House Rental Checklist

Being a college student I have rented several homes in my life. I have come up with a list of things that I ask every landlord that I look at when I am searching for a property. Some things are obvious, some you wouldn't even think about until it happens!

The first thing I ask now: "Is the building up to code?" you would be surprised at how many homeowners rent out a house that has not been up to code in 20 years. The house I am living in now is not up to code, but I only have a few months left in my lease so I will ride it out. A building that isn't up to code is a fire and a health hazard to live in. Asbestos insulation, out of date wiring, flammable construction are a definite threat, the rent may be lower on a house that is out of code but the risks outweigh the benefits by a long shot.

The second thing I ask is: "Can I have a copy of the lease with my application?" This will allow you to sit down and critically analyze the lease before you sit down to sign it. If you wait until you sit down you will be rushed and may not look at a lease completely and miss a clause that says you have an eight hour window to pay your rent or you will be fined $50 per day extra. This would also allow you to negotiate the lease if something seems odd or out of place in the lease itself.

The third thing I ask is: "Can I get the contact information for the last renters?" this will allow you to ask more intimate questions about the house. The landlord has probably never lived in the house they are renting and don't know anything about it. The previous renters will be able to tell you about what happened in the house, what's wrong with it, why they moved out and what the landlord is like.

The fourth thing isnt really a question but more of an investigation. Go park in the driveway one night and spend the night there, listen to the neighborhood, look for suspicious activity, shady people, or other indicators that this isn't the neighborhood that you want to live in.

The last thing to ask is: "Could you come down any on the rent iif we were to sign the lease right now?" You would be surprised at how often you will get a renter to take $50 or even $100 off the rent so that they will get your business.

More to come, I'm MisterInnovation