Renting a home or apartment for the first time can be an exciting experience. You’re finally experiencing a new sense of independence. Unpakt has some useful tips for moving out for the first time that will make moving into your own place the enjoyable experience it should be.
Set Aside a Budget
Make sure you have a budget and stick to it. Also, make sure you’ve got enough for the deposits and fees that will come with your apartment or home rental. Ideally, your rent shouldn’t be more than 30% of your income, so keep this in mind during your apartment search. You should also set aside money for your moving costs, check out this blog to learn how to set a moving budget.
Consider Renters Insurance
There are several types of renters insurance, and it’s a good idea to go over a few policies before you select the one that will work best for you. One of the most important renters’ insurance tips to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t just automatically choose the cheapest policy. Select rental insurance terms that will adequately cover your property if it is damaged due to weather, and will reimburse you for items in the event of theft.
Always Visit the Property First
This may seem like one of the most obvious moving tips. But with today’s technology, you might feel like you’ve seen the apartment or home by viewing pictures online. While these images can give you a good idea of how the property looks, you should never sign a lease without viewing the property in person. That way, you’ll know first-hand if repairs should be done and you’ll get a feel for the way you want to decorate your place. Be sure to turn the faucets on and off, make sure the appliances are all working properly and measure the rooms to ensure that your furniture will fit. If you see anything that needs to be fixed, ask the landlord to have it repaired before your move-in date.
Inquire About Safety
Finally, make sure that the area you’re moving to is safe. In many cases, the landlord won’t be able to give you specifics about the safety of the area. However, you can look for things like a security gate. If there are schools or reputable businesses nearby, this may also be a good sign.
Doing all you can to be prepared for renting your own place can take a lot of hassle out of the process. The more research and proactive steps you implement before your moving date, the more hassle-free renting will be.
