RentalProperties.com offers these tips for helping to make your renting experience a pleaseant one. Preparing for the rental experience ahead of time can help avoid problems with your new home or landlord later. Talk to others who have rented before, especially if you can find someone who has rented in your new buidling or neighborhood.
Tip # 1 for Tenants: Shop early and often!
Finding your new rental property begins with doing your homework about the location you are interested in. If you are moving from a different area, try to get the local newspaper delivered to you for a few weeks before you need to rent. Read local websites (such as Philly.com if you are moving to Philadelphia). Compare neighborhoods and rental prices online as well by reading both local and national rental websites.
Since the best rental units often rent quickly after they are listed, a good tip if to check the local paper on the day the paper is published (or even the night before if you can get it). Check your favorite websites at least once per day for new listings.
Tip #2: Landing the Inspection Appointment.
Unless you are really pressured for time, and willing to put up with a few ( ? bad) surprises, you are going to want to see any apartment or home you are going to rent. The first step then is to impress the landlord, broker or leasing agent on the phone that you are the kind of tenant they would want to rent to.
Try to get your 'must have' questions answered on the initial phone call, to save both you and the landlord undue time and stress?
When is the property available? What is the lease term? Are pets or smoking allowed if these are crucial to you? Does the property have the minimum number of bedrooms and baths for your needs?
If the basic facts about the property are right for your situation, make an appointment to see the property with the landlord.
Tenant Tip # 3 : What to do before you go to your property appointments:
1. Buy a sample lease from an office supply store. Leases specific for your state are sold individually or in packages in most office supply stores ie Staples. Leases are supposed to be written in fairly simple language, but they often contain multiple paragraphs covering many contingencies. If you read one ahead of time, you'll have some idea of the questions you need to ask.
2. Drive around the neighborhood to get a feel for how far the property is from the amenities you need: stores, school, train, highway etc.
3. Make a list of your needs and make a copies so that can fill in one at each property you look at. You might even want to bring a camera and take a couple of pictures to remind yourself of each property if you look at several.
4. Bring along a friend, spouse, room-mate, lover, whatever...but don't bring a crowd! Too many people may make the landlord nervous, besides giving you too many opinions to mull over.
The information on RentalProperties.com is intended for informational purposes and not guaranteed. Please consult with an attorney or your own professional advisor regarding your specific situation.
