Five things to know about a rental property prior to moving in

Just as buying a property involves research, renting a property does as well, with the due diligence you undertake in advance ensuring the property you rent suits your needs and lifestyle.

With that in mind, here are five things to know about a rental property prior to moving in…

Local amenities

Whether it’s schools, public transport, medical facilities or the local shops available, amenities play a major role in how liveable a region is.

Of course, the type of amenities you might require depend upon your circumstances and lifestyle, but before you go looking for a rental property it’s worth writing down a list of things you’re looking for, including non-negotiables and nice to haves.  

Neighbourhood

It’s not just the amenities in a suburb that shape how it feels to live in an area, it’s also the type of neighbourhood and whether that suits your needs.

For example, the inner-city lifestyle might be perfect as a student or professional, but not so suited to young families.

When renting, it’s also important to investigate the neighbourhood in advance, including what it feels like to spend time in that region.  

Length of rental agreement

The length of rental agreement available for a property is a major factor every rental occupant should consider.

For example, some properties offer a six-month lease, and others a 12-month lease, and the rental owner might have plans for that property at the end of the agreement.

Always look carefully at the rental agreement period available to ensure it’s right for you. 

You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you might have to break the agreement if you can avoid it, or where you have to move too regularly.

On the flipside, the period on offer might be just what suits your needs.

What’s allowed

Some rental properties come with specific conditions. 

For example, a section of the property might be off limits, the body corporate might have specific rules, or perhaps it’s a property where pets are not allowed.

Do double check what is allowed at the property, depending on your needs

What’s included

Finally, different rental properties might have different inclusions in the rental agreement, such as lawn and garden maintenance, or pool maintenance.

These can be an incredible asset to you as the rental occupier, or perhaps it’s not what you had in mind.

When you know the inclusions in advance, it helps you determine if the property is right for you.

The final word

All of the above factors affect how you will feel living in a rental property, and they’re important to consider when it comes to deciding where you will next call home.

After all, happy rental occupiers who love where they live from the outset are the basis of any successful rental arrangement.

How we can help

Our experienced property managers pride themselves on establishing great relationships with both rental occupiers and owners.

We manage every property as if it were our own and you can learn more about our property management services here.

Alternatively, if you are looking to rent a property, you can view the properties we currently have available here.