5 Things you Need to Check Before Renting a property

Renting property is tricky; apartments, condos, houses, townhouses, or any other rental properties can be very problematic, especially if you are strict in your rooms or a germophobe. 

Since everything on the property is pre-made or installed, you will have no idea how long it has been since the property and the furniture was made or installed and did the last tenant or the landlord cleaned the property, which leads to the questions, “Is it safe in here?” “Are the amenities working properly or even working?” and many more questions. 

You can ask the landlord about these things, but just to be safe, here is a list of five things you need to check before renting a property. 

1.) Check for Pests  

Pests are the first thing you need to check because there are times when pests leave their trails or even show themselves at the entrance or the lobby of the property. It would be best if you were vigilant in looking for signs of pests on the property, especially for cockroaches and bedbugs, because you can bring them with you outside the rented property. 

Take action on finding these pests; an example would be spraying insecticides on gaps around the room or laying sticky traps, and if two or more bugs arise, go straight to the property owner and ask about this pest situation. 

2.) Check the HVAC and Thermostat  

The HVAC system is one of the essential amenities on a property, rented or not, as it handles the ventilation in your room. To check the HVAC system, look for HVAC access doors and panels around the property to thoroughly inspect whether their HVAC is working correctly. 

As for the thermostat, here is a list of how to check if its working or not:  

• Check if there are batteries; if yes, test if they still work.  
• If digital, inspect if the numbers on the digital screen are accurate and easy to read.  
• Change the temperature to ‘hot’ and then to ‘cold’ setting and see if it’s working and if the temperature you wish is accurate.  
• Some thermostats have the “test” function. Should the HVAC unit have one, let it finish the test function and then check the results.  
  

3.) Check the Floor and the Walls for Damages  

Upon entering the rental property, you’ll first notice the floors and the walls surrounding you. Inspect the floor for dents and cracks, as these might lead to flooding and cause someone to trip and fall. While at it, check the floor carpet, too, as it can be a home for ticks and other pests.  

Checking the floor for cracks is also a must, especially in the area where the property had just an earthquake or flood. 

Check the walls for cracks, paint discoloration, or destroyed wallpapers, especially when an earthquake recently hit the property. A wall with a few holes is standard; there is a possibility that it’s just a hook drilled for the previous or the current owner’s pictures or art. But these holes can be a possible nest for pests, so we might as well check for them properly.  

4.) Inspect the Electrical Fixtures  

Inspect the electrical fixtures by just turning them on and off. Also, check if the lightbulbs the landlord adequately installed as they may fall on your head, causing injury. Lighting is essential, especially in areas with little natural light coming into the rented property. 

Since we are talking about electrical machinery, check for safety equipment like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Inspect if these machines have light blinking and read what that light means. If there is no light or the text on the device is very little, go straight to the landlord about this matter. 

5.) Check the Bathroom Carefully  

Personal hygiene is critical, and you must use a clean and working bathroom to do your cleaning—the faucets, valves, the shower, and especially the toilet as it ensures proper human liquid and excrement disposal.

Final Thoughts 

Checking all of these might look bothersome to others, especially the landlord. Checking for damages and inconveniences is expected; you just want to see if the property you wish to rent is the right one. After you’ve done all these inspections and all of them passed, congratulations! You now have an excellent room to rent that is safe and habitable. 

Previous post:
Seven Real Estate Tips to Help You Sell Your Home Faster

Next post:
7 Simple Tips to Make your Home Safer and More Secure