You are looking for an apartment to rent and already considering paying for the next one that comes your way. Before you do that, it is essential to know there can be a range of pitfalls when renting an apartment, but taking extreme cautions and knowing the right questions to ask will save you a great deal.
There are usually terrible stories circulating about renting an apartment, from dubious landlords who take your money and vanish into thin air to potential clients not reading or understanding the terms and conditions of their tenancy contracts before signing. There can be many issues regarding renting a property, but here is a checklist of necessary questions provided below that can help you navigate apartment hunting before you sign a lease.
What Type Of Apartment Are You Looking For?
Yeah, we already established that you are looking for an apartment, but to make the process easy for you and your agent, it is essential to know the type of apartment you are searching for and what you want in it. If you are not sure of what you want before contacting an agent, you will probably keep going around in circles.
Are you looking for an enormous apartment or something simple? Do you want your apartment in a serene environment or somewhere more lively? And what facilities would you like to have inside your apartment? So, if you contact greater Las Vegas property management or other agents for property listings, these are questions that would help them narrow down what suits you or fits your budget.
What Is The Condition Of The Property?
It is crucial to assess the apartment carefully like you want to buy it. Make sure you find out if it is an old or new building, how ventilated the condo is, and how noisy the neighbors are surrounding you.
There are cases of properties that get damp once it is winter. Before paying up, make sure the property’s condition is suitable for you or if there will be any need to fix anything before moving in.
Are The Appliances and Fittings Working Perfectly?
This is a given to take note of during apartment inspection. Take note of every appliance in the apartment, from the thermostat, HVAC system, light bulbs, door handle, the water closet, and controls to the refrigerator and other devices. Confirm if they are working perfectly, so you do not sign a lease on an apartment with faulty appliances and no evidence to prove that you get it that way.
What Does The Tenancy Contract Entail?
This is another sensitive part that you have to consider when you want to rent an apartment, as any mistake on your part may lead to misunderstanding between you and your landlord. Tenancy contracts can be long, complicated, and seem confusing sometimes; it is the more reason you must understand what it contains before signing the papers thoroughly.
It is paramount to understand your responsibilities, and the same goes for the landlord. Going through this and understanding might be complicated for you, but it is advisable to get expert advice to put you through to know what it says clause for clause before signing a lease.
Are There Miscellaneous Costs Involved?
In most cases, you may have to pay more than the rental fee, and you must know what other costs come with renting the apartment, so it doesn’t come as a shocker to you when you get bills for service charges and additional fees.
Asides from paying for your rents, most landlords will demand that you pay damages charges in case of any damage to the property. Also, if you are renting through an agency, there is a high possibility that you will have to pay admin fees. In whatever you do, make sure you are aware of all the costs involved in securing the apartment before you proceed.
Can You Make Some Changes To The Property?
Sometimes a person’s taste changes over time, or you get bored of looking at the same thing over and over, so you may want to make some changes to your property. Some properties come with strict rules that you can’t make even the slightest change, like hanging pictures on the wall. So, clarify that before you sign the lease agreement.
When you are on the lookout for an apartment, it is easy to pick a passable one because of the stress that comes with house inspections but make sure to follow due diligence, so you don’t make a costly mistake.