5 Tips For Renting A House For The First Time

Congratulations on your upcoming move! Moving into your first rental property or apartment is an exciting event.

However, before you sign the lease on your first rental, there are a couple of things you should know. As a first-time renter, maybe you are unsure of all the different things that you should be aware of when choosing a place to rent.

5 Steps To Renting A House For The First Time

5 Essential Tips Before Renting A House For The First Time

This article outlines several things you need to know before moving into your first rental house or apartment. Knowing these things prior to your move will make your first renting experience as easy as possible and will help you avoid potentially stressful confrontations with your landlord or property manager.

So without further ado, let’s get into 5 things you need to know as a first-time renter!

1. Know How Much Money You Need To Pay Up Front

Many landlords or property managers require that you produce a monthly rent up front, usually, this is in addition to a security deposit. It is good to be aware of exactly how much money your landlord will require you to produce upfront and security deposit so that you can have it on hand when you draw up the lease.

Some landlords also require that renters pay an application fee when applying as potential renters, so bear this in mind as well.

2. Put Your Roommate On The Lease or Rental Agreement

In order to have a healthy relationship with your roommate or roommates, you must have total confidence that he/she will always meet their financial obligations in your renting agreement. Your roommate should have their name on the lease agreement and should equally share in the responsibility of delivering months rent on time.

Having an unlisted roommate can cause all kinds of issues in your relationship with each other and can give you more financial stress than is healthy. Have a detailed discussion with your roommate about responsibilities, property damage, deadlines, and finances prior to moving in together.

3. Know What Furniture Your Rental Needs

Will your new rental house or apartment come partially furnished? If so, you will need to know what furniture to purchase to make your space comfortable and homelike.

If you receive a tour of the rental prior to moving in, ask the landlord about the furniture in the house and whether or not it will be there while you are renting. Takes notes and photos to help you remember what furniture your new home will need.

4. Know The Terms Of Your Lease

Leases are sometimes tricky and can leave room for uncertainty if they are not properly worded. Have a detailed discussion with your landlord with your roommate present to talk over the terms of your lease.

Questions you should ask during this discussion are things like, are utilities included in the rent price? When is the rent due? Does the landlord require you to carry renters insurance? What about lease cancellations in the event of an emergency?

Knowing how everything in your lease works, will ensure that you are informed about all of the important details as well as seemingly minute details that could go unnoticed but are essential knowledge for tenants. Understanding perfectly the terms of your lease will also help you form a healthy relationship with your landlord that is filled with open communication and transparency.

5. Know About What Changes You Are Allowed To Make

Another important topic to discuss with your landlord involves changes to the rental. Are you allowed to make minor changes to the space? What about hanging pictures on the walls or changing the paint color? Is there any furniture in the rental house that you would like to be removed? Talk about it with your landlord!

You should always ask for permission regarding any major changes that you are unsure about prior to making them. This will ensure that your landlord trusts you and also will help you avoid having issues with your landlord further down the road about not requesting permission.

How To Rent a House

Renting a house for the first time is a great undertaking. As a first-time home renter, you naturally want to know where to begin, especially when comparing how to rent a house versus renting an apartment for the first time. This brief but informative guide will help get you on the right path.

How Does Renting a House Work?

Knowing where to start when renting a house can be daunting, but a little knowledge and planning can make the transition easier.

Renting a house is similar to renting an apartment in that you’re essentially borrowing from a property owner. This means monthly costs are lower than if you took out a mortgage, which is one of the biggest advantages when considering renting a house.

The following are some of the key steps to renting a house for the first time: 

• Understanding your budget
• Knowing your credit score (credit report)
• Scheduling house tours
• Making a list of necessities

What Do I Need To Rent a House for the First Time?

Many considerations come to mind when understanding how to rent a house. Some are easy to overlook, but it’s vital to make and stick to a checklist to ensure the renting process goes as smoothly as possible. 

Here are some tips for renting a house for the first time to help prepare you for move-in day: 

• Research the area beforehand
• Become familiar with tenant-landlord laws for your state
• Read your rental agreement carefully before signing
• Walk through the property with the landlord upon moving in

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Get In Touch With A Professional Moving Service To Help You Move Into Your First Rental

As you prepare to move into your very first rental house, make the process easier by working with a professional moving service. Licensed movers can help you with anything from packing, loading, transporting, and unloading. If you are a first-time renter and you have a lot of details to sort out regarding your upcoming move, why not have a team of expert movers takes care of that aspect of moving for you?

Here at On The Go Moving, we have a team of skilled movers who are trained to carefully and efficiently execute each stage of the move for our clients. It is our goal to remove the stress from off your shoulders so that you can focus on the excitement of moving into your very first rental house.

To learn more about the different moving packages we offer, contact On The Go Moving today to speak with one of our moving experts.