Mistakes to Avoid When Renting for the First Time

Renting for the first time can be really exciting; moving into your own place is a great adventure. However, certain mistakes are commonly made by those renting for the first time. In this article, we take a look at some of these mistakes so you can avoid making them yourself.

Not thinking about what you want

Many new renters will go in search of their first property without really taking the time to properly think about what it is that they want from a property. This might be hard if you’ve never rented before, but it's an important step to ensure that you end up in a decent home. Take a look at different property listings and note down things you like about them. Make sure you consider the differences between a basement apartment, a first-floor apartment, a top-floor apartment and renting a house. Each of these will have its benefits and drawbacks. You might love the idea of saving money by renting a basement apartment, but the lack of natural light and increased likelihood of experiencing dampness might not be worth the monthly savings. This list can expand and develop as you visit different properties and get a feel for what works for your needs.

Not exploring the area

The apartment or house you choose to rent is important, but it's not the only thing to consider when looking for your first rental. The area is also a critical factor that you must take into account. There are good and bad areas of every city or location and places that fall somewhere in between. If you’re moving to a location you don’t know, it's vital to find out how safe the area is and the level of crime rate or if there are any issues with drugs in that location. You can find some of this information online using crime rate statistics or posting and asking in Facebook groups that contain people that live in that city. Another option is to go to the area yourself and take a look around at different times of the day, noticing any issues or things that might be concerning. Where possible, take someone else with you as a safety precaution. 

The safety of the area is only part of the picture you need to create; you’ll also want to figure out how close your rental will be to local amenities and how easy it is to use public transport in the area. All of these factors should help you form a plan or a map of which areas are suitable for your needs and which areas should be avoided. When looking for an apartment for rent in Hong Kong or any other big city, this step is vital for ensuring that you find the right property in the right area. 

Don’t accept bad behaviour from the landlord

The relationship between you and the landlord is crucial; they will be the person you need to contact about any issues with the property, and they will be in touch with you if they have problems. It's important that you start the relationship in a positive way; if they are particularly rude, dismissive or nasty, then it could be a sign to walk away. Even if you’ve found the perfect place to rent in the best area, a nightmare landlord can be a deal breaker. Ensure you’re respectful when viewing the property and ask questions to show interest. The conversation you have with the landlord will help you make a decision as to whether you want to rent from them. Here is some information you can use if you do need to complain about your landlord. 

Renting for the first time can be complex; there are lots of things to consider before making your decision. To avoid common mistakes, make sure you think carefully about exactly what you want from the property, explore the area fully and create a basic map of where you want to live and don’t accept bad behaviour from the landlord. These tips will help you find a property that is right for you and will help ensure you don’t end up in a situation where the living standards are substandard, and the landlord is refusing to do anything about it.

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