4 Questions You Need to Ask Before Renting

Renting a property can be time consuming and frustrating. There are many different things you need to know before signing a lease. Once that lease is signed, you are obligated to fulfill it. It is important to do your homework ahead of time.

I recently moved and found myself in a situation that was new to me. I had not rented a property in several years, so it was like starting all over again. Here are some important questions to ask before renting a property:

-Are any utilities included in the monthly rent? Some properties include either water, power, or cable in the monthly rent. This can make a huge difference in your budget, so make sure you ask before signing the lease.

-Are pets allowed? Even if you don't have any pets, this is still an important question to ask. If pets are allowed, there is the increased possibility that you will be around them even if you don't own one yourself. This means you may hear barking. You may have people walking their dogs through your yard. If so, you will have to worry about whether or not they are scooping their dog's poop.

-What day is the rent due? Is there a grace period? What is the late fee? This is important to know because if you can avoid paying a late fee, it is best to do so. Not only will it give you more money, it will prevent anything negative on your record.

-How long do I have after moving into the apartment to report anything I notice that needs fixing? Upon moving into an apartment, you may be asked to make a list of things that were wrong upon you taking possession of the apartment. The reason for this is so that you can not be blamed for any of it when you try and get your security deposit back when moving out. When I moved in my apartment, there were two very recognizable stains on the bedroom carpet. I told the leasing office and they fixed it right away. Even if they had not fixed it, they would not have been able to use that to keep me from getting my deposit back at a later date. I had it in writing that it was there when I took possession of the apartment.

Renting a place can be exciting, and in the excitement it can be easy to forget to ask the important questions. Take the time to write down what you need to ask before signing the lease. You will be happy that you did.