What to look for when renting a room?
Finding the perfect room to rent can feel like an impossible task. Although it can be difficult sometimes to rent a room without getting stressed, but it can be done. So we have compiled for you a short cheat sheet, to make your life easier.
You need to remember that your accommodation is the place you will spend most of your time after work or university. Locating the perfect place can have a major impact on your mental and physical health.
Renting a room isn’t as daunting a task as it seems. It just takes a bit of time and research to locate a place that ticks all of your boxes. Before heading out to find your next room or flat, these tips will help you create a strategy to locate the best place possible.
Research
Finding the ideal room to rent begins with research. Too often people look online for accommodation and select the first thing they find. This inevitably leads to problems down the line. Research is the most important part of searching for accommodation. You will spend more time reading through adverts and scrolling through pictures of flats than actually viewing them in person.
Online research also prevents you from wasting valuable time visiting properties or speaking with estate agents trying to sell you on a place you don’t want. Searching allows you to narrow down your options quickly. You can filter searches to see rooms that fit into your budget. You can also find accommodations that are located conveniently near your work or university.
Good research saves time and money. Getting bogged down looking at the physical properties doesn’t just waste time but can frustrate you.
Visit shortlisted property in same day
Researching properties allows you to narrow down the ones that tick your boxes. After creating a shortlist, you can plan to visit the properties and make a selection. Dedicating one full day, or a weekend, to visit the properties gives you the chance to see everything and make a decision.
Estate agents will try to sell you on a property when visiting. They may pressure you to make a decision by claiming the property is being viewed by other people. While this is often a tactic used by estate agents, properties do go quickly. You may have to act fast and seeing all the properties in the same day gives you the chance to compare them right away.
Finding accommodation doesn’t have to be a long, drawn out process. Visiting the shortlisted properties in the same day is one way to make the process go quickly. It is also a tactic that prevents you from missing out on the room you really want to rent.
Ask questions and make sure the room is for you
A room can tick all the boxes at first but once you have signed the contract and moved in, it may not be the accommodation of your dreams. Estate agents and landlords may not disclose everything about the room to you without being asked first.
When viewing a property, you should ask questions about any aspect of the property that is important to you. Good Internet connection is vital for many people these days.
If you are a student or work from home, you need to know the Internet connection is strong. You may also stream your entertainment and need the connection to stay, well, connected. The property may not have good Internet connection nor mobile phone reception.
A viewing gives you the chance to ask questions about the room that you need answers for prior to moving in. It is also the time to check the accommodation.
You should check the taps to ensure they work. Flush the toilets to ensure they clear and re-fill properly. Look through the wardrobes, cupboards, and test out the doors to see if they work or if there is damage. Any damage should be pointed out to the estate agent or landlord.
Location, location, location
Location is often just as important for a person when renting a room as the accommodation. It is vital to survey the area when visiting a property. You should locate the public transportation links and stops if that is how you travel to work or university.
The public transport routes should be appropriate for your daily travel. You don’t want to select a room that adds to your commute and makes it a hassle. Look for amenities such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and pubs in the area. The area should fit all of your needs.
When searching for the right location, one of the worst decisions you can make is selecting a property on a busy street. A street-facing room can make it difficult to sleep or concentrate at night. It may even limit your privacy as people can see in the windows.
You should also shy away from rooms above restaurants, bars, cafes, and any other businesses that stay open late at night.
These tips should help you search for your next room to rent. Creating a strategy can save you time and money. It can also prevent you from renting a room you later regret.