Although renting a house is a lot less stressful than buying a property, it still pays to be picky when looking for your next place to call home.
It's not uncommon for renters to live somewhere they don't like simply because "it's not forever". Yet this attitude can see you being uncomfortable for months if not years, and really - life is too short.
As a renter you are paying a significant amount of money to the owner of the home, so don't take this cost lightly. Be assertive in your property search and settle for what you want - and nothing less.
To help you pick the right place, here are three key features to look for in a rental property:
Is the price right?
First and foremost, you have to ask yourself the question: is the price right? The last thing you want to do is be ripped off by your landlord and end up paying double what you should simply because you didn't do your research.
This is where speaking with a property manager can come in handy. As a qualified property professional, they will possess in-depth knowledge about the market and be able to tell you when prices are reasonable - and when they're not.
Who is managing the property?
Another factor to carefully consider is who will be managing the property. Although some private owners can do a good job, there is the risk that they are not experienced enough to provide the type of maintenance and on-call support you may need.
Professional property managers, on the other hand, should have a robust understanding of tenancy law and be available to promptly see to any problems that may arise.
What do I want to change?
It is always worth asking yourself: if I owned this property, what would I change? If your answers are purely aesthetic, such as "a bigger living space" or a "bigger bathroom", then perhaps you can live with that.
However, by asking yourself this question you may pinpoint possible flaws in the property, such as poor ventilation, noise from surrounding areas or general run-down conditions. It's worth being extra critical as even if you do not purchase the property, you could still be signing a six month lease or longer.
