Photo Credit: Apartment Rentals Vienna
It is very easy to find apartment rentals, since many companies or individuals rent their properties to vacationers and travellers, in order to get returns from it. However, before you sign the lease, you need to consider things carefully to ensure that you will get a fair agreement with the property owner. Here are some of the things that you should do when renting an apartment.
1. Visit the Place Personally
In case you are searching for apartments via online, you need to ensure that you will visit the place personally. Many property owners try to attract tenants by describing their properties with exaggerated words. True, they will provide you excellent pictures, but are you sure that it is the actual apartment that you would rent? The best way of ensuring that your prospective apartment is a decent one, you should visit the place and check it out with your own eyes.
2. Set an Appointment with the Property Owner
In case the apartment is owned by an individual and not by a company, then you must set an appointment with the property owner. You need to meet the owner in person, to ensure that you are not being scammed. Furthermore, you will be dealing with him or her from time to time to pay the rent. Setting an appointment with the owner will give you the opportunity to assess his or her personality. In case he or she does not possess a likable personality, then it would be better to look for other apartments for rent, to ensure that you will not be involved with any issues with him or her.
In case you are planning to hire an apartment that is owned by a company, then you should set an appointment with the company’s representative. Make sure that you ask the representative to show you the apartment to ensure that he or she is not a scammer.
3. Calculate the Total Cost
One of the most common mistakes that people make when renting an apartment is that they have the tendency to settle for apartments with low rental fees, without determining the hidden costs. Are you the one who will pay for security, HVAC systems, cleaning services, and so on? Maybe you will pay low monthly fees, but after calculating these expenses, you may find out that it will cost you more.
To get the apartment that will cost you less, you need to visit several apartment rentals and check out their lease terms. In this way, you will be able to determine by comparing their rates. Of course, to make your assessment accurate, you must calculate their hidden cost as well.
4. Meet Their Neighbours
Aside from meeting the landlord in person, you must also meet his or her neighbours. Through a friendly conversation with them, you will be able to get valuable information from them. Is the area safe? Do the last renters encounter issues with the owner? Is property owner in good terms with the surrounding neighbours? Furthermore, talking to them will enable to assess whether they are rude an aloof, or show a friendly and warming personality. Your will have a superb vacation if you are surrounded by friendly neighbours during your stay.
5. Review the Lease Terms
When you think that the apartment is suitable for you, then the next thing that you should do is to talk to the property owner and inform him or her that you want to rent his or her property. The landlord will give you a list of rules, bunch of stipulations, rental fees, and other possible fees. However, before you sign the lease terms and agreements, you need to review them first. You need to make sure that everything stated on the contract will be fair for both sides. You must ensure that you are not giving away your rights, when you sign the lease contract.
Following the five steps mentioned above will enable you to find a decent apartment. It will also help you avoid dealing with issues regarding lease terms. You will be able to enjoy your vacation if you have a nice place to stay during the night. You will also be able to relax if you are in good terms with the property owner and the surrounding neighbours.
The author, a resident of Edinburgh, suggests all vacationers and work travellers to stay in rental apartments in Edinburgh. They are a very good choice for people looking for a good and comfortable yet independent stay.