![\"House](\"http:\/\/www.01webdirectory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/photo_23952_20130324.jpg\")
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It\u2019s time to sign your rental agreement, and you\u2019re either excited or nervous. Whatever the case may be, don\u2019t be too eager to pick up the pen and sign. The house itself may seem wonderful and fit nicely within your budget, but that\u2019s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to renting a home.<\/p>\n
Of course this seems obvious, but how in-depth was your research of the neighborhood? You\u2019ll want to know what you have easy access to. This includes the distance to your preferred grocery store, the school district, the local colleges, and your closest hospital<\/a>. If there\u2019s active nightlife nearby, is the booming bass going to keep you up all night? Investigate the neighborhood from all angles, not just the surface.<\/p>\n It may be within your budget, but what are other people in that neighborhood paying for similar houses? Check out the situation on sites like Gumtree<\/a>. Make sure you\u2019re actually paying a fair price for the house you\u2019re getting. You don\u2019t want to be paying 25% more than what someone in a similar house on the next street is paying.<\/p>\n Do a check of the \u201cwhite goods\u201d – the refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, and stove. You\u2019ll be responsible for any damages these appliances may experience during your lease. If there are any damages before you move in, you need to photograph them and acknowledge them with your future landlord to make sure you aren\u2019t held accountable for someone else\u2019s mistake. While you\u2019re at it, check your water pressure. If it\u2019s weak, that\u2019s a talking point.<\/p>\n Before you move in<\/a>, you can request that the landlord takes care of these things. If everything needs a new coat of paint, now\u2019s the time to mention that. Carpets may need to be steam cleaned, and floors may need to be polished. These things will get your house ready for your arrival, and you deserve to start in a fresh, clean house. Do this before you sign the lease to make sure it\u2019s actually done on time.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s anything in your lease that\u2019s worded loosely, make sure it\u2019s clarified. If you feel terms are unfair, talk with the landlord<\/a>. Discuss these points beforehand. Don\u2019t sign based on word of mouth that your requests have been acknowledged, because if you need to prove these things later, they aren\u2019t part of the record. Make sure you agree with everything on the paper first.<\/p>\n Your deposit should not be going into your landlord\u2019s pocket. Your landlord is required to keep this money protected, where it will continue to belong to you unless you fail to uphold your end of the deal. Be aware of your rights as a tenant. Though you cannot access it until the end of the lease, that money is still yours. If your landlord doesn\u2019t protect your deposit within a specified time limit, they have to return it to you. In some cases, they\u2019ll have to release up to three times the amount of your deposit.<\/p>\n\n
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