Having rented for a while, I certainly know my stuff when it comes to getting the best out of your rental properties. Regardless of how often you move, it’s important that you are making the right decisions for yourself first and foremost. Renting can be costly and if you hope to own property one day, then it’s something that you’ll want to also factor in. I’ve put together some helpful tips for renting so that if you’re renting for the first time or need advice on how to get the best experiences renting, then here are some tips.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Ensure safety by doing your research on the area
It’s important that when you’re renting, especially somewhere new, you need to know where you’ll be moving to. This means a lot of research to ensure the area is safe for you and your household is important. There are going to be areas that are more suited to what you’re after than other locations. For example, the most popular spots as mentioned on Zumper are College Park and Baldwin Park in Orlando. Having knowledge of what’s the most popular or perhaps has the lowest crime rate, is going to help find the right fit for you.
The worst thing that you can do is find something and it turns out to be the wrong property for you and your needs. By that point, when it comes to rentals, you’ve ended up spending a lot of money and the hassle of getting into a property.
Don’t overpay when you can find a property for less
When it comes to finding a rental, don’t just go for the first listing that appears. There are going to be some properties that are overpriced and others where you can do better with the budget that you have available. So with that being said, make sure you’re comparing what you find to what else is on the market. It’s better to always look at the prices of other rentals to ensure you’re not being charged a fortune for something that you could get cheaper elsewhere. You don’t always have to pay beyond what you can afford when it comes to renting, otherwise, you’re going to have very little to spend on yourself. The average rent in Orlando for a 2-bed apartment is $1,731 so be sure to use this information to look for the right prices.
Ask questions
Be sure to ask questions when you’re viewing properties and if you’re unsure about anything that’s been asked of you or that the letting agents are explaining. On some occasions, you may go through the landlord directly and if that’s the case, then make sure you’ve asked them all the necessary questions needed. Don’t be afraid of looking like you don’t know how the process works because we all had to enter the property ladder from the bottom somewhere along the way.
Get advice on the contracts
Contracts are an important one because you’re signing a legal document that is binding for both you and the landlord. As such, there’s very little that these contracts can’t contain and so combing through each contract with a fine-tooth comb is going to be necessary. Contracts are put in place to protect both parties but if created for the landlord, then there is likely going to be a more favourable contract for them in place. Ask someone if you’re not sure what you’re reading or looking out for because you don’t want to be signing something when you are questioning certain parts of it.
Check deposits are secure
Deposits are often secured so that at some point down the line, you’ll be able to get your deposit back. As long as you’ve not breached anything in your contract or caused any damage to the property that exceeds wear and tear. It’s important to ensure that your deposits are secure, regardless of whether or not you go through a letting agent for your rental. It’s very important to do this in order to protect yourself and the money that you’ve put down.
Check inventory and take time-stamped photos
When we moved into our last rental, we reminded ourselves that documenting any evidence of the property was important. So when you come to check your inventory, check it in detail, and be sure to take time-stamped photographs of EVERYTHING. I know it sounds excessive but trust me, it’s important to do so otherwise some landlords have a habit of making claims damage was caused when it was clearly there before.
Pay your rent on time
And finally, always pay your rent on time. Even if you’re having to take it out of savings because you’ve not got enough from your paycheck or you’ve overspent during the month. Even if you need to make a transfer from your credit card, pay your rent on time. It’s going to avoid any issues with the landlord and cause any potential breach or fallout when it comes to your deposit.
Being a renter is great because there’s nothing tying you down for the long term. However, it’s important to use these tips in order to not get taken advantage of and to find a place that you can call home for the next year or more.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post with Zumper. All words are my own.
