Renting out an apartment has its own troubles; there are certain things that you need to be aware of before renting an apartment especially if you are a first time tenant. Read on to know more.
While the economy of 2014 might show some subtle signs of improvement, the real estate segment might not turn out to be best bets for every end user. People, who are looking out for rental accommodations, will have to be extra cautious as a tight rental market awaits them. This is because buying property has lost out considerably on their significance due to driving property prices.
However, this does not deter any end users from renting out apartments. But what do you do before you decide to make up your mind about renting out an apartment. Needless to say that extensive searching is one of the first options that every tenant will have to look for? But is that all? Well, not really and if you are a first time tenant, you will have to be extra cautious. So what are the tips that you need to look for if you are a first time tenant – read on the following paragraphs.
Set the Location and a Realistic Budget
Finding a location is important depending upon your taste and lifestyle. Finalizing the location is important because, if you are single professional you would probably look for a locality that is close to your workplace; or if you are a student you would ideally look for an apartment that is close to your college.
Once the locality has been finalized, you should then try and focus on the budget. Just as the location is essential, so is the budget. Age-old wisdom denotes that one should spend no more than 30% of his or her annual compensation on rental costs. So, it is advisable that you keep this in mind and thereafter go ahead with your planning.
Keep Aside a Budget for Extra Expenses
Just chalking out a budget for the extras comes in handy. This is because you might not be paying for only the rent – you might have to take care of the electricity bills and other bills such as cable. All these hidden costs put together with your house rent can turn out to be much more than you think. So, if you are on the hook for utilities, include these in your budget lists. Carefully calculate all these lists and then end up making the final decision.
Present yourself as a Desirable Tenant
Rental markets are quite competitive so have your budget and references ready even before you start searching. In certain markets, as a tenant you will be expected to pay a security deposit for renting out an apartment; if you are going through a broker, you have to pay him also.
It is very important that you present yourself as a desirable tenant to your prospective landlords; it is a good idea to having your parents co-sign the rental document. Another good option is to carry a letter from your employer as a proof not only your employment but also your identity as a working professional. Some prospective landlords sometimes tend to run a cross check of your credit in order to settle any kind of scores related to money.
Check a the Neighbourhood Properly
Just as chalking out a budget is very essential for renting a house, conducting a thorough research about the locality is also required. Choose an apartment based on certain parameters such as maintenance of the building and the area where the apartment is located. What is the crime rate of the locality? If possible interact with your prospective neighbours and find out more about the locality. If required visit the locality in more than one occasion.
Put Down Everything on Pen and Paper
After finalizing everything, it’s important that you put down everything on pen and paper and make sure you keep a copy the document with yourself for future references.
Author Bio: A skilled writer and an ardent blogger, Sampurna Majumder loves creativity and challenges. She has been providing her expertise to the world of new media for over a year now by penning articles and posts for various real estate websites that cover all kinds of information about real estate. The above post provides some tips on renting an apartment.
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