5 Useful Tips For Renting Your First Home

Renting your first home is a big milestone. It’s a time in your life where you’ll discover what it means to be off on your own.

When you do find a place you like, don’t be tempted to just put your name on the lease and move right in. Make sure you do it right by following a few simple tips.

1.    Understand Your Lease

A lease can be a difficult read for the average person, but you have to go over it carefully. Even if you ask the owner about the terms written on the document, they may not fully understand the legal implications themselves.

It’s usually a better idea to have a lawyer take a look for or at least someone who knows what they’re talking about. If the place has a property manager, they should be your go-to for clarifications like this. That way, if you have a question, you can get the right answers.

2.   Find Out Who to Get in Touch With

When the heater gives out, who do you call? What about when it comes to plumbing or other issues?

In most cases, it’s up to whoever is acting as the landlord to get that sorted out as long as it falls within their responsibilities as stated in local laws. Beyond that, the responsibilities of both the tenant and the landlord should be stated in the lease.

3.   Know What You Can and Can’t Do

Everyone who’s looking to rent their first home will want to add their own personal touch. After all, you’re going to call it home for the foreseeable future. However, you have to remember that someone else owns the property, so there are limits to what you can do.

Make sure you get your landlord’s permission before making any changes. No matter how minor you think it is, ask them for clear guidelines about what is and isn’t allowed.

4.   Establish a Good Relationship with Your Landlord

You don’t have to become their new best friend—just be respectful and reasonable. At the very least, you’ll be in a professional relationship and should act accordingly.

This goes both ways. You should also look for a property with staff that will also treat you professionally. When interacting with tenants, they should always be able to do so with courtesy and respect.

5.   Be A Good Neighbor

Most properties will require some sort of background check before allowing you to become a tenant.  That means they prioritize the safety and security of the people living in the property.

Screening tenants also helps build a safe and peaceful little community. Peace of mind is part of what makes a place home, after all.

Finding the perfect rental is as much about the property itself, and the people managing it go hand in hand in finding the perfect rental. Here at American Real PM, our job is to make sure that both the tenants and the owner of the property have a place that they’re happy with.