Renting

Renting, be it apartments, flats or actual houses, is a reasonable and cost-friendly alternative to buying your own place. It affords privacy and allows you to experience "home" despite being in an unfamiliar environment. Though renting homes is commonly practiced by international expatriates, it is still a viable option for starting families, students, professional sharers, and the like.

Renting houses, just like purchasing one, should be tackled logically and systematically. Care should still be practiced every step of the way because, no matter how big the house is and how substantial the rent, you are still living in a place that is not your own. This guide will give you a few tips on what to do before, during and after you rent a house. Hopefully, you would be able to establish good rapport with your landlord which will extend even after your tenancy.

Planning

It would be wise to determine beforehand what you want in a house. Aside from determining your budget, take your personal needs, lifestyle, professional and social commitments into consideration. Decide on the location -- do you want a house that is near your place of work, or somewhere further out? Identify which facilities are important - do you need a 2-car garage, 3 bedrooms, cellar and an attic? Once you have drawn up a list, you can now browse through advertisements or contact a good agent for help.

Viewing

It is important to conduct an ocular inspection of all the properties on your shortlist. Try to visit these places more than once and, even if you're not actually purchasing the house, be as particular about the details as if you were an actual buyer. Is the house in a good neighborhood, is it located near a street, does the sound of passing vehicles permeate through the walls, and is it easily accessible via public transport? All these questions, as well as other which you may have not thought of, will most likely be answered when you make a home visit.

Normally, the landlord will be present when you view the property. Talk to the owner; find out if he owns the property or if he's subletting it. Keep a friendly banter and make him feel comfortable with you. Remember that, though your personal interaction with him will be very minimal, it would be ideal if you both got along well. But, no matter what transpires during viewing, don't be swayed into making a decision immediately. You are not obligated to make a commitment on site. Take the time to think things through.

Selecting a House and Moving In

Once you've decided on a house, your landlord will draft a tenancy agreement which, you and he shall sign. The agreement should contain information such as the rental price, rate of increase per year, required deposit and advance, and length of tenure, among others. Read the entire agreement thoroughly and do not sign unless you understand the contents fully. If you have to, consult with solicitors.

After signing the contract, you may be required to give an initial deposit amounting to one-month's rent, maybe even more. Verify this with the landowner even before you sign the contract. At this point, the landlord may ask you to provide him with references. Have a list of people whom he can contact, usually former landlords, readily available.

Prior to moving in, an inventory of facilities and, for furnished units, furniture and accessories will be made. Be on site when the inventory is done. If you can't join in, schedule another meeting with the landlord and run through the inventory with him again at that time. Make sure that the listed items match those that are in your property. Sign the inventory in his presence only after you're satisfied with the contents.

Living In Your Rented Home

After you've moved in, bear in mind that your responsibilities as a tenant have just started. As a tenant, you are obliged to abide by all the terms and conditions stipulated in your tenancy agreement and also, maintain the condition of the house.

You are also responsible for paying all dues on time. Payment methods are done in accordance to what is indicated in your contract. Remember to get an official receipt after each payment.

If you encounter structural or community problems during your tenure (leaky pipes, noisy neighbors), advise your landlord in writing immediately.

Moving Out

At the end of your tenure, your obligations do not end when you've paid your last month's rent and have moved out of the house. It is your responsibility to make sure that you leave the house in the same condition as when you moved in. If you are a smoker or a pet owner, clean up after you've left to remove any stains or odors which may deter future tenants.

Though it's not necessary, you may want to give your landlord a note of thanks or a gift, as a small token of your appreciation.