Whether it’s your first or nth time moving into a rental house or apartment, you might find this checklist for renting a house very useful. Renting, whether for short- or long-term is not as simple as checking into a hotel where you swipe your card and everything else is already taken care of for you. There are certain things you have to take into consideration, requirements you have to submit, criteria you need to meet, and more.
So when you’re looking for a house to rent, take note of the items you will find in this checklist to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Determine Your Budget
What is your budget? Are you willing to spend more on a luxurious apartment, but not have enough money left for bills or food? Or will you opt for a house that allows you to still live comfortably budget-wise? This is a serious part of renting a house. You will be tied into a contract that can typically last for a year. So you must be sure that you can sustain rental fees while you’re there.
Requirements and Other Costs
Depending on your landlord, there are several requirements you have to submit and criteria you need to meet. For instance, most landlords would require a minimum household income to rent out a house to you. They may also run a credit check, ask for security deposits, rental insurance, upfront rent, and more. If it’s your first time to rent a house or apartment, you may also have to look for a co-signer. If you are a pet owner, you might have to pay an additional deposit or monthly pet fee too.
Location and Transportation
Location is one of the most important things you need to take into consideration when choosing a house to rent. Find out what the neighborhood is like, nearby establishments, schools, groceries, and other places of businesses that you would like to have easy access to. If you do not drive a car, find out about available modes of transportation. If you drive to work, find out what the commute is like. Make sure there are sufficient parking spaces too.
Other Important Points to Consider
There are plenty of other points you need to consider and it would be best for you to create your own checklist for renting a house. Here are the usual questions you might want to ask as well.
- When and where do I make rental payments? Who do I make the payment to? What payment methods are accepted?
- How soon can I move in?
- How long is the rental contract? What happens if I move out before my contract ends? What will be the arrangement if I choose to extend my contract?
- Is there a limit to the number of people that can live in the house?
- Will I be paying for my utility bills or will the landlord shoulder that?
- Are there heaters and air-conditioners in the house?
- What appliances and furniture are available?
- Are there any other fees on top of my monthly rental fee?
A checklist for all furniture and appliances in the house may come separately too. Here’s an example of a tenant property checklist.
Call a Trusted Realtor for Your Home Rental Needs
Hopefully, the above checklist for renting a house gave you an idea of what to expect especially if you’re a first-time tenant. There are many more that you need to consider that we may not have mentioned here, but this should be helpful. If you’re looking for a house for rent in Clermont, Orlando, Minneola, Mascotte, Groveland, Oakland, Montverde, Howey-in-the-Hills, Leesburg, and the nearby areas in Lake County or any other county in Florida, you can get assistance from Bridlewood Real Estate Company. Our team is more than happy to help you find the perfect home or apartment for rent and will make sure that this process will be simple and easy for you. Contact us for inquiries.
