How to Check Out a House Before You Rent

Renting a home is becoming more common as the process of buying a home has become more difficult. The flexibility that renting offers is unmatched when one considers the ever-changing landscapes of urban and rural locales. However, it is important to properly check out a house before you rent it.

Instructions

Pay Attention to the Smallest Detail

1. Take your time and walk around the interior of the home. A good rental house is one that has been properly and carefully maintained and is in the best condition possible. Many people make the mistake of doing a quick walkthrough of a potential rental house and then later find a number of things wrong when moving day rolls around. Look at every closest, cabinet, carpet, window screen, room, extra space, etc. Everything should be in place and in fairly good condition. Also look at the ceilings and walls for signs of mold or water damage.

2. Test all of the appliances that come with the home. Many rental homes come with appliances, but be sure they work. Many landlords provide appliances with rental homes solely as a courtesy, and they are not obligated to repair them. This should be a point that is specifically addressed before you sign a lease, and the terms regarding your appliances should be included in your lease.

3. Walk around the exterior of the home. Many tenants pay close attention to the interior of the home, but the exterior is just as important, if not more so. Ask about the last roof replacement on the home and question what will happen should the roof need to be repaired. Will you be responsible for any of the cost? You also need to find out who is responsible for yard maintenance and if there are any community bylaws regarding how and when the yard should be maintained. Can you add items like swing sets or trampolines to the yard if you have children? Would any damage caused by those items be covered under your security deposit?

4. Make a list of any items or places in the house that are in need of repair. This is, after all, your landlord's responsibility, and you should insist that the repairs be made before you move in. It's important to have a written list before signing a lease so that none of the aspects of the home in need of repair can be attributed to you.

5. Ask for the terms of the rental in writing, and carefully review the document, line by line, before signing a lease. Getting everything in writing protects you both. Make copies and keep the original in a secure place, such as a fireproof safe. Don't feel rushed in reviewing your lease. It is a legally binding document, so you want to be sure that you agree with the information contained within it.

Resources

• A Great Resource for Renters From the American Bar Association