Top Things to Look for When Renting a House

Renting a house poses different challenges than renting an apartment.

Renting a house can involve weighing many of the same issues you'd weigh if you were buying. The house's condition, potential utility costs and the surrounding neighborhood are all important. Knowing the specifics of what you're looking for, and looking to avoid, is a starting point to finding the perfect rental home.

Energy Efficiency

If the house's appliances are older, they will cost you more in power costs than newer, energy-efficient models. Take a look around windows to make sure they are well-sealed and won't cause you to be either cranking the heat in winter or putting on extra sweaters. Ask the owner if the walls are well-insulated. If there's an attic, inquire as to whether heat escapes through fixtures or attic doors.

Inconvenient Flaws

Make sure the house is built well enough, so that it is free of little flaws that will cause annoyance over time. Internal doors should open and close easily and all locks should work. A cabinet or door might crash into a light fixture whenever it's opened; test the doors to make sure it's clear of obstacles. Count the number of electrical outlets in the home and note their accessibility. Know before you sign the lease what the landlord's responsibilities are in terms of fixing up the property. The California Department of Consumer Affairs publishes a landlord/tenant guide. Refer to any similar publications in your own state so you know what your landlord will be required to do.

Signs of Damage

Even though your landlord should be responsible for maintaining the property, choosing a home in poor condition might be an indication the landlord is neglecting to care for the house. If repairs do happen, they will cause you inconvenience as they are going on. Look for broken or discolored roof shingles, carpet stains or holes or stains on the paint. Stains on the paint, on ceilings in particular, could indicate water damage. An older roof might have a history of leaks.

Proximity to Amenities and Feel of Neighborhood

Your house will become your home, so you'll want to make sure it's in a location that fits your lifestyle. This can mean close proximity to work or school, or walking distance to a shopping district. If you are unfamiliar with the neighborhood, use your instincts to get a feel on whether you'd like to live there. In particular if you have a growing family you might want to choose an area where the people seem friendly. If you are concerned about crime, call the local police station to ask for access to neighborhood crime reports. Online resources, such as SpotCrime.com, also allow you to search for incident reports by address. State government data can also tell you how your local school ranks in the district. The California Department of Education, for example, publishes its Academic Performance Index online.

Price

For most renters, price is the bottom line. Choose a house that has no fatal flaws and meets your price point. Remember to do a full cost analysis to find out how much you'll be paying to live in a house: the monthly rent is one factor, but so are energy and transportation costs. If you can save rent by living far from work, but then have to pay more in transportation to get to work, you might be better off paying to live closer. Signing a lease on the condition that the landlord fix any specific flaws before you move in, such as resealing windows or replacing a leaky faucet, is another way to make sure you enjoy a low-stress experience as a renter.

References

• Renters Insurance: What To Look For
• Columbia Water & Light: What To Look For in a Rental Home
• Rental Decorating Digest: Apartment or Rental Home Walk Through
• California Department of Consumer Affairs: California Tenants -- Having Repairs Made
• Spot Crime: Home
• California Department of Education: Academic Performance Index