If you are looking to rent a house or apartment in the near future, there are some important questions that you should look into first. It can be confusing searching for the house that will work for you. If you know the right questions to ask, it can help a lot. So, here are 5 questions you should ask a landlord before renting in Chicago.
5 Questions to Ask a Landlord Before Renting
- How old is the house? If you are considering renting a house, you will want to know the age of the house and the general condition of the house. Knowing the age of the house will give you an idea of how many repairs might have to be made and the general condition of the residence. Older houses tend to have more problems or need continuing repairs that can cost money.
- How much maintenance does the landlord do on the residence? Once the landlord tells you the age of the house, you will want to ask them if they handle all of the maintenance of the residence. If the landlord handles all of the repairs, it will save you a great deal of money and this is one of the advantages of renting a house rather than buying one. If the landlord asks you to pay for some of the repairs, you should consider this in the final rent amount that they are asking for. It could be a negotiating point in the lease.
- Ask the landlord what their screening process is like (criteria for renting). Knowing what the expectations are for renters is important to the understanding of what you are expected to do as a tenant. Entering into a rental agreement is a legal agreement that both parties should go into understanding the fine print and the terms of the arrangement. If you need help finding the right rental for your needs, contact us at 773.233.2301.
- What is the monthly rental fee and what types of payments are accepted? Knowing the types of payments that are accepted is important so that you will not have a disagreement on how to pay. Landlords have to know that they can depend on your payment on a monthly basis.
- How long is the lease in effect? As with any contract, it is important to know how long the lease is in effect. Most lease agreements last for one year but some may be on a 6-month term or a different period of time. Lease agreements include the terms of the lease including the rental price per month, the date due, and the lease details. Read it carefully before signing so that you won’t miss an important detail. Remember that you are responsible for all of the conditions of the lease.
The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
Asking the right questions before you rent can save you a lot of misunderstandings in the future.
Remember the aforementioned questions you should ask a landlord before renting in order to avoid problems later on. Landlords like to know about their renters also and they may have questions to ask you, as well. They may perform a credit check or ask other questions in order to determine if you are a good fit for the property. Providing evidence of your income and credit history may help landlords know that you are able to pay your rent each month.
How to Save Time and Money when Searching for a Rental
Remember that the questions you ask beforehand can save you a lot of time and money later. So don’t be afraid to ask. You’ll be living with the lease for a long time.
If you’re not ready to purchase a house, you may want to consider looking into renting. There are some advantages to renting such as less responsibility for repairs and upkeep.