How to make the most out of your renting in Ottawa

When you are renting in Ottawa, finding the best deal can be a bit tricky. There are so many different places to look, and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, there are some general principles that will help you find the right place at the right price. Finding a rental that fits your needs is no small task when you are looking for something that is going to be your home for an extended amount of time. Fortunately, there are some general rules of thumb that will make your search a little bit easier. Here are some things you should keep in mind when making your search:

Know what you want

During your search, you may start to notice certain things about a particular place that would make it a great fit for you. Perhaps you fell in love with the neighbourhood, or the space is simply perfect for your needs. While those characteristics may be amazing, if you do not have a clear sense of what you are looking for, you may miss some good opportunities. Before you start looking at places, make a list of the things you would prioritize. Some things that come to mind: location, neighbourhood, size, price, amenities, etc. You may be surprised at how many places you will be able to narrow down just by prioritizing these things.

Stay up to date on rental trends

The rental market is always changing, so it can be helpful to stay up to date on the latest trends. Online forums are a wonderful place to start, and you can also follow the many local blogs and newsletters on the topic of renting in Ottawa. Many of the people who post on these sites are property owners, so you will get a lot of different perspectives on the market and rental trends. You can also follow companies that track rental trends across the country. These insights are useful because you can use them to inform your decisions, especially when it comes to choosing a date. For example, if you are thinking about renting in the summer and you see that most places are going for a high price, you can use that information to decide when you want to start look for places.

Be flexible with your date, time, and terms

If you are looking at a place that is available as soon as next month, be flexible with your date. Remember that you are not trying to get the best deal, but the best deal for you. If you are hoping to move as soon as possible, but you are willing to wait a bit longer, go ahead and move forward with your plans. Likewise, if you are flexible with your date, you can choose a date that is a little bit closer to what you are comfortable with. When it comes to your terms, you may be surprised at how many places do not ask for specific terms. Most places will ask for a term of one year, but many are okay with a bit longer or shorter if you need to make a change. Be up front with terms from the start and make any necessary changes as you go along.

Do not be afraid to negotiate

Finally, do not be afraid to negotiate. Most property owners are not looking to charge you the moon, and there are some ways to negotiate that are safe and ethical. It is okay to ask the property owner if they would be okay with lowering the rent a bit, or if they would be willing to give you a better deal on the term of your lease. Once you have found a place that is available at a fair price, it is perfectly okay to negotiate. Just make sure you are not doing it while you are under any emotional pressure. If you are feeling pressured to get a certain price, or if you are just in a rush, you are not in a helpful position to negotiate

Bottom line...

Finding the right place to rent can be a challenge, but with a little bit of preparation you can make it a lot easier. The first thing you need to do is narrow down your search based on your priorities. Once you have your top priorities in mind, you can begin to look at the various places that are available in the area. Finally, when you find a place, you are interested in, do not be afraid to negotiate. With a little bit of effort, you can save some money and get a much better place than you would have if you did not negotiate.