Renting a House Checklist
Table of Contents
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- Rental interior
- SizeDon't just go by square footage - the number of rooms and their size is important.
- Bedrooms/bathroomsThe more baths a household has, the better - especially for large families.
- FloorsYou could be held liable for replacing damaged or stained floors after you move in, so look for durability and neutral colors.
- Air conditioning/heatingMake sure that some form of ventilation exists unless you live in a very moderate climate. Ask if a specialist has inspected any central units recently.
- Rental exterior
- Lawn/yard/flowerbeds.Will you be responsible for upkeep, or will the landlord?
- FencingIs any existing in good condition? If you will need to enclose a pet or have a safe place for children to play, make sure the fence is sturdy.
- Watering system.If you would be responsible for lawn landscaping upkeep, is there an installed sprinkler system to streamline the job?
- PoolHas the pool been properly maintained, and is it safe? Again, find out who is responsible for upkeep, you or the owner.
- SecurityIs a security system installed and active? If not, ask about options.
- Rental location
- SchoolsCheck to see if the school district is ranked highly if you have children. If you are attending university, you may want to live near campus.
- Doctors/hospitalsIt's always good to live close to quality medical care facilities.
- Emergency servicesThe rental should be clearly marked with the house number, so it can be found by emergency services in a crisis.
- Houses of worshipYou may want easy access to a church, mosque, synagogue, temple or other place of worship.
- Markets/shopping centersDon't forget the need to be able to go shopping, eat out or order in, have dry cleaning done, haircuts received, and banking accomplished.
- Garage/parkingYou will need to know the rules concerning parking and ensure there is room for your vehicle(s).
- Public transportIs there a bus stop nearby? Can you catch a cab or take the subway? If you don't have a car, these are prime considerations.
- Distance from workIf you want a short trip to work and back, you have to take into account the length of your commute plus traffic conditions.
- Pet friendlyIf you have a pet, you will need to ensure you are in compliance not only with the terms of your lease but with local ordinances as well.
- Expenses
- RentCan you afford it? You may also be asked for a deposit and first month in advance.
- UtilitiesConnection fees, new service, and even physical visits may be necessary to get your electric, gas, water, phone, cable or internet hooked up.
- MovingCan you move yourself, or do you need to hire a moving company? These costs will need to be factored in.
- Walk through
- Interior of houseNote everything that you find amiss and write it down.
- Exterior of houseNote anything broken, work or needing replacement.
- Ask for timeGet at least a week to report additional problems after move in - a walk through is often rushed and won't catch everything.
- Have it signedYour list of possible problems should be signed and dated by both you and your landlord.
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Presented by:
Nicole Nichols-West
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Details
When renting a house, there are a variety of factors to consider. Renting a home is different than buying, in that there are many responsibilities you will not be accountable for. However, there are still a lot of similarities when it comes top comparing various houses and adding up the plus and minus columns to choose your perfect temporary home. Your best bet is to use a checklist to prioritize the things that are important to you and use that as a starting point in your rental home search. Families with small children will have a different set of wants and needs than a confirmed bachelor or a senior citizen. The following checklist should help you to make a final decision.
Tips
Your monthly budget will obviously affect your decision; certain neighborhoods may be off limits as too pricey. Decide what is most important to you and what you can live without to compromise on a home you will be happy with. You may choose to live in a rural area and endure a longer commute to work, school, markets, and other amenities. Alternately, you may decide that you prefer living in the bustle of the big city where dining, shopping, and entertainment is mere blocks away suits your lifestyle.Many people prefer the suburbs as a comfortable compromise between country living and city life.
Do a little research on the area you are considering moving into, and get a big picture of the kind of prices that are average for rentals, and what kind of homes are available. The nice thing about renting a house is that you will generally not be responsible for normal wear and tear or emergency home repairs. You'll want to find a landlord with a good reputation for upkeep. Nonetheless, still check on the state of the home as far as you are able - it would be huge disruption in your life to have to be relocated temporarily while a major problem is being fixed.
Who it's for
This Renting a House Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Renting a House essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Renting a House structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this Renting a House Checklist
- Save Renting a House Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Renting a House (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.