By Relocation.com Staff
Renting a unit in an apartment complex is not for everyone. Some people may not like how big they are while others may be seeking privacy and want to live in a smaller place. If buying your own place is out of your league, another alternative is to rent rooms or a section of a house or condo. This unique rental situation will give you a taste for what living in a house is actually like as well as provide you with the smaller living quarters that you are seeking. However, you will still need to check out your apartment and ask a lot of questions before you decide to sign that lease and move in. Here are some items to look for:
The Interior:
Before agreeing to the terms in the lease, you should check to make sure everything works. Since you won’t have a superintendant to repair your items, you want to make sure everything is in working order before you move it. Also, be sure to ask about repairs and what you should do if something breaks or needs to be fixed. Oftentimes, homeowners will have direct connects that they work with - such as a local plumber - if any problems should occur.
• Appliances: Check the refrigerator, heating and air conditioning, the oven and stove. Make sure everything works right away as well as noting if the refrigerator goes on right away and whether the freezer is cold enough.
• Walls: If the building is close to a road, can you hear traffic? Can you hear the neighbors? Is there construction nearby? Do you hear dogs? Be sure you know about the noise level and if you are renting a room in someone’s home ask them about what time they wake up and use the shower, etc.
• Water: Turn on the facets and make sure hot is hot and cold is cold. Also, flush the toilet and turn on the shower to ensure that everything is functioning.
• Windows: Make sure they open and close simply, and make sure there are no cracks or holes.
• Electricity: Try every switch in the apartment and bring something to plug in to ensure that the wall outlets are functioning.
• Temperature: Ask where the thermostat is and notice if there is sufficient heat (if it is winter) or whether it’s too hot (in the summer).
The Exterior:
• Safety: Do you feel safe? That's the bottom line. If you don't, don't move in. If you visit the apartment during the day, consider how it will feel coming home late at night, or early in the morning. If you can visit at night, do so to gauge your comfort level. Ask your neighbors about safety, and check in with the police department about crime statistics and their thoughts on the neighborhood.
• Cleanliness: Is the house clean and well kept? Is there garbage in front of the home? Are entryways and hallways well lit? The way the house is maintained is a good sign of the overall quality/character of your landlord.
• Services: Ask your landlord about where the laundry facilities are as well as the local grocery store, post office, banks, drug stores and gyms. Are they close by or far away? If you're on public transit, figure out how long it will take to get to these various places that you might visit often.
• Transportation: If you don’t have a car, you will want to know where the buses or trains are located. Find out how long it would take to reach your work or other frequently
Renting a house is a great alternative to renting a typical apartment. As with any apartment or room search, be sure to ask for references, view the place multiple times and ask numerous questions before you sign a lease and call moving companies.