Having your own home is a blessing. However, not everyone gets to own a house of their own. Be it for financial reasons, logistics, or sheer convenience, some people end up living on rent for the better half of their lives.
One of the pitfalls of temporary accommodation is that you eventually have to look for another place once your rental agreement or lease expires. And with that, the whole process of looking for another place to live, packing, moving, and unpacking begins all over again. One can argue that people who live on rent are accustomed to the process, but there are always a few things that you need to consider before moving into a previously rented house. These include:
Proper Amenities And Utilities
When moving into a new place, you want to make sure that all the necessary utilities are readily available. This includes water, airconditioning, heating, and possibly even an internet connection. Whether you choose an apartment downtown or opt for modular workforce housing plans, it is important to keep an open eye for basic amenities to ensure an above-average lifestyle. Nobody likes dealing with water shortages or poor internet services on a daily basis!
Read the rental agreement thoroughly
Never sign a piece of paper before reading! Rental agreements sound simple, but they often aren’t. It is essential to clarify specific details about rent payments, damage, and repairs, and most importantly, notice periods in the instance of you having to vacate the place. It is always a good idea to have the document proofread by a legal expert. Sometimes people miss out on specific details that eventually lead to exhausting legal procedures. Though if you’re used to living on rent, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Check The Town Records
It is always smart to run a background check on the house you plan to rent out before actually moving into it. Naturally, you don’t want to live in a place with a criminal history or skeletons hanging in the closet space, do you? Though the cases may have long been closed, authorities can sometimes reopen them at a later date. Being caught up in the proceedings can be quite a hassle.
Other than that, it’s good to know the value of the land you are living on, the built-up area, and a general overview of the surrounding properties. This information should be with your landlord or with the local town hall library that maintains records.
Make Sure The Place Is Pest Free
Even if the new landlord says that they’ve taken care of this, always call pest control for an inspection. You want to be absolutely sure the place is pest-free before you finally move in. Bed bugs, spiders, and roaches are some of the most common pests that can go unnoticed in transitional periods between occupancies. You might not be able to see them at first sight. They might not even be there, but one can never be too sure. It’s better to have the place fumigated beforehand to be on the safe side. Consider having them exterminated well in advance to make your new home a place of comfort.
Check The Doors And Windows
Ensuring safety is critical. You would want to make sure that all the doors and windows open and shut properly. Loose joints, faulty hinges, and fragile handles all need to be thoroughly checked as the previous tenants may have left them in bad shape. In fact, it would be a good idea to request the landlord to change locks while you’re at it. You can never be too safe when it comes to your home security, especially in a place that was previously occupied.
Conclusion
Living in a previously rented house brings its own sets of challenges that you need to overcome. Following some of, if not all, these recommendations can help make the process relatively easy. You’re better off being vigilant about these things instead of overlooking them. After all, being prompted to move out as soon as you move in is something you definitely won’t be looking forward to!