you’ll still need to get to these places, and you won’t want to make the journey a long or unpleasant one.
You’ll also need to investigate the area itself, especially if you’re moving to an entirely new town or city. Think about how safe the neighbourhood is and what the crime levels are like, as well as what facilities are nearby (like shops, a library, schools, play areas, or anything else you might need to access), and don’t forget public transport – is it going to suit you if you need to use it? Although it can make the search a longer one, it’s important to know about all these things before making a decision.
Property Condition
You’re going to have a budget when you rent a property, and unlike when you buy a house and that budget is checked by banks and other lenders, when you rent, it’s just a case of showing your bank statement, which means you’ll have no safety net – you have to be sure that this is the right thing to do and that you can afford to rent the property, including all the bills.
The issue is that this can mean you’ll be tempted by properties that are essentially in bad condition – they’ll be cheaper to rent. However, although that might make your budget stretch further, it’s also going to mean you’ll regret choosing the property. It’s far better to choose a slightly more expensive place without mould or damp or cleanliness issues than it is to risk your health and happiness in a badly maintained property.
Of course, sometimes these issues don’t show themselves right away, and if that’s the case, you can – and should – claim for compensation. You might be surprised to find how much compensation for housing disrepair you can get, so it’s definitely not something to ignore.
