Step 4: Contract
Knowing how long your lease is for is crucial to being a renter. This will help determine if you want to live there, and also will help you know if and when your monthly rent will increase. In this contract, you will know and should follow all rules that pertain to your property or housing arrangement.
Step 5: Convenience
Convenience mostly refers to the facilities included and the location. Available parking, bicycle storage, distance to public transportation, and range to common businesses or places you go to are all conveniences to consider. Visitor rules and pet allowances are also crucial if these are important to you.
Step 6: Companions
This is a very important step for people in college or just out of college. If you plan on having roommates it is highly necessary to consider how many people will be helping pay for rent as well as how to split up the living arrangement spaces. Making sure these are reliable people is very important so you do not get stuck in a sticky situation.
Step 7: Comforts
Comforts has to do with any amenities that come with the apartment, house, condo, or whatever space you are renting. Any furnishings it comes with, if there is a washer and dryer available, major appliances, screens, windows, fire extinguishers are all comforts that are definitely reasons to rent a place. Otherwise, you will have to supply these and take them with you when your lease is up.
If you follow the above 7 steps, you should be set to rent for your first time. It is always important to see the place you are renting, too, which is a no-brainer. Reading everything in a contract or lease will ensure you do not get taken advantage of. Lastly, remember to ask the landlord anything and everything that is not clear to make sure you have a smooth renting process!
Susan McCullah is an established writer who has created dozens of informative articles about credit scoring, identity theft, budgeting, taxes, debt, and finance. She has worked in the Credit Reporting industry for 15+ years and is FCRA certified. Susan regularly conducts in-person presentations and webinars on the topics of credit scoring formulation, raising credit scores, and identity theft.
