What Should I Look for When Renting an Apartment?

Renting an apartment is not a simple matter of looking at ads and finding the one you like the most. There’s a lot more to it than that.

As that’s the case, we wanted to give you a complete guide of the things you should look for before moving.

1. Make sure the price is right.

We are sure that you know what you can afford and what you can’t, but you still need to plan your budget carefully.  Consider your income, to ensure it can cover rent and all the other monthly costs, you’ll have, including food. Then make sure a sizeable chunk is left out which you can add to your savings. Also, don’t forget that the whole move and most likely the first entire month will cost you a lot more than the rest of the months, as there’s the security deposit, paying the movers, buying things, and more.

2. Check everything in the apartment before taking it.

You need to properly inspect an apartment before paying for anything, signing any documents, and finally moving in. These things include checking if every appliance, plumbing, and lights work. At the same time, check that everything necessary – the ones you’ll need all the time (electricity, water, the toilet, shower, etc.) are present. Make sure you check that the cell reception is good as well. That’s a common thing many people forget to check. Check if the windows open – it might seem silly, but it’s another thing that people don’t consider and end up without proper ventilation or an escape route in case of a fire.

3. Make sure the heating works

Ensure that the thermostat works well and that the apartment’s heating system is the one you want and need.

4. Check the bathroom and kitchen

These two areas in an apartment are the ones that encounter the most usage and the ones that can sustain the most damage that will reduce their value. That’s precisely why you need to check both of these areas very carefully and make sure everything in them works correctly. Also, make sure that there’s no damage, mould, and more. If you notice something that’s not right, you can easily convince the owner to fix everything otherwise you won’t move in.

5. Be careful with the landlord

If the owner of the apartment appears too eager to rent you the place – be careful. That can often mean that something’s not right. The main thing to know here though is that if the landlord doesn’t seem right to you, then don’t take the apartment. Look for another one.

6. Check the walls and the neighbours

The apartment might be great, but that doesn’t mean the neighbours are. Be in the condo for a while when first visiting to see if the walls are too thin which means that you’ll hear everything. Furthermore, see what the neighbours are like. Are they loud? Are they problematic? These things are always important when living in a building with a lot of neighbours.

There you have it, the most important things you need to worry about before renting an apartment. If all of this checks out, and possibly a few other things that might come to mind, you’ll end up getting a great apartment.