Do you want to be self-sufficient or alter your rental apartment? If you intend to relocate soon, it is beneficial to choose what type of property you require and how it should be outfitted before beginning your search for accommodation. All of this is examined in the following guide to help you find your next rental apartment.
1. Decide if it’s time to move
Before looking for rental homes, you should determine whether it is time to relocate. To confirm this, you must consider two factors: the current state of the rental market and your ability to pay the rent. It is critical to evaluate how much rent you can afford.
Making a list of the reasons why you believe you should relocate will help you to clarify your thoughts. Everything fits in it, from the surface of the house to its location, to the services you wish to have in the property and the price. What will really help you make the decision, however, is the fact that the market offers homes that respond to those motivations while also fitting your budget.
2. Prioritize your wants and needs
Again, reaching for the paper and pen will assist you in determining what characteristics of your future rental house, your necessities, you would like to have. If you are crazy about stoves, you will need a spacious kitchen in your home. If you telework, having an extra room that can be converted into an office might be beneficial. On the other hand, don’t forget to inquire about pet policies, because you can’t live without your dog or cat. Your priorities will direct the design of your next rental house.
3. Set a budget and stick to it
The monthly cost that you can afford is the most influential factor in your search for a rental home. It is the initial filter. To avoid difficulties, make a budget and know how far you can stretch ahead of time. Begin by determining the percentage of your overall income that rent represents and ensuring that the figure does not exceed 35%. Any further would risk your financial well-being.
4. Don’t forget to include all expenses
Moving entails significant expenses in the first month that will not be repeated afterward, but there are additional expenses that must be incurred on a continuing basis:
- You will only need to pay once. In addition to the deposit, you will be charged agency fees if you used a professional. The owner may occasionally want a guarantee or a bank deposit. Another annual expense that is dependent on you is continental insurance.
- What you’ll have to pay each month? There is the current month as well as all of the supplies, which will vary depending on the type of energy and its use. You must include the parking space if it is priced separately.
- Your personal fixed costs. Food, transportation, Internet access, subscriptions, gym membership… Although this is in addition to the expenses involved with the property, it can tilt the scales in favor of a rental home or another.
5. Anticipate the cost of the move
In addition to preparing for a future rental deposit, it is important to consider the economic expense of moving to your future house. If you are fortunate enough to have friends or family who can offer you a hand and a vehicle, you can save this price.
If your personal possessions are big and fragile due to the presence of furniture, it may be worthwhile to hire a professional service. A shipping and moving business will present you with an estimate based on factors such as the distance traveled the cubic meters that your things occupy and whether the company has to perform any additional services, such as packing.
6. Alone or accompanied?
Nobody disputes your desire to leave the nest or move to a larger rental house, but if you still can’t afford it, consider sharing a flat. To choose this option, it would be beneficial if you evaluated the list of reasons that led you to take the step and whether these are more powerful than living under the same roof with additional people. For a long time, sharing a flat was not just for students. This option allows you to pay less and save for a down payment on a property.
7. Choose when to start searching
The search for a rental house can be difficult at times, especially in places where demand significantly outnumbers supply. You must consider the period of the year in which you will begin looking for a rental residence. Remember that there are months when peaks are formed and there is a lot of individuals trading. This is what happens at the conclusion of the summer, particularly by students looking for lodgings in a specific place for the next academic year. It also occurs, albeit less intensely, at the end and beginning of the year.
8. Choose the right neighborhood
The most crucial variable, along with the price, is the location of your rental flat. Take another look at your list of objectives and make sure that the community where you wish to rent a property has the services and amenities that are non-negotiable for you. If you do not have children or your love is the cultural offer of your city’s center, moving to an area on the outskirts with huge green areas and play attractions for the little ones would be useless to you.