Moving into a new place is a fun and exciting adventure – a new chapter that has begun. But, many people don’t exactly know what to look out for when viewing potential homes; where do you start? What are the main areas to look at? Well, it may feel daunting at first, but if you take it step by step, you’ll be a home viewing expert in no time and be renting your perfect home before you know it. That said, here are some tips on what to check in a property before signing the lease agreement.
Furniture
Many people don’t really consider their furniture when looking at renting a property and simply sign the lease agreement without measuring anything. But, when moving day arrives, they realise all too late that their furniture won’t fit into the available space – this is something that could have been avoided! When viewing a property, take some measuring tape and the measurement of some essential furniture in your home, like your sofas, along with you. Measure the spaces and compare them with the size of your furniture – this way, you’ll feel more rest assured knowing everything will fit nicely into place.
Parking
Parking is a significant factor to consider when viewing a property – if you own a car, enquiring about whether the property has an allocated parking space is crucial. If not, you may be forced to park in the street or somewhere where that isn’t safe or secure for your car. Insufficient parking may also result in a lot of hassle for you and may cause visitors to park somewhere far from your home, which is not ideal.
Floors and walls
Checking the floors and walls will show you if there is any structural damage to the property. Any large cracks in the wall may be a result of foundational issues, as well as lengthy cracks in floor tiles. Checking these two areas will also allow you to look for any water damage or leagues, which will be clearly visible in areas where the walls and ceiling meet. Water damage is a headache on its own, meaning that you would be much better off looking somewhere else if this is the case. Water damage also causes mildew, which could pose health issues for people who have asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Crime
Something that doesn’t really have much to do with the house itself but is still a major factor is the crime rate in the property’s surrounding area. A good idea would be to walk around the neighborhood and have a chat with a few of the residents – they will offer an honest opinion on the area’s safety and give you a better idea of what you’re letting yourself into.
Lastly, don’t be scared to ask too many questions – your letting agents chester are there to assist you and have all the answers you need. Take everything in, and if you feel like walking through the place, again and again, don’t be shy! After all, you’re the one that’s going to be renting there!
(This is a collaborative post)
