Expert Speak
These are some of the crucial aspects that you need to check out first
We have all been through that excruciating exercise of seeking a house on rent and have been cheated at least once about hidden charges or some aspect that we didn’t bother to look. A survey done by us revealed that at least 67% of people have experienced common woes about one or the other aspect of a property they ended up renting. When you are looking for a house or flat on rent, you need to be careful and consider all key aspects with great care as this will be your home for the foreseeable future.
There are several things that one should keep in mind when taking a final call on renting a home. Here’s a quick checklist of all the questions you need to ask your landlord or figure out for yourself before you sign on that dotted line.
All those hidden charges
Everyone seeks a house, which doesn’t only fit their budget but suits their requirements as well. And when you look for a house, you should not compromise on either of these two aspects. It is important to check at the outset the charges covered by the owner and the things you need to look after, like maintenance, wall painting, repair, gas connection, water and electricity bills, etc.
A security deposit sometimes becomes an extra burden for tenants. It’s vital to be aware of the facts related to the amount that the landlord is expecting as a deposit. You need to also have clarity on whether this amount will be refunded at the end of your agreement or if it will be adjusted as rent for the last couple of months. Having a clear picture of all these aspects can help you plan your short-term finances with prudence!
Furnished or unfurnished?
List out your requirements before you start narrowing down your search. If you have your own furniture then opting for an unfurnished house makes sense as the rent is typically lower. However, if you have none, then looking for furnished options may be better as it could save you the cost of buying new pieces of furniture. If the house does have certain pieces of furniture, do a physical visit and see if they will be sufficient for you before you make a final decision.
Travel time required
It’s important to look for a house that’s close enough to your place of work and has clinics and supermarket at walking distance. In today’s fast-paced life, more than the distance, it’s the time taken to travel to and from your office that really matters. Utilizing a travel time calculator can help you conveniently gauge how fast you’ll be able to reach your workplace from a given property. Less travel time certainly helps improve the quality of life.
Water and electricity supply
Never forget or hesitate to confirm with the owner about things such as water and electricity supply. Also, make sure you know how often the area experiences power cuts. You can find out further details by having an informal chat with the neighbours or your friends who may be staying in that locality. If power cuts are frequent, figure out what the power backup options are like. In terms of water supply, if it is erratic then you need to know if tankers are required and whether they come to the location easily and if so, then who pays for the tankers.
Safety first always
Never ever overlook the safety aspect when you’re considering moving into a new home. Make sure you check with the neighbours about how safe the colony or area is and if there is any history of crimes in the locality. Also, check whether the building has security guards or smart security apps installed to keep the society safe.
Pets allowed or not
If you have a pet, it is one of the first few things you should discuss with your landlord openly. You shouldn’t only check if the homeowner is open to you having pets but also if the place is pet-friendly.
Neighbours and landlord
You can check reviews of the locality on Google, but it is equally important to visit the property a couple of times and get to know the neighbours and the landlord well. Factors such as cleanliness of the building and the area must also be taken into account.
Rental agreement clauses
Check and understand your rental agreement carefully and decide the tenure on the basis of what best suits you. Rentals increase each time the tenure is over and this can add to your financial burden. If you plan to stay in the new home for a while, do try to sign the agreement for a longer duration. Check each and every section covered in the agreement. Don’t sign anything without doing a proper check and protect your rights as a tenant.
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