Spotting A Great Broker

Posted on: 1 September 2021

Renting a whole house is quite different from renting a small apartment in a larger building. Even from the get-go, there are some additional factors to pay attention to when you're looking at homes for rent. Here are a few of those factors.

1. Will the yard suit your needs?

One advantage of renting a whole house, rather than an apartment, is that a whole house typically comes with a yard. It's easy to get so excited about simply having a yard that you don't take the time to consider whether the yard meets your needs. So, think about how you're likely to use your own yard. Will you barbecue out there? Will your kids play catch? Make sure the yard is large enough for your purposes, and also make sure the landlord is okay with you using the yard in that way. For instance, if you plan on grilling, make sure the landlord allows barbecue grills.

2. How does the roof look? 

Obviously, if you're renting a home and there's a problem with the roof, it will be the landlord's responsibility to fix it. But even if you don't have to pay for those roof repairs, having the roof fail will likely be inconvenient for you. Leaks can ruin your items, and having a roof replaced makes a big mess and can be noisy. It's a good idea to look at a roof before you rent a home. Make sure the shingles are intact and the gutters are secure.

3. Do you have access to the furnace, hot water heater, and other appliances?

Sometimes the landlord might lock the closet or basement where these items are located so that you, as the tenant, do not have access to them. It's understandable why they do this; they don't want anyone messing with the appliances. However, having access to these appliances can make life a lot easier. You can adjust the temperature on the hot water heater yourself. If your landlord has to call an HVAC technician, you can give that technician access to the appliances without your landlord being present. Renting a place where you have access to these key appliances is preferable.

Before you rent a whole home, make sure you consider the factors above. You'll have a better chance of choosing a house rental that really suits your needs and makes your life easier in the coming months or years.