Trying to find the perfect home or apartment can be difficult. You have to consider many different things, such as your budget, the neighborhood, and the commute. It’s normal to check out multiple rentals before you make a final decision.
However, there are certain things that you should look for in a new place before you sign the lease.
1. Check for a Well Maintained Home
When you visit homes or apartments for rent, you want to make sure that it’s been well maintained. This is particularly important if you’re looking for long-term rentals. You should pay attention to several things while you’re there. Here is a list of things to check:
– Make sure the walls and flooring don’t have any kind of peeling or water damage.
– Are there any weird smells? If so, it may be a sign of mold.
– Check the doors and windows to see if they are working correctly. For windows, you want to see that they properly seal out the outside air.
– Check the HVAC system to see how they work. Can you maintain comfortable temperatures? Is the heating or cooling too weak?
– Are there proper security measures in place to keep out intruders? Is the door built sturdy? Are there cameras installed for surveillance?
2. Look for Helpful Amenities
Amenities in the rental can make your life a lot easier. For example, if your building has a gym, it’ll be more convenient to work out. You won’t have to drive out to your local gym. If your building has a free washer and dryer, it can make doing laundry very easy. Think about what kind of amenities would add value to your life. See which rentals offer these amenities.
3. Test Out Appliances
If you’re getting a furnished condo or home, then you must test out the appliances. Check out the oven, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher to ensure that they all work without any problems. If you find that they have issues and you like the place, talk to the landlord so that you can come to an agreement. You want to get everything in writing so that if the landlord promises repairs, there’s a legal obligation to do so.
4. See If There Are Any Pests
You must get a rental that is free of pests. Pests like mice, rats, and cockroaches can be challenging to get rid of. If the landlord isn’t able to get rid of these pests before showing the place to renters, then there may be a severe problem. For example, there may be loose piping in the infrastructure, which allows mice to move all over the apartment and building. Even if the landlord brings in pest control to block out holes dug by mice, it will continue to be a recurring problem.
5. Check the Water Quality
Try running the water in the kitchen sink, bathroom, and shower. You want to see that the quality of the water is good. You want to look for things like small debris, discoloration, or even a weird taste. This may be caused by the landlord not fixing issues with the water system. The problem may be caused by rusted pipes or bad filtration.
You also want to check the water pressure and temperature. If the water pressure becomes too weak, it may become frustrating to cook and take showers. The water temperature should also work properly. You should be able to turn the knobs and get cold and hot water with no issues.
These are five things you want to look for when trying to rent out a property or apartment. Obviously, there is a long list of things that you’ll need to check for. But these five things are some of the non-negotiables that need to be checked off on your list before you agree to a lease.