Renting a house comes with numerous benefits. For example, you will not worry about the home’s renovations because that is the owner’s responsibility. Additionally, you will not be responsible for remitting property taxes for the rental home. Also, you can move to another house at the end of the lease period, which gives you enough time to plan for the relocation. However, you need to understand some responsibilities before renting a home. Here are seven things you must do before moving into any rental property:
 

1. Find Out the House’s Neighborhood Before Moving In

Although a rental property is not a permanent home, you don’t want to spend even a few months in a bad neighborhood. Before moving into any rental, research its surroundings to confirm its safety and convenience. Also, find out the crime rate in the area and local amenities such as gas stations, gyms, shopping malls, schools, and restaurants. Additionally, check if the amenities are near the house you want to rent and if the options suit your needs before you move in.
 

2. Read the Lease Agreement Before Signing

You shouldn’t sign the lease before reading and understanding its contents. You may also request a professional to review the document to ensure everything is fair for you. Check for clauses and rules such as house maintenance, pet policies, and how and when to remit the rent. Also, read what the lease states concerning security deposit refund and subletting the property if you’ll be away for some months during the year. Understanding all these will prevent you from getting surprises from the property owner.
 

3. Inspect the House Before Moving In

Before renting any house, inspect it for existing damages and document them for future reference. You can take photos of the damages, forward them to the property owner and store some copies for access when necessary. Also, request your property owner for a checklist containing the items to confirm when moving in and out of the house. It will help the property owner know if you damaged anything when renting the property. In addition, it will protect you from paying for damages that were present before you moved in.
 

4. Create Automatic Rent Payments

Most property owners charge an extra fee for tenants who pay their rent late. Set up an automatic rent payment if your property owner receives payment through bank transfers. You will also keep away from worrying about late rent payments every month. However, you can set monthly reminders on your calendar if your landlord prefers to accept payments through the mail.
 

5. Be Keen About the Property’s Maintenance

If you notice something that stops working or breaks down, inform your landlord as soon as possible. If you report soon enough, the landlord may spend too much on replacing something that they may have repaired. It is the landlord’s duty to pay for such repairs. However, you may hire an expert to do the repairs but ensure to inform the landlord after they fix the item.
 

6. Get Clear Guidance about Customizations

It would be best if you didn’t make any drastic changes to the house before talking to the landlord about them. For example, let your landlord know the color you prefer on your living room wall or if you want to remove the wallpaper in one of the rooms.

The best time to discuss the customizations would be before you sign the lease document. Most landlords allow their tenants to paint the walls, but only if they repaint them when moving out. Your landlord may even agree to share the customization cost to improve the property. That said, always get written approval from the landlord before adjusting the rented house.
 

7. Create a Good Working Relationship With Your Landlord

Even though you don’t need to be close to your landlord, it is essential to cultivate a respectful and formal relationship. This will encourage you to communicate issues concerning the property with the landlord, such as repairs needed. Additionally, it will make the landlord ready to continue working with you if you need to sublet the house or end the lease earlier than agreed. A good working relationship with your landlord will give you a positive rental experience.

You’ll get several advantages from renting a house. For example, your landlord will handle all renovations and remit all rental property taxes. You will also have the liberty to move to a new neighborhood and have ample time to plan. If you are looking for a rental house, the above are seven must-do things before moving in.