Tips for finding the Perfect Lease or Rental Home

Are you Searching for the perfect place?

Moving house is always going to be stressful and choosing a home, whether rented or leased, means you’re held to a contract which generally has penalties if it’s broken. So choosing well, choosing with knowledge, is going to bring you a better outcome than leaping into a place because one thing shone out to you. Taking stock of what you actually need as a family or as a single means you’ll find a home that works for you.

Your Tenancy Check Sheet is a document (see last pages) which can be kept alongside you as you search for the best property. Print this off to take with you as you check out each home possibility. This is also the time to take out as much emotion as you can and begin to deal with the facts, especially if you’re looking for a long term tenancy.

“Sight Unseen”

Sometimes you’re in the position of researching and signing for a home without actually viewing it, which means you’ll be doing all of the investigation online. It would, of course, be preferable to view the property personally, but when this is not possible here are some ideas which make the process more comfortable.

• Look at the address on Google Earth or a more updated map system if you have access.

• Spend some time on ‘street view’ to give yourself a better feel for the suburb.

• Make sure the property’s online photos are current and that everything in these photos is actually in the home. The Property Manager should handle a request for more current photos.

• View the photos carefully to see what isn’t shown, not just what is. Check in to see where you’ve assumed something is there and clarify.

• Is there a friend or acquaintance locally who could view the property for you?

You will more than likely be asked to sign (and have witnessed) a ‘sight unseen waiver’ which is usually a one page document with wording similar to this:

"To the Landlord, We (the undersigned) are willing to sign the Tenancy Agreement and provide all necessary supporting documents to a tenancy agreement, although we have not personally viewed this property. We acknowledge that we have seen photographs of the property, by viewing the property listed on the internet."

Checking out a potential new home

When checking out your potential new home there are some other clues to ensure you are taking on a property suited to your needs and your personal taste.

This list is never going to be complete, but it gives you an insight into how much more you can find out about your potential home beforehand.

Use all of your senses while walking through the home and check on these points.

• How did the suburb feel as you arrived?

• The check list talks about garage space, but think also about your immediate family and will you still be there when they have their own cars?

• How does the exterior look, neat and tidy? No trees hanging far over the gutters?

• Stairs – if there are stairs can you easily get your furniture up?

• Use your nose and get a ‘smell feel’ for each room. If there’s carpet then aim to look behind any strong room freshener as this is often used by a previous tenant to cover other ingrained pet or other smells.

• Does the place feel and look clean?

• Are there enough power points?

• Check the laundry for your needs – a double tub; room for a dryer etc.

• Did you find small itchy spots on your ankles? This could point to fleas which are easily solved prior to taking possession of the keys.

• Check that the power and light points are flexible and easily used.

• Turn on the shower and other taps to check the water pressure.

• Look for signs of mould and mildew inside and out.

• Floor Coverings: Ensure that these are suitable for your requirements regarding softer living spaces for foot comfort versus the possibility of stains on light coloured carpets.

• Window furnishings: are they adequate for your needs?

Many of these maintenance/cleaning points can be solved or recorded and generally wouldn’t stop you from choosing a perfect place, they’re just listed here so that you enter into your agreement with knowledge and confidence.

Noise Levels

Come back and check the noise levels at night, become aware of the road traffic, emergency services and a possible nearby train track. These things are not always present, but if they they are, they have the potential to make your home life less pleasant.

Pet Friendly Yard

Make sure you consider what your particular pet needs in the way of fencing (height and solidity), safety and shade protection. If your property choice comes close to your goals then talk to the property manager about any other requirements to see if they can be met.

Gardens

You may be sold on a particular property because it has the best lawn or an amazing shrub garden. But stop here and consider:

• Do you know how to look after a garden or do you just enjoy looking at it?
• Does your lifestyle offer gardening time?

Unkempt gardens will cause stress and cost you money at the end of your tenancy. Find out how much is expected from you regarding the gardens and, if a great garden enhances your world, look at investing in a monthly gardener unless you absolutely know you’ll take care of them.

We do wish you well with your rental experiences and am glad for any assistance this booklet provides.

Your Tenancy Check Sheets:

https://www.neutralizingwithlove.com/

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