Table of Content
This probably won't come up as an issue, but if locks aren't changed often, there's a chance old tenants might still be able to access your house. Ideally, the landlord would change locks every time someone moves in or out. However, if that's not what they say, you should negotiate new locks for your peace of mind. If something breaks, you don't want the stress of not knowing what to do about it. Find out how the landlord handles repairs, so you can follow the correct process and get things fixed in a timely manner. While some states require refundable deposits under certain conditions, others do not.
While your landlord will be available through phone or email to address repairs and other concerns, sometimes things happen or they go on vacation. Make sure you know who to call if you have a pipe issue or another emergency. When you go see the rental home, keep an eye out for smoke detectors. Knowing your parking situation may affect whether this is a good option for you or not, depending on your budget and safety concerns. If you're able to overlap a few days for both leases, do so as it will allow you to move a little slower and have enough time to clean your other apartment. Letting agents will often quote fees without adding 20% Value Added Tax.
How much notice do I get before the landlord visits?
Most leases last for 12 months, then switch to a month-to-month agreement. However, it’s a good idea to ask upfront how long the lease is for, as terms can range from six months to 18 months. If you want to settle in one place for a year or two, then a six-month lease may not be best option for you.
Best of all, it’s free for the landlord and just $29 for the applicant. You might feel pressured to say yes to a rental before you've looked into it thoroughly due to the often competitive rental housing market. Be prepared when you go to look at a potential rental home by knowing which questions to ask when renting a house. As such, it is one of the most essential questions to ask when renting a house or apartment.
What Is the Application and Screening Process?
Also, it is essential to ask if the landlord is open to renewals. The cost of utilities is a question that can affect the house budget. Renting a home use for the first time is often a big and scary decision. But you can determine whether or not the house fits your lifestyle by asking the right questions before you sign a lease. In addition, you can prevent hidden lease scams with these 15 questions to ask before renting a house. While it may seem odd to ask about this before you even have a lease signed, it could be important down the line.
Make sure to check with your landlord before renting so that you avoid breaking the lease terms when you decide to move out. If you have pets, you’ll want to be sure your apartment allows them and that your pets fit within the pet policies established in your lease. Pet policies vary between landlords and usually spell out limitations on the breed, size, species or number of pets. Ask your landlord about any specific pet restrictions they may have. Ask about fees, too, like a one-time pet deposit or a monthly pet fee, so you can account for them in your budget.
for real families who keep it simple
There is a rent increase over time because other contracts call for an adjustment of the rent. You can make the calculations immediately if you know how much the rent might rise. Having the answers to these questions will put you in a much better situation when talking to home-owners and when reviewing lease agreements. Remember never to rush into any situation without fully reviewing all legal aspects ahead of time. This will be first month's rent, last month's rent and any security deposits the owner is demanding.
Additional fees you need to pay upfront or each month , which may or may not be refundable, might come up. If the tenant doesn’t want the landlord to enter the apartment, he/she should contact the landlord as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements. A few don't allow roommates due to rowdy house parties, and others aim to have only couples live in the house. Be honest with your potential landlord about the possibility of a roommate now or down the road. Also, ask them how fast repairs occurred on the house, if applicable, to the break-in.
#2 Is rental insurance required?
If you don’t see the possibilities of ever having a roommate in your apartment, this question doesn’t matter. If you see a future possibility of having a roommate, you should inquire about the possibility of that. The landlord may demand that the roommate signs a separate contract, or you can handle everything. Mostly, the landlord should agree to repair broken appliances, electrical appliances failure, roof leaks, and similar faults.
The first question you should raise with your landlord is the cost of monthly rent. Furthermore, finding an acceptable payment method, such as paying rent online, can better your communication with the landlord. Similarly, it’s a good idea to ask what would happen in the case that you needed to break your lease and move out early. Some landlords are happy to let you out of the lease without penalty, while others might withhold your security deposit or require you to pay a lease break fee. Here is a list of questions every potential tenant should consider asking the property manager, landlords, or realtors before penning down the rental agreement.
Always do your due diligence and make sure you know what you're getting before you make it a legally binding contract so you can avoid any messy rental issues. Make sure you read any clauses that have to do with the timeline of the lease agreement to go over payment, due dates and any early termination fees. If month-to-month, how long do you have to let the landlord know you're leaving, for example. The more you know about questions to ask before signing a lease, the better protected you’ll be against any surprises or upsets once the lease starts. You’ll have little recourse to argue against the things you formally signed off on in the lease, so it’s critical that you get all of your questions answered before agreeing to the terms. Hopefully, by asking the questions above you’ll get a good idea of what you’re getting into and will have a stress-free rental experience.
This is especially true if the rental has electric heating or if there's a baseboard heater instead of a radiator. “If you're on the hook for your electric heating bill, your bill may end up $100s higher than you anticipated,” she warned. Finding out what utilities are included is absolutely essential.
You can avoid making the mistake of choosing the wrong place by asking the landlord questions about their property. The landlord must give reasonable notice before entering the apartment and may not abuse his/her right to enter. Price, available inventory and your own commitments and schedule determine the best time to rent an apartment. If possible, search the area around the rental home on a crime map and drive around at night to see if you feel comfortable.
You can’t blindly enter a deal without knowing rent details, lease terms, and any applicable policies. Most landlords require you to pay more than just the first month's rent when you move in. In fact, you typically need to come up with first and last month's rent as well as a security deposit. Depending upon the monthly rent you'll be paying, this can be a significant sum of money. Before looking at the place person, ask the landlord what the application process looks like and screen for the right tenant. Knowing the application process ahead of time will help you come in prepared for the showing.
If you want these things done, it's best to negotiate before you sign the lease when you have more leverage. Leases frequently contain restrictions on subletting or short-term rentals of either your entire rental or rooms within it. If you want a roommate or to offer your apartment as a vacation rental, it's important to understand any limitations. Find out if there is a pet deposit as well as restrictions on the number or type of pets you own. For example, some apartments will allow dogs but not puppies, and others will restrict you to one or two pets total. However, make sure your lease doesn't include any special provisions giving your landlord more power to retain your money.
Always ask if the credit report inquiry is hard, which affects your credit score, or soft, which does not. Determine if the screening process is the right one for you, and always be skeptical of those asking for your personal information. A good letting agent will include an EPC on the property advertisement, and take a copy to the viewing. But even if they don't have one to hand during the viewing, they should be able to tell you what the property's rating is and what that might mean for your energy bills. Be informative and happy to answer important questions about the property.
