Although it isn’t an easy task to find an apartment that’s located in a safe residential area, and that fits all your other requirements, including taste and affordability, it doesn’t have to be so frustrating.
There are a few guidelines that can be quite helpful in helping you find a new home to rent. Other than that, there are several platforms, both online and offline, that come in handy in such cases. Others such as Furnished Apartments Toronto, offer fully furnished rental homes and save you the hassle of having to buy everything from scratch, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner or you’ve just moved to a new city.
As mentioned earlier, there are a few tips or guidelines that can help you find your ‘home’ without feeling all pressured, overwhelmed, and stressed out. Here are those:
> Determine what you want. All you need to determine here is how much space you need. This basically includes how many bedrooms or bathrooms you need and how big you want the closet to be. You might also want to determine the location. Ask yourself if you’re comfortable with the vicinity, if there are healthcare facilities, schools (in case you’re a student or have kids), or shopping malls nearby. Consider how far or near your working place is from home. Also, check if you’ll need a doorkeeper or perhaps a place to park your car.
> Gather information. Research is essential when it comes to house-hunting. Gather information from as many sources as you can. Visit the neighborhoods you’d consider living in and talk to the people living there. You might also consider checking out websites, although it’s much better to talk to people personally as some online sites may not provide full information.
> Prepare all your paperwork and required documents. Of course, this comes after you’ve narrowed down all your choices and you’ve settled on one that satisfies you. The paperwork you need to prepare basically includes tax returns, reference letters from your former landlord, a signed letter of employment, and at least 3 or 4 recent pay stubs to justify the information in your employment letter, and a few recent bank statements.
> Read the contract details carefully before agreeing or signing them. Carefully read all the details concerning leases, renewal terms, notice of termination, and be sure to jot down any verbal agreements made with the landlord.
> Don’t settle for less. Ask questions, double check the apartment, and make sure everything is in good working conditions. Make sure there are no leaking faucets, the air conditioners are working, no clogs in the drainage system, etc. Also, it’s crucial to know all your rights as a tenant, and report anything that you feel is unethical.
> Understand that you cannot control everything. Don’t let all the pressure of house-hunting overwhelm you. Don’t overwork yourself. Take a breather! You might as well bring along a trusted friend to help you with the hunt.
