Whether you are embarking on your first or last rental experience, finding your preferred apartment that fits your taste, budget and lifestyle is not easy. Below is a list of some of the top considerations you should look into in your search journey for a new apartment.
The following aspects should be looked into during apartment searching before signing off the lease.
1. Price
The first thing to consider you affordable you want to live. You need to clearly check through your budget before you land on your preferred apartment. Online researches are important in ensuring you are enlightened about the rental charges in the neighborhood. In case you are not willing to pay the price for a specific location, you can find alternative location or cut back on your expenses.
Cost sharing with another person is another recommendation of meeting the rental charges. A red flag could be when the rental charges for a home in a neighborhood is higher compared to other homes in the same neighborhood. You can negotiate with the landlord over the price once you have carried out research on the apartment.
2. Quality
Online pictures of neighborhood have really fooled many apartment hunters. Arranging a visit to the apartment should therefore be planned prior. There are other cosmetic issues which should be taken into consideration by the landlord such as cracks on walls, broken blinds. This is a proof that the landlord has not been taking care of the apartment.
While pursuing the apartment, you should also consider other health and safety measures such as bug infestation, broken pipes, leaky faucets, dirty air filters, mold, broken windows, electrical problems, rust and non-operational heating and cooling systems.
3. Landlord
Your landlord performs a crucial role in determining your renting experience. It can prove to be a rental nightmare when you have an unbothered landlord who does not show up after up signed the lease. To avoid such cases, you should schedule regular meetings with the landlord. When you decide to move in, you can consult your roommate on their overall experience with the landlord.
4. Roommates
Before you move into an apartment with strangers, you should first build a rapport with them. It is most likely that the roommates are looking forward to have a rapport with you. You should keep in mind that your roommate should be respected and vice versa. You should ensure that your lifestyles, tastes and preferences are a match or close. When you are altogether, it becomes easier to call on your landlord in case of any problems in your apartment.
Fully furnished and serviced apartments are another alternative you can go for in case you have found the right roommate. These apartment offer short term rentals which suit your stay in an area.