Deciding where you want to live means having to make a lot of important decisions. Having a plan to follow can make this a lot easier. The following are a few tips for tenants to make the renting experience a pleasant one.
1. Determine Your Wants and Needs
The first thing you want to do is split your wants and needs. The needs have to come first; otherwise, you can make a big mistake when choosing where you are going to rent. It is easy to get what you need and what you want mixed up.
Your Needs
Make a list of what is going to be the most essential for you. For most people, this will include:
- Being in an area that is convenient for you to be able to travel to work
- If there are children having access to a good school system will be a priority
- What amenities are a necessity? If you don’t have transportation, then you may need to rent an apartment or house that is close to conveniences that provide shopping, essential services and medical care that within easy walking distance or with easy access to public transportation.
- Living in a safe neighbourhood is not a want but a need, especially for those who are raising a family.
- Living space is another requirement for your needs. The size of your family will dictate what is needed here. Couples can often live comfortably with a one bedroom, while families require more.
Your Wants
This can vary on an individual’s lifestyle. Wants will be different for singles compared to couples and family.
- Individuals who enjoy the outdoors may want to rent in an area where there is more green space.
- For those who want to rent apartments and condos, they may want this type of accommodation that has extra features such as an in house gym or swimming pool.
- Those with young families may want to be in a child friendly dwelling or, at the very least, a neighbourhood where there are other children for socialization purposes.
- Seniors may want to be in an area that has placed their focus on providing extra amenities for seniors, such as extended health care or social activities.
- Some may want living accommodations that have individual laundry amenities. Or, at the very least, a common area for being able to do laundry.
2. The Cost
The cost of renting accommodations is something that usually takes priority with most renters. By knowing what the needs are, it gives a renter a good starting point for determining what the price range is that they will be looking at. These can vary based on different factors such as:
- The location of the rental property
- The size of the individual rental units
- The number of bedrooms
- The amenities that each unit offers. Such as updates and extras like air conditioning, laundry facilities or entertainment amenities.
- The type of rental accommodation, whether it is an apartment, condo, or house.
3. Budgeting for the Rent
A renter has to be sure that they can cover the cost of the rent. They also have to factor in the cost of utilities. Some rental properties will include the expenses for hydro in the rent. While other rental properties will require the tenants to pay for this separately.
4. Research
Most rental property owners carefully screen prospective tenants. Tenants need to do their research as well as do a proper inspection of the rental property including the unit if applicable as well. As a prospective tenant, there are some specific things that you need to look for.
5. The Interview
Most landlords or property managers will do some type of interview with prospective tenants. You can use this time to gather some relevant information that applies to you, such as:
- What is the length of the lease that you will be required to sign?
- What is the turnover like with the rental units?
- What is the average age group of the other tenants?
- Who does the repairs and cleaning of the common areas?
- What type of security is there?
- Who is the contact person in off hours in case of emergency?
These are important questions where the answers will give you a clearer understanding as to how the rental property is maintained and managed. As well as the type of environment that you will be living in, should you choose to rent the unit or property.
6. The Type of Accommodation
Another big decision for renters is to decide whether they want to rent a house, condo, or apartment. The pros and cons for each of these has to be considered as they are provide something different when it comes to the living environment.
Renting A House
If you as a renter are leaning towards renting a house some of the distinct advantages to this is usually more living space. There is also outdoor space that can be enjoyed. Overall there is more privacy. The downside can be that there is more upkeep that needs to be handled such as maintaining the general needs of the property. Such as snow removal in the winter and grass cutting in the summer.
Condo Renting
Quite often when it comes to condo renting it may be a sub-let. Meaning the owner or renter of the condo is now willing to rent out the condo. If this is your choice then it is important you know what the rules are pertaining to sub-letting. Make sure that this something that is allowed by the condominium corporation. The benefits of condo renting usually consider of a more modern environment with many more on premises amenities.
Apartment Renting
For those who may have a fairly strict budget to follow they may tend to go with apartment living because of the price ranges. Even so it still requires some careful research and with the availability of apartments it allows a potential renter to do this.
The bottom line is that choosing where to live is an important decision and should be one that is carried out with care and the proper time allotted to it to find the right accommodation for each person.
