Renting your first home or apartment can be exciting. However, you want to vet your prospective landlord carefully to ensure you’re making the best decision about your housing. WiseBread.com recommends the following tips, which will help you identify any potential issues with a landlord before it’s too late.
You want to ensure that a rental is priced properly for the market. However, when a price seems too good to be true, keep in mind that it probably is. This could be because there is a serious issue with the unit that is not being disclosed to potential tenants. You may also find that the apartment you inquired about initially is no longer available, but you may be urged to check out a higher priced unit instead. This is a common ploy used to fool renters, and it’s best to steer clear of any potential scams.
You may also find that the rental is in need of numerous repairs. One or two small repairs shouldn’t be cause for alarm, especially when your landlord is upfront about the issues during the walk-through. Multiple problems of a more significant nature, such as shoddy floors and carpets, holes in the walls, or problems with plumbing fixtures, typically indicate that an apartment is in a sad state. Also, make sure you perform a thorough inspection during the walk-through to make sure repair issues aren’t being concealed.
When it comes time to start discussing the lease, you should be provided a complete document. Be extremely cautious about leases that are incomplete, even if the landlord assures you that details will be added later. In this case, you’re agreeing to terms that you’re not fully aware of, which puts too much power into the hands of your landlord. Don’t be pressured by a landlord that insists you sign a lease now or risk losing the unit. You should be provided ample time to sign without undue pressure.