Steps to Renting a Home
Finding the right rental home is more than just browsing listings. Clarifying your budget, getting to know the area, seeing the home in person and signing the contract knowingly will prevent both financial and legal problems. By following the steps below in order, you can manage the process with ease.
1. Set Your Budget
Before you start looking for a rental home, clearly lay out your monthly income and fixed expenses. The generally accepted rule is that the rent should stay between 25 and 35 percent of your net income. Going above this range may strain your budget in the face of unexpected expenses.
Take into account not only the monthly rent but also the deposit and additional costs you will pay at the start of the contract. With the calculator below, you can see the rent range that suits you in seconds.
Rent Ratio
The rent should not exceed 25-35 percent of your net income. The ideal ratio is around 30 percent.
Deposit
It is usually equal to 1-3 months' rent and is taken to be refunded at the end of the contract.
Additional Costs
Be sure to add building fees, agent commission, moving costs and utility subscriptions to your budget.
2. Choose a Location
Proximity to your workplace, school and loved ones directly affects your quality of daily life. Compare transportation options, public transport stops and the markets, healthcare and education facilities within walking distance.
Within the same city, the rent difference between neighborhoods can reach 40 percent. If your budget falls short in one district, also explore neighboring areas on the map.
Transportation
Proximity to the metro, buses and main roads shortens your commute and saves you time.
Amenities
Being within walking distance of daily needs such as markets, parks, schools and hospitals is a great convenience.
Safety
Observe in person what the neighborhood is like in the evening hours, the street lighting and the security of the complex.
3. Review the Listings
Use the filters to search by number of rooms, square meters, floor and furnishing status. Read the listing description, the photos and the update date carefully. Be cautious of listings offering prices significantly below the market average.
Add listings you like to your favorites and create a saved search; get instant notifications about listings whose price drops or that are newly added. When contacting the listing owner, ask in advance about building fees, the deposit and the terms of use.
- Check whether there is a listing number and a verified profile for the listing owner.
- Ask for additional photos or a video call to make sure the photos are up to date.
- Find out whether the rent includes building fees and utility costs.
4. Inspect the Home's Physical Condition and Surroundings
Be sure to see the home during the day and, if possible, once in the evening as well. Check for humidity, dampness, signs of mold, cracks in the ceiling and walls, window and door insulation, and the condition of the plumbing. Test the water pressure from the taps, whether the heating system works and the electrical sockets.
Also inspect the building entrance, the elevator, the parking lot and the common areas. A short chat with the neighbors gives the most reliable information about the building's management and fee arrangements.
Plumbing and Heating
See the combi boiler, radiators, water pressure and electrical installation in working order.
Orientation and Light
The orientation of the home, the amount of daylight it receives and ventilation determine living comfort.
Building and Surroundings
Check the elevator, parking, management arrangements and sources of noise in the surroundings.
5. Sign the Rental Contract
Be sure to put the terms you agreed on into a written rental contract. The contract should clearly include the rent, the payment day and method, the rental term, the deposit amount, responsibility for building fees and the inventory of furnishings. Read every clause before signing and ask about any points you don't understand.
When moving in, photograph all defects and damages and record them in the report. These records protect you from possible disputes during the deposit refund at the end of the contract.
Tenant Rights
You have the right to live in the home peacefully and without damage, to request necessary repairs and to be protected against unjust eviction.
Your Obligations
Paying the rent on time, using the home with care and covering minor maintenance costs are the tenant's responsibility.
Deposit Refund
If there is no damage, the deposit is refunded at the end of the contract. Don't forget to get a record documenting the refund.
Rent increase limit: For residential rentals, the annual increase cannot exceed the legally set upper limit. Be sure to check the current rate and the conditions of application before renewing the contract.