Questions To Ask The Landlord

You want to find the perfect place to rent. After all, it’s going to be your home for the next 12 months or longer. However, some rental ads sound too good to be true. You need to ask some basic renting questions first. Check out these tips on renting so you won’t end up moving into a place that might be your worst nightmare.

Step one: Call about the ad

• Ask the owner for an exact description of the property. Ask for the total square footage of the home and of each room.
• Verify that the rent is not more than what was listed in the ad. Rents can be negotiated. Find out about deposits.
• Make sure the home is available when you need to move in. Some rentals are advertised before they are ready to be lived in.
• Make sure any special requirements you have, like pets or accessibility, can be accommodated.

Step two: Walk through the home

• Check the appliances to see that they are working. Also check sinks and toilets for leaks.
• Examine the electrical system. Are there too few outlets? Are the outlets two-pronged instead of three? If so, the wiring could be outdated, and could pose a safety risk and inconvenience.
• Look at the amount and type of storage space. Your belongings probably take up much more room than you think.
• Take a tape measure and check to see that your furnishings will fit in the rooms.
• Ask about parking. Is it street, parking lot, or covered garage parking? How many spaces does each rental unit get?
• Get the maintenance policy in writing. What repairs does the rent cover? What are the emergency and non-emergency contact numbers for repairs?
• Look for evidence of insects or rodents. Are extermination services covered in the rental cost? Is there a problem and what is being done to fix it?

Step three: Before signing the lease

• If you observed problems during the walk through, find out when they will be taken care of. If things are not up to standard and you want to rent anyway, you may be able to negotiate to lower the rent. If you come across as mature and responsible, the landlord may be willing to give you a price break as well.
• Find out what day of the month the rent is due and what the penalty is for late rent.
• Look at the lease for a move-in date. Can you move in early if need be?
• Investigate neighborhood safety. Check out crime statistics for the area with the local police department. Drive through the neighborhood on a weekend night to observe the noise and activity levels.
• Always get a copy of your lease and keep it in a safe place.