ad // So you’re looking around for your first rented house or apartment and aren’t sure about some thing that you need to think about and consider before you make the commitment? In this post, we’re going to look at a bunch of things to think about – from money to pets and more – before signing a lease on your first rented property!
Two of my closest friends have recently started renting so it’s been interested to see and hear about their individual journeys with renting and any struggles of problems they’ve had. Which thankfully, isn’t many but like most things, a couple of issues have cropped up over the last few months
Renting is a wonderful option for a lot of people, all over the world. From renting new build apartments to furnished apartments for rent in Washington DC. There’s certainly no shame in renting and I definitely don’t consider it a waste of money, either. But as with anything related to property and money, there’s a lot to think about and a lot that goes into the whole process.
Here are 6 things to think about before renting your first house or apartment!
What your landlord accepts in regards to decorating
When you’ve found a nice place that you think you’d love to rent, it’s worth asking the landlord what their policy is about decorating. These policies will vary; some might be okay with most things, others might have very strict rules on what you can and can’t do to the property whilst you’re living there.
My friends who moved into a rented property a month ago are allowed to do whatever they want, except drill holes in the wall, which I think is quite a common rule for rented properties.
Where you’re going to store things until you’re settled
Sometimes you might have to move quickly; perhaps you’re moving out of your parents house because they’re moving to a different location and you can’t go with them or maybe the lease on your previous place is due to be up soon.
Whatever the reason, sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we need to get out – and quick! So if you’ve found a nice place, here is where you’ll need to consider where to store some things until the time is right to move them in. Somewhere like Currie Easy Self Storage is a good option!
Budgeting for the future
Renting is a big financial commitment and whilst you’re renting, money is always going to be coming out of your account to pay for your rent, utilities and food, you still have to start considering saving and budgeting for the future. Renting for the first time can be a HUGE wake up call for some people in how they manage (or don’t manage) their finances.
This is where you’re going to need to cut down on those little things that add up, start knuckling down on your savings (especially if you want to buy a house) and just being a bit more sensible with your money.
If the appliances are all ready and working
Okay so those friends that moved into their first rented property last month have had a pretty smooth sailing experience – apart from one issue with the fridge. I’m not sure why but they needed to buy their own fridge, which was due to be delivered 2 days after they moved in. They thought that’s fine, they can buy a couple of takeaways and store some essentials in a cool box to last them.
The fridge didn’t actually arrive until 10 days later – after the order was cancelled unexpectedly THEN the item wasn’t loaded onto the truck. So they lived off of takeaways for over a week – which is far from ideal. Stupid little things like that definitely need to be considered before moving into your first rented property!
If your landlord accepts pets
Some landlords will accept pets, others won’t. You’ve just got to ask as you go along and then decide whether it’s a huge problem if their don’t. One of my best friends has a kitten in her rented house and the landlord is absolutely fine with that, which is great. If a pet isn’t a priority for you, then great, it won’t matter. If it is, it’s something you’ll have to think about and discuss.
Getting organized
Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! We all hate it. But we’ll all have to do it at some point or another. So get organized and stay organized and it will make the process of all the paperwork a lot more easier and a lot less stressful. Invest in folders and specific drawers where you can keep all the important documents, files and paperwork you’ve accumulated over the course of your renting period. You never know when you might need something!
[…] 6 Things To Consider When Renting Your First Property — Jenny in Neverland […]
I think whether you rent from a private owner or a large apartment complex makes a difference in expectations. Big complexes in my area allow you to drill holes in the wall to hang pictures, because they spackle and paint after each tenant leaves. I’d also ask what the process is for emergency repairs, like if a pipe bursts or heat/ac goes out. My apartment has a 24/7 emergency number for things like this and someone comes out within an hour. Friends who’ve rented homes from private owners usually have longer waits for repairs.
These are such great tips for anyone considering renting! I wish I considered all of this when I rented for the first time. I didn’t feel happy when I realised (too late) I couldn’t really decorate nor have a pet!
These are very important things to consider when renting a property! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Great tips.
Renting can be daunting but these are all important points to think about. We’ve just decorated our living room and had to ask permission to do it.