Moving into a new place is often an exciting event. Even though you’re tired of all the packing and travel, you feel happy you finally arrived at your new home. However, renting an apartment can get complicated very easily, and create unnecessary stress. That’s why you should be prepared for the move-in process. To help you out, we’ve made the list of all the things to avoid when renting, so you can be sure you’ve found the best place and moved in without any problems.
Things to avoid when renting – not visiting the place before you move in
The Internet has given us an amazing opportunity to browse apartments so easily and save money and time. However, you shouldn’t trust absolutely everything you see online. It’s fairly easy to stage an apartment for photos, while the reality is something different. That’s why one of the things to avoid when renting is not visiting the place before you sign any documents or pay the rent. Sometimes, things you can’t see on pictures can turn out to be real deal-breakers. Therefore, make sure you take a look at all the rooms and the true condition of the place.
Not planing your budget
When renting and moving into a new apartment, you need to plan your budget in detail. This includes your moving costs, but also your rent and utilities. Sometimes, utilities are not part of the rent price, which may come as an unpleasant surprise, especially if you find a perfect apartment. That’s why you should always check what’s included in the rent amount, and see if the price fits your budget.
Thinking that deposits are the same everywhere
One of the main things to avoid when renting is not asking about the exact amount of deposit. This one is related to considering all the living costs when moving into a new apartment, so you shouldn’t forget about the up-front payments, too. Not every landlord has the same requirements, and you may be asked to pay two or even more monthly rents in advance, which can cause great financial challenges. Therefore, don’t forget to talk about all the details, as well as the exact amount of the deposit.
Assuming all apartments are pet-friendly
No matter how much you love animals, especially your lovely furry friend, you need to know many buildings don’t accept pets. That’s why this should be one of the first things you should discuss with the landlord or the building’s representative. Also, even if an apartment is pet-friendly, check if there are any special rules or restrictions you should know about.
Bonus tip: always read the fine print in the agreement when choosing an apartment. One of the things to avoid when renting is definitely skimming through the important info. These may turn out to be very important and cause you some unpleasant surprises.