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UPTOWN Real Estate Group is your luxury international real estate firm. Our team has more than 30 years of prestige and experience. Hablamos español. Houston & Mexico.
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What to Check Before You Rent!
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| Illustration: Brock Davis |
Whenever you are thinking or
looking at a property to rent, it is always advised to be prepared, organized
and ready. Our team came up with a list of questions or things every
prospective renter should take into account before choosing the perfect place to
rent.
It doesn’t matter if you’re considering a house, a condo, a townhouse or
an apartment; this will be your home in the near and foreseeable future, which
is why although you will have an instant emotional reaction to the property, we
recommend to always take into consideration a rational assessment of this
potential future home. Take into consideration the inside and the outside, the
local areas, the amenities, parking and general conditions along with the
complete cost that will come with living in it.
Let’s talk about the inside:
Is the inside of the
property in good condition?
Check for signs of damp,
flaking paint or any kind of infestations.
Are any repairs needed?
Are there any broken items
or furniture?
What type of heating is
available in the property?
Does the heating/cooling
system work properly?
What’s the state of the
insulation?
Does the property have
enough storage space for your personal belongings?
What’s the state of the
electrical system?
Do all the appliances work?
Is the kitchen equipment in
good condition? Is the kitchen comfortable enough?
What’s the state of the
bathrooms? Does the shower work?
Are the sealants around the
bath and shower intact?
Can you alter the property
decoration?
Are there enough telephone
and electrical points in the property? Are they in useful places to you?
Does it have Internet
connection? What kind?
On the outside:
Is the outside
of the property in good condition?
Are external
doors secured?
Does the
property have an alarm system?
Is there a
surveillance system installed?
Is there a
garden?
Who is
responsible for the maintenance of the garden?
What is the area
like?
Are there
available and desirable amenities within easy reach?
What are the
neighbors like?
What’s the
neighborhood like?
Has the property
ever been burgled or damaged?
Important safety
checks:
Have all the
appliances had safety checks? Is the paperwork available to view?
Do the
downstairs windows (if any) have locks?
Is there an
alarm in place?
Are there fire
extinguishers and smoke detectors in the property?
Is there a
landlord’s gas safety record available to view?
Does the
property comply with the latest fire safety regulations?
Let’s talk
money:
How much is the
rent?
What does the
rent include?
What other bills
are you liable to pay for?
How much is the
deposit?
What are the
conditions for the landlord to deduct money from the deposit?
Estimated costs
of running the property
Can you afford
the rent, deposit and running costs?
Other general
considerations:
If anything
needs to be repaired, ask the landlord in writing
If the landlord
agrees to make repairs on the property, get it in writing
Double-check the
property’s inventory before you move in if it applies
Get a copy of
the tenancy agreement and make sure you fully understand it
Get and keep
your own signed copy of the tenancy agreement
Is it possible
to ask previous tenants about their experience with the landlord and the
property?
Check and take
note of all the meter readings the day you move in
Of course, we
will always advice to not do any of these transactions on your own. We are here
to help. Give us a call and we will gladly assist you and answer your
questions.
