If you’re interested in relocating without making the commitment to buy, finding a good rental can serve as a great way to explore an area and see if it works for you. The standards needed to find a rental you’d like to live in might be lower than those in place for a home purchase, but it’s important to make sure your new home (albeit a temporary one) is to your liking. Inspecting everything from door handles to security measures will go a long way towards ensuring your experience in the new rental is a positive one.
Here are some must-dos when exploring a rental:
Check for Vermin
There’s bound to be an evil water bug in your tub every Summer, but the existence of certain types of vermin in a rental unit is a strong sign that you should avoid moving in. Looking for mouse poop (likely on surfaces in the kitchen or in the corners of rooms or closets), as well as opening all cabinets, the fridge, and oven to see if bugs crawl out will go a long way towards ensuring your new home is (mostly) rodent-free.
Fire Check
Are there smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your potential home? If so, you’re in good shape- if not, your landlord is not in compliance, and it’s quite likely that they’re missing the mark on other key components of owning and maintaining real estate.
Water Check
One of the first things you’ll want to do when exploring a new apartment is turning on the faucets. Making sure the water comes out cleanly (not brown) and that the faucets turn off without leaking is crucial to ensuring a pleasant, hassle-free existence in your potential home.
Eagle-eye Check
Start by taking a look at how the building has been painted- are there swipes of paint on the windows? Does your landlord have a lead paint certificate if the unit was built before 1978? A keen eye will go a long way towards making sure you don’t miss anything when first looking at your new place.
Security Check
There’s no sense in moving into a new apartment if you won’t be able to feel safe there. Whether you care about there being a deadbolt on the door, bars on the first-floor windows, or otherwise, adequate security measures given the area are a must-have.
Noise Check
It can be difficult to enjoy a quiet evening at home if it’s not…well, quiet! While checking out rental units, be perfectly quiet and see if you can hear your neighbors, nearby cars/trains, or other aggravating noises that might turn up. Asking about the building’s age and relative thickness of the walls will help as well.
Source: Curbed Philadelphia