Finding the perfect apartment that suits both your lifestyle and budget might not be easy but this site will help you get things easier. Renting an apartment is not something you want to do in a hurry. You have to put a lot of things into consideration when searching for one. In this article we are going to be discussing some of the important things you have to consider when searching for an apartment.
What Are the Things to Look for When Renting an Apartment?
Your apartment/room is a place you go back to after your work day. So, it’s worth taking the time to make the best choice. In capital cities like, for example, London, Berlin or Reykjavik, where the demand is high because of tourism, it is advisable to look for a room before your arrival so you have enough time to consider a variety of options and aren’t forced to decide on the spot.
You can do this with the help of online apartment finder sites. Amazingly, you can rent a room in Reykjavik for as low as £420 per month.
However, before signing the lease to a new apartment, you need to consider the following:
1. Price
The first thing you need to honestly ask yourself is “can I afford to live here?”. Aside from the rental fee, you also need to consider how much you will be paying for utilities.
Set a budget before going out to search for an apartment. Your budget should be based on your income. The standard rule is that you should not spend more than 30% of your income on rent.
2. The Working Condition
If you are using an online apartment finder to search for an apartment, do not make your choice solely on the pictures you see online. You have to arrange a viewing with the agent to see the place in person. As you peruse the apartment, check the working condition of the house.
Ensure everything is in order and that it is working fine. Also, look for health and safety home issues, like bug problems, leaky faucets, rodents, water damage, asbestos, lead paint, mold, dirty air filters, the air conditioning systems, broken windows, rust, and electrical problems. Be sure you are satisfied with the working condition of the apartment before you decide to pay for it.
3. The House Owner
The house owner has a big role in determining how your renting experience will be. So, this is one factor you need to consider in your apartment search. Having a bad landlord (one that does not respect boundaries or one with bad ethics) is one of the worse rental nightmares.
Have a chat with the landlord, ask other tenants or neighbors about the personality of your landlord so you will know what you are getting into. Likewise, if you are going to be having roommates, you should also consider if their lifestyles are a good match with yours.
4. The Lease
Before signing the lease, ensure you read it carefully. Make sure that it fits into your needs. In fact, you should involve a lawyer or a local realtor to ensure its content is legitimate and standard.
5. Location
It is also important you consider the location of the apartment. Look at its proximity to school, work, and the grocery store. You should also look at the safety of the neighborhood. Aside from taking a tour around the apartment, you should also take a tour around the neighborhood.
Have a feel of what the neighborhood looks like. Visit the neighborhood more than once and on different days (weekday and weekends) to know what the street is like in various circumstances.
A lot should be put into consideration when searching for a new apartment from the cost of rent to the location and the right size. However, with so many factors to consider, you need to make a priority list of what is most important to you.
Frankly speaking, it might be hard if not impossible for you to find a ‘perfect apartment’. So, when making a decision, you have to write out what your preferences are. What are the must-haves and nice-to-haves? This list will help you when making a final decision to go for the apartment that looks as similar as your definition of a ‘perfect apartment’.
