Tired of being conned by landlords and agencies? More and more tenants are trapped by hidden conditions and charges that can make rents prohibitively expensive. The next time you are searching for a property to rent, make sure to consider some of these tips to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Look for hidden broker fees
Thinking of renting through a rental agency? Letting agents can sometimes offer more security than independent landlords by making sure that official contracts and standards are met – however, many prefer charge hidden fees, which can make rents even costlier. On top of a deposit, some brokers can be greedy and charge extra for credit checks, drawing up rental agreements, getting referrals and even general admin.
While it’s perfectly legal for these agencies to do this, they should all the time make the fees clear. Many will not tell you about these fees until you are about to sign the contract – to avoid being exposed to these surprise fees, all the time check with a notifying agent about these fees before you start working with them. In fact, you can even shop around every agency in your area to get a quote on their brokerage fees – this can make it possible to budget for these fees and can help you avoid the most costly agents.
Read online reviews
These days, it is easier to research the reputation of a landlord or rental agent by searching for reviews online. There are even sites that offer property reviews like this one condo directory. These reviews can help you uncover issues you may not have noticed. When it comes to landlords and agencies, reviews can help warn you about rising rents or slow response times for emergency repairs. Meanwhile individual property reviews can help uncover hidden conditions that would not be mentioned on display such as noisy neighbors or pest problems. Overall, reading reviews can help you understand the reality.
Compare property prices in the area
When searching for a place to rent, it is a good idea to compare the rental prices of other properties in the area to determine if you are being charged a fair amount. Of course, some properties in the area could be better furnished or could be laid out in a entirely different style, but there should not be an enormous difference in price. You can compare neighborhood prices by using online directories or by using sites like this one.
Read the contract to check what’s included
You should never sign on the dotted line without thoroughly reading the contract first. One of the most significant elements to look at is the services included – what precisely is included in your rental.
First, you should check which furniture is included. Some property owners will provide furniture such as sofas and beds, while others won’t even include white items such as a washing machine or oven. Ask for an itemized list of furnishings if one is not provided.
Second, you should check the billing and services included. Many property owners won’t include an energy bill in the rent, but some do. One of the main services to check is repair and maintenance. While it is fair enough that you’re responsible for any damage you cause to the property, you should not must pay for general wear and tear. Some landlords will try to get the tenant to pay for this and possibly include it in the contract – you do not want to fall into this trap as you could be charged for everything from plumbing repairs to roof repairs, when in fact this should all the time be the owner’s responsibility. .
Some brokers and landlords will try and rush you through the contract signing stage – you should not allow yourself to rush this process and should take the time to read through the contract. Ask questions if you are not sure of something. If possible, ask this question via e-mail so you get written confirmation.
Make sure your deposit is protected
Your deposit must be protected by law – but that does not stop landlords from insuring it. If your deposit is not protected, it can stop you from getting it back after your lease ends. There are sites that you can use for check if your deposit is protected. Often it’s something stated in the contract.
Be sure to read the conditions surrounding your deposit. In general, you will need to keep the property in good repair for your deposit to be returned, which could mean cleaning it thoroughly after you leave. This can include everything from cleaning the oven to removing any stains from the carpet – something that may require calling a professional cleaning agent For. Obviously, you do not want to spend too much money trying to get your deposit back.
Be careful with the rental start date
If you move out at the end of the month, ensure you’re not charged that month’s rent – otherwise you could end up paying for a complete month where you do not even live in the property. Don’t sign anything until the start of the month so you do not legally must pay for the previous month. You may find that landlords and agencies are keen to pressure you into signing the lease at the end of the month just so you can pay that additional month’s rent – do not let yourself be rushed because you haven’t got to pay for a month that you do not live there.
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