Renting a house can provide you more privacy
than renting an apartment. To make sure you
have a good experience, take your time and think
through your lifestyle objectives and your
responsibilities to your landlord. Moving into a
new place can turn into a nightmare quickly if
you have expectations that are not based on
fundamental realities. Asking a lot of questions
before you sign the dotted line can save you
from trouble later.
Your budget
Take a hard look at your finances to determine
your ability to make ends meet. Add up your
monthly sources of income and make sure you
have adequate cash reserve in your savings
account if something goes wrong. In addition to
your rental payments, budget for utilities, water
and garbage expenses. How much will you
spend on food? It’s far less expensive to cook at
home than to drop in at a fast-food restaurant.
Set limits on extras that can quickly take a dent
out of your cash flow. You’ll have commuting
expenses, such as car maintenance, fuel,
insurance and licence fees. Your personal
expenses include laundry, personal care items,
clothing and gifts. It’s probably better to over-
estimate your spending to give yourself a
spending cushion.
Roommates
You can certainly cut your expenses by sharing
your house with roommates. Living together can
ruin a perfectly good friendship, however.
Compatibility issues you never imagined can rear
their ugly heads easily when you share a living
space. Does your prospective roommate have a
history of paying bills on time? You’ll want to
trust your roommate to enter into a partnership
with you to share expenses, but also to meet
other living obligations. A roommate may not
hold to the same standard of cleanliness as you
do. You may enjoy quiet evenings at home in
front of the TV. Your roommate may prefer to
invite friends into your home for frequent parties.
Have a serious conversation about such issues
with your prospective roommate before you
cement your obligation.
The house
Take a good look at the house you want to rent.
Consider the time it will take to get to work or
school or the distance. Ask about the utility costs
and if any are included in your rent payment.
Check out stairways for lights and security.
Neighbourhoods can project a distinct
personality. Try to get a sense for the kind of
neighbours you’ll have. Consider nearby
shopping opportunities and restaurant options if
you enjoy the occasional meal out. Discuss home
maintenance with the landlord. Will you care for
the yard, and if so, does the landlord provide
lawn tools? Who do you call when an appliance
fails, and how quickly will the landlord respond to
home emergencies?
Rental agreement
Your landlord will probably ask for credit
references, personal references and your
employment history. If you include a copy of
your credit report with your application, you may
gain an edge over other prospective renters. Your
rental lease binds you legally to the terms it
outlines. Read it carefully and make sure you
understand everything you agree to when you
sign the papers. If you are sharing the rent with a
roommate, your signature could make you liable
for your roommate’s property damages or non-
payment of rental obligations. Go through the
house with your landlord and make a list of
existing damages before you sign the lease. Ask
your landlord to sign the list and keep a copy in
your files.
Source: www.ehow.com

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