6 Common First-Time Home Renter Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Admin
Published Date: 2023-11-01
If you’ve never rented a home before, you might have a million questions. The biggest concern, of course, is how to successfully find a house for rent and avoid common mistakes in the process. To help you, here are six common mistakes made by first-time renters and how you can avoid them.
Mistake #1 – Overpaying for Rent
Some people see a rent price and assume that:
- That’s what they have to pay
- The price must be “fair” if it’s listed
If you find a house for rent that you like, but the price is out of your range, do some research and find out what it should be rented for. Then, negotiate if you can.
Mistake #2 – Not Reading the Lease Agreement
A lease is a lease, right? Not always. Leases are great places for sneaky landlords to tuck in special clauses, extra fines and fees, and other details you might not notice.
Always, always read the lease in full, and if there’s anything that you don’t understand or disagree with, ask for clarification or further explanation.
Mistake #3 – Looking at the Wrong Rentals
It can be confusing to find a rental property. However, you need to make sure that you’re looking for the right type of place. A corporate renter, for example, would probably want a furnished unit with variable lease terms.
Always check to see what type of property it is and what the lease terms (length options) are so that you don’t end up in the wrong kind of housing.
Mistake #4 – Not Knowing About Deposits
Most house rentals and apartment rentals come with some type of deposit. Even short-term corporate renters will usually have to put down a deposit on the property. Make sure you know how much this is and that it’s not too much.
As a rule, a deposit should be a month’s rent. Some places may charge two months’ rent, but again, you don’t have to accept that if it’s not feasible for you.
Mistake #5 – Renting Without Seeing
Pictures and videos can make it tempting to rent a house or apartment without a visit first. However, you should never do that. You don’t know how current the pictures or videos are, and you can’t get a sense of the property until you visit it in person.
Never rent any type of housing without a walkthrough.
Mistake #6 – Not Measuring Furniture
If you’re furnishing your own apartment or house, you need to make sure that your furniture fits. Otherwise, you’ll have to add new furniture to your moving budget.
The other option, especially for short-term and corporate rentals, is to choose a furnished unit and eliminate the problem.
With these tips, you should have no trouble finding the perfect place. Happy renting!
