renting a house

[guitarsniper]

Me and a bunch of friends are entering our third year of university and ready to move off-campus. None of us have experience renting a house, so I was hoping I might be able to get some advice on how to avoid being scammed and what to look for at open houses and tours and things.

 

[Craorach]

Take a good look at the area the house is in, not just the house and building itself. Once you shortlist a property, make sure to drive past at random times of the day.. and more importantly the night... for a few days. This will clue you in to what really happens in that area, if there are any problem neighbours, etc. As uni students, you may also want to consider if the area is too quiet for you.. if you have a tendency to come and go at odd hours, or throw parties, renting in an area with primarily quiet families is going to get you kicked out quick.

When it comes to the lease itself.. have a sit down talk with your friends very seriously about it. Do not "figure it out" on the subject of rent and who is responsible for what. Ensure that everyone involved is able to carry their weight financially and that they will all follow the rules of the lease. All of you could easily find yourself without a home if someone trashes the place, or if one of you doesn't pay up and the rest can't manage to make up for them.

 

[IndomitableSam]

Also, make sure everything is in full working order. Who's in charge of yardwork? You or the landlord? Are there sheds/garages/other things you're not allowed to touch on the property? Many rentable houses (and annoying owners) won't let you use certain things they store there.

Bring a nightlight and plug it into all the outlets - make sure they work and aren't loose. Also make sure the wiring can handle that many people in the house - meaning multiple computers, tvs, game systems and such on at once. If it's an older house, don't bet on it.

Make sure that the owner will be the one to organize and be there for any repairs. We're leaving our current place at the end of the month. Our last straw was the shower breaking and then the owner left for vacation before the shower was fixed. It was broken for 10 fucking days. And when he got back, he said "I've just been on vacation, I can't get time off work, would you stay home for the plumber instead?" My answer was fuck no, and we gave our notice a few days later. (We're also on our second washer and dryer and third fridge, he only buys refurbished crap, so be careful of that happening to you.)

As Craorach said, get everyone's payment agreements in writing. You'll have water, electricity, gas, tv, internet and phone bills. Work out who gets the better bedrooms based on money or who's awake first. Do you want the one up at 6am to have the bedroom in the back of the house so they have to pass everyone else's rooms and clunk around the kitchen while someone is sleeping in the next room?

Check the pets policy as well, the noise policy, bus schedules, etc. Make sure it's a neighbourhood that will accept you. I know the area around my parent's house is turning into rentals since people are retiring and selling to people who renovate and rent to students, and it's really changed the neighbourhood for the worse. My dad takes out the garbage next door because they let bags pile up until raccoons and skunks start tearing into it right outside our back door. Make sure everyone cleans, or your neighbours will hate you.

... I guess I'm done for now? We're moving into a townhouse at the end of the month, and it's a month-to-month rental so we're pretty nervous about who our neighbours will be. Our unit was pretty torn up by the last residents and the building is a year old, so please, keep the place you move into clean and tidy for whomever comes after you.