People are often split between whether they love or hate apartment hunting. Due to the rising cost of living, apartments are a great choice for many people as they are convenient and often cheaper to rent. However, finding the perfect one that you want can seem difficult at times, especially when you don’t want to settle. Some people want a place where they only have to stay for a minimum of six months and others want to find a place that they can call home for years until they are able to buy a place of their own.
When you rent multiple apartments, you begin to learn what to look for in the perfect one for you. There is nothing worse than signing a lease only to realise there are problems you’ll have to live with until it is up for renewal and you can get out of there. To help avoid these, we’ve come up with a list of things to look for when you rent your next apartment.
Make Sure the Location Is Right
An apartment may look nice but if it’s going to double the time it takes you to get to work in the mornings and evenings, it’s not going to be worth the extra cost. It is important to make sure that all the places that you need to get to are within close proximity to your potential apartment. Figure out how long it will take you to travel to certain areas to see if the location is ideal for you.
Do They Allow Pets?
Whether you already have a pet or are thinking about getting one in the future, you need to know what the landlord’s stance is on allowing pets in the apartment. Many will be alright with cats, but they may not want dogs destroying the carpets. This is also a good question to ask if you are allergic to certain animals and want to make sure you won’t run into them on your way to and from the building.
Check the Cell Reception and Connectivity
Nowadays, something that is important to people when apartment hunting is their cell reception and whether they will be able to get reliable Wi-Fi. After all, we are a society that can’t live without those two things, and you don’t want to rent an apartment only to find out no one will ever be able to call you, or you won’t be able to stream your favourite show on the weekends. You are also able to search which internet providers will provide you with the best speed for the area, so you know beforehand what to expect when you move in.
What Is the Storage like?
When you move into an apartment, you want to make sure that there is enough storage to keep all your household items and clothing. Some apartments come with closet space built into them, and some will surprisingly have lots of cupboards in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to go around opening the doors to make sure the spaces are big enough.
Will There Be Parking Nearby?
If you own a car, you will want to know if there is secure parking available for tenants. Some apartments have a car park underneath the building, whereas others will have allocated parking outside. What you don’t want it to struggle finding a spot when you get home from work when all you want to do is relax. You can always speak to the current tenants and ask what they think the parking is like if there are no allocated spaces.
Check the Heating and Air Conditioning
If you are going to be renting an apartment where the weather tends to lean on the cooler side, you will need to check that the heating works sufficiently and is available in all rooms. The same goes for if you live in a hot climate, you will need to ensure there is air conditioning installed. If there isn’t, you can always inquire if you can install your own while living there. You can also ask what the heating bill is currently like from the current tenants so there aren’t any nasty surprises when winter arrives.
Listen for Any Disturbances
Something that people don’t pay enough attention to when viewing a property is the noise level surrounding the apartment. If the walls are too thin you will be able to hear what is going on in your neighbour’s apartments or the high levels of traffic on the streets below. If the apartment is on a lower level, you need to be aware that it is likely you will sometimes hear the people above you. The best way to check for any disturbances is to visit in the late afternoon or early evening when more people are likely to be home.
Check the Water Pressure
If you want to enjoy a decent shower, you need to check the water pressure. Some apartments, even brand-new ones, have insufficient water pressure, which will make your showers last longer. It’s also a good idea to check what the plumbing is like by filling the sinks and draining them while flushing the toilet.
While apartment hunting isn’t always the most interesting way to spend your time if you look for these things you can guarantee that you will find one you love.
