Mark Romer image of a pen resting on a rental agreement

The Things to Consider Before Signing a Lease and Relocating to a New Residence

As a landlord, I, Mark Roemer, know that finding a place that feels like a home can be challenging, but that does not imply that it is impossible to do so. Whether you are accustomed to changing addresses and moving across the country or even around the world or looking to relocate to a new city, moving into a new apartment can be a daunting prospect for some people. What will the landlord’s personality be like? Will you be happy in your new neighborhood? Is the property adequately guarded against intruders? Is the living space both functional and aesthetically pleasing in terms of design? Is there enough natural light to make the area feel comfortable and peaceful, or does it need to be brighter?

Some of the questions you must have answers to are as follows, and they are non-negotiable: Because, after all, you want your new space to feel like a proper home, and you want to be completely comfortable in your new life at all times. To keep this in mind, here are the most important considerations you should make before signing a lease to move into your new home with minimal difficulty.

Examine the surrounding area with a critical eye

Many tenants make the mistake of falling in love with the property rather than the neighborhood when they move into their apartment. We’re often so focused on finding the ideal living space that we lose sight of the fact that the community plays an essential role in the entire process. Allow yourself not to be influenced by the attractive design scheme in the living room or the bright and airy kitchen; instead, conduct a thorough investigation of the surrounding neighborhood.

Is the neighborhood equipped with everything you need to live an active and stress-free life? Are you close to your place of employment, or do you have good access to public transportation to get to work? What do you think about the safety of the neighborhood? It is worthwhile to visit the local police station and solicit an unbiased opinion from one of the officers on duty. Please make a list of all of the amenities that your ideal property should have, and never settle because it makes all the difference in your decision.

Negotiate the terms of your pets

Most of the time, the landlord will be very explicit and upfront about whether or not pets are allowed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do if you are genuinely in love with the location. You can always arrange to meet with the board of tenants if you’re moving into an apartment building to try to convince them to accept you as a tenant. If you’re moving into a house, the board of tenants has the final say.

Unless it’s a multi-family building, you should approach the landlord about making an exception and allowing you to bring your cat or dog with you. However, it would help if you made a compelling case for your request. It is critical that your pet is well-trained and well-behaved, that it does not cause excessive noise, and that it respects your living space. This means that your landlord will not allow you to move in if your pet has a history of destroying the property’s furnishings.

Inquire around, and if you like the place, go the extra mile to persuade the landlord to trust you and your furry companion. It pays to ask around.

Check to see if homeowner’s insurance covers the landlord

An important thing to remember is that you should not be held financially liable for any accidents or incidents that occur due to circumstances beyond your reasonable control. The landlord should be responsible for this; as a result, you must determine whether or not your landlord went the extra mile to obtain a better home insurance policy that will protect you and your new home.

In an ideal situation, the landlord will obtain a comprehensive insurance policy to protect the property against various potential risks. 

Policies should include environmental hazards and disasters, water and fire damage, contents coverage, coverage against break-ins, and other coverages should be included.

Determine the level of noise in and around the rental property

One of the most common deal-breakers that many tenants fail to consider before it is too late is the level of noise coming into and leaving the rental property. Privacy is essential for maximizing your enjoyment of your new home, and if your walls are as thin as paper, you won’t be able to enjoy much of it.

Similarly, if you can hear every word your neighbors say all of the time, you will feel like you are living with unwanted roommates, making you feel uncomfortable. However, it is not only essential to consider the interior noise; it is also vital to ensure that your rental property is not located in the middle of a busy neighborhood.

Your new home will be difficult to enjoy if you have buses and cars, planes and trains passing by outside your windows. Rather than regretting signing the lease in the first place, you will wish you had never done so.

Make sure that you are prepared to act quickly

You won’t have time to find a pen and paper to sign on the dotted line if you want to get the best rental on the market. The ability to act quickly and potentially pack at a moment’s notice is required if your landlord demands that you move in immediately. Remember to know how to pack for moving in a hurry by creating an organized packing system, having a dependable moving company on speed dial, and resolving any outstanding issues with the previous landlord before you move. This will ensure that you get the best rental because you will be prepared to move in immediately.

Bringing things to a close

As a tenant, you’ll frequently find yourself forced to make compromises and make snap judgments. I, Mark Roemer, feel you should consider these considerations before settling for a home that isn’t a good fit for your lifestyle. The property you are considering should meet all of these requirements, and you should be prepared to move into your new rental as soon as possible to make it your permanent residence.