You’ve decided to venture out and rent a place of your own, and you finally feel as though you’ve arrived. You’re ready to embrace the freedom and autonomy that comes with having a home to call your own.
Not so fast, though.
The reality is, more than 44 million households in the United States are made up of renters, but not all rental environments and landlords are the same. Some are very tenant-friendly, whereas others can quickly become your worst nightmare. The good news? You can take steps now—before you ever step foot in your new rental home—to make sure that your rental experience is a positive one starting on day one.
Here are some top tips for how to be successful when renting a place for the first time.
Determine Your Apartment Needs… and Wants
One of the most important steps in renting a place for the first time is to determine exactly what you need from your new apartment or rental home. Next, create a checklist of what is important as you begin to scout around for a place to live.
For example, do you own a vehicle? If not, then you may want to choose a rental home or apartment situated near public transportation so that you can easily move around your locale. In addition, will Rufus be joining you in your new digs? If so, it’s paramount that you look for a home that is pet-friendly and thus will accommodate your furry friend.
Also, feel free to make a comprehensive list of what your ideal amenities would be. For instance, consider an apartment community with a pool if you enjoy swimming. Or if you are partial to chrome, consider renting an apartment featuring chrome finishes. Perhaps you’re looking for an apartment with white walls so that you can add your own splash of color to the room using your favorite DIY headboard, area rug, and bed covers.
The main thing is to always focus on satisfying your rental needs first, and accept the fact that the place you ultimately choose may not necessarily have everything on your “wish” list.
Schedule a Detailed Apartment Walkthrough
As soon as you’ve determined what you need and want from your future home, it’s time to walk through a few places to see what tickles your fancy the most. Expect a property manager to accompany you on each walkthrough.
During each home tour, you should take notes of any problems you see, such as dings in a wall or water pressure that is too low. Then, report any issues to the property manager so that he or she will arrange for the problems to be fixed. This is critical because if you fail to report these types of issues, you may end up being responsible for covering the repair costs once your lease ends.
Your walkthrough will also give you a chance to envision how your current belongings, such as kitchenware and dishes, as well as decor, may fit into a given rental home or apartment.
Inquire About the Rental Application Process
As you decide on your perfect rental home, be sure to also ask about your potential landlord’s rental application process. As a first-time renter, you likely won’t know all of the rental jargon utilized in the landlord’s rental application, so if you have any questions about the lingo, be sure to ask him or her upfront. Don’t complete and sign the application until you have all of your questions answered.
Also, let’s say that you and your desired home’s property manager agreed on something during your walkthrough. Make sure that this is included in your rental agreement as well. If you don’t, then the property manager/ landlord might not be under a legal obligation to follow through on his or her commitment.
Once you’ve verified that you fully understand the terms of your rental agreement, the remainder of the rental process should be fairly simple. All you need to do is undergo a comprehensive credit check and then pay an application fee. Then, you should find out if you have been approved for your new rental home in under 48 hours.
Also, make sure to obtain a copy of your rental agreement. It will remind you of important details pertaining to your rental arrangement, such as your rent due date, how large of a fee you’ll pay if you’re late in paying your rent, and even how to request maintenance help.
Stick to a Realistic Budget
Finally, as you adjust to renting a place for the first time, be sure to create a budget that reflects your rental price and other monthly expenses, and then stick to it. Be sure to include such costs as your apartment/home utilities in your budget if they are not included in your monthly rent.
Also, be aware that you’ll likely need to establish a new account with your utility provider, and that this may cost you a one-time fee or an equipment rental fee.
Rent Your First Place with Confidence Today!
Renting your first home or apartment is the natural stepping stone you need to leave Dad and Mom behind and start conquering the world on your own terms. Of course, the liberty that living solo affords you also comes with more responsibilities—including figuring out how to choose the best living space!
Fortunately, picking the right rental home doesn’t have to be complicated. All it takes is proactivity and due diligence upfront. Follow the above-listed tips for renting a place for the first time to begin your independent journey on the right foot.
