Things to look for when renting an apartment

Finding a new apartment to rent may be an exciting and hopeful moment for any tenant, but diving into a new contract without first doing an in-depth tour might leave you with a lot of extra hardship to deal with. Aside from being able to identify potential problems, you will also avoid falling victim to any rental scams.

Here's what to look for while inspecting a prospective apartment:

• Test electrical outlets and wiring

When visiting an apartment, carry something tiny to plug into every available outlet to confirm they all work. The circuit state of each individual outlet in the apartment can also be checked with a plug-in circuit tester. Also, test all of the lights in the apartment to ensure that they switch off and on as they should. If you don't test them before moving in and it turns out they don't function, it may be an inconvenience. 

• Check the network signals

More than ever, our use of cell phones is essential to our daily lives. You can depend on it for work, for contacting friends and family, and even for managing daily duties. It's a significant issue if you can't even use your phone in your new apartment owing to poor reception. When inspecting the apartment, try using your phone/making a call in different sections of the house to ensure the reception is consistent and up to your requirements.

Ask your landlord about the availability of Wi-Fi. While some landlords include utilities like heat and water in the rent, others may include extras like Wi-Fi as rental incentives.

• Take notice of the parking

There's a good chance that there will be more than 100 people if you reside in a crowded apartment building. As a result, parking spaces are essential. It is a little better if there is designated parking, but you must be aware of the regulations in case someone takes your spot or anything similar. If parking is unassigned, you should visit the apartment around the time everyone gets home and leaves for work. This will give you a decent indication of how chaotic leaving the apartment will be, as well as how much competition there is for parking spots after work.

• Visit the apartment after hours

You'd be shocked at how a neighbourhood can change from day to night. During the day, it may be light, peaceful, and safe, but at night, it may become dark, chaotic, and unsafe. While you won't be able to inspect the apartment itself at this time of night, you will be able to ensure that the neighbourhood meets your expectations. You should also inspect the lighting around the parking lot and the unit itself.

• Check to see if there are any pests

Having pests in your apartment is unhygienic and obviously a major issue. Looking inside or on top of cabinets to see if there are any droppings is the best way to check for them. It is also a good idea to inspect the walls and baseboards for any significant cracks or holes.

Request documentation of the most recent pest control treatments for the unit or building from the landlord if you're still not pleased. Since the landlord is required to provide vital information regarding the flat, including any pest issues, it should be indicated in the lease if there are any current pest problems.

• Assess the pressure and temperature of the water

Nothing is worse than the inconsistent water temperature and water pressure that is either too strong or too gentle. Although you can't take a shower while you investigate the apartment, you can check the pressure and temperature with your hand to make sure it's appropriate. If you detect any problems, speak with the landlord or firm to see if anything can be done before you move in.

While inspecting the apartment as a whole is essential, it is also a good idea to read over your lease as it contains all the details of the arrangement and what is required of you. Read this document from start to finish and express any concerns you have. Naive tenants have been caught off guard after discovering information that was included in their lease at the time it was signed.

If you need any information regarding rentals, contact Seeff Hillcrest & Kloof today. Our property professionals will help you find the apartment that best suits your needs.