10 Things to Check Before Signing Up for a New Rental
So you think you found the perfect home in an ideal location and for a decent rent? Use this checklist to make sure it's right for you
Trying to find a rental can feel like an obstacle course. Between rising rents, increasing numbers of applicants, and quite a few landlords who don’t really care about their tenants as long as they make as much money as possible from their investment, it’s not surprising that many potential renters sign up for the first home they feel is suitable, even if they have only seen it once and for a few minutes. Of course, location, size, affordability, overall condition and presentation are the most common deal-makers or deal-breakers, but don’t forget to check the following things – they may considerably change the way you live (and enjoy) your rented home.
2. Water matters
Picture this: it’s a cold, dark morning, you’re stepping out of bed and head to the shower. You turn the tap on and… Hardly anything comes out – just a weak flow of water. First-world problem? Certainly. But low water pressure in the bathroom can be frustrating (and will make your showers more time consuming than they used to be).
While you’re at it, you might also want to turn on that hot water tap to check how long it takes for hot water to run. It can definitely change your love of baths and showers forever.
Picture this: it’s a cold, dark morning, you’re stepping out of bed and head to the shower. You turn the tap on and… Hardly anything comes out – just a weak flow of water. First-world problem? Certainly. But low water pressure in the bathroom can be frustrating (and will make your showers more time consuming than they used to be).
While you’re at it, you might also want to turn on that hot water tap to check how long it takes for hot water to run. It can definitely change your love of baths and showers forever.
Another plumbing-related element worth checking: drains. It’s common for rentals to come with drains that have accumulated years of long hair and other things you don’t want to know about and never want to see resurface. Make sure to let water run in every sink, shower or bath for a while, and check if it drains properly.
And finally, don’t forget the toilet! That is one thing sure to get lots of use and yet we hardly pay attention to it when visiting a potential home. Make sure it flushes well, that it doesn’t take half an hour to fill up again and that it doesn’t make a horrible noise that might wake your partner or flatmate if you need to use it in the middle of the night.
And finally, don’t forget the toilet! That is one thing sure to get lots of use and yet we hardly pay attention to it when visiting a potential home. Make sure it flushes well, that it doesn’t take half an hour to fill up again and that it doesn’t make a horrible noise that might wake your partner or flatmate if you need to use it in the middle of the night.
3. Built ins
I once moved into a beautiful renovated cottage that had a very practical laundry hidden behind bi-fold cupboard doors. I remember opening and closing these doors during the scheduled inspection, and beaming at the immaculate laundry space – large trough, long benchtop, lots of upper storage, and what I thought was the perfect spot under the bench for my new front loader. It was my first laundry and I felt like a total grown-up. And then we tried to fit the washing machine into its dedicated space. The benchtop was too low by a couple of centimetres at the front and a few more at the back (yes, the floors were not level).
While the building code doesn’t set any standard when it comes to benchtop height in laundries, the average height for Australian front loaders is 800 to 900 millimetres. Width also varies greatly but typically, you would like a space that is at least 800 millimetres wide.
I once moved into a beautiful renovated cottage that had a very practical laundry hidden behind bi-fold cupboard doors. I remember opening and closing these doors during the scheduled inspection, and beaming at the immaculate laundry space – large trough, long benchtop, lots of upper storage, and what I thought was the perfect spot under the bench for my new front loader. It was my first laundry and I felt like a total grown-up. And then we tried to fit the washing machine into its dedicated space. The benchtop was too low by a couple of centimetres at the front and a few more at the back (yes, the floors were not level).
While the building code doesn’t set any standard when it comes to benchtop height in laundries, the average height for Australian front loaders is 800 to 900 millimetres. Width also varies greatly but typically, you would like a space that is at least 800 millimetres wide.
The fridge is also an essential item you want to make sure will fit in your kitchen. As they come in a variety of sizes, there is no guarantee that a fridge recess will be right for your fridge. Empty nooks can look deceptively large, so make sure to bring your tape measure when visiting potential homes (unless you are prepared to change appliances, of course).
4. Powerpoints
Now that you’ve ticked off the essentials, what about the coffee machine, the kettle, microwave and toaster? Will you be able to plug them all in? Always look for where the powerpoints are around the home. You don’t want to be dragging extension cords across rooms and piggy-backing multiple powerboards on top of one another.
Now that you’ve ticked off the essentials, what about the coffee machine, the kettle, microwave and toaster? Will you be able to plug them all in? Always look for where the powerpoints are around the home. You don’t want to be dragging extension cords across rooms and piggy-backing multiple powerboards on top of one another.
5. Internet access
High-speed internet is still a fantasy for many people, even in metropolitan areas, so if you work from home or need a fast connection, a bit of investigating is definitely worth the effort. Doing a bit of online research and talking to the neighbours could clarify the matter.
High-speed internet is still a fantasy for many people, even in metropolitan areas, so if you work from home or need a fast connection, a bit of investigating is definitely worth the effort. Doing a bit of online research and talking to the neighbours could clarify the matter.
6. Bus stops and routes
If you don’t intend to use your car on a daily basis, whether to save on costs or to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, you might want to ensure that public transport is a viable option for you. There might be a bus stop near your potential home, but it may be on a route that doesn’t work well for you, leading to complicated trips and fatigue.
It’s also wise to visit the property on a weekend when the travelling experience is totally different from a Monday morning at peak time. Most public transport companies now have web-based or app-based journey calculators that can work out the shortest or fastest journey from A to B at a specified time and day. They can also bring up the detailed routes and schedules for any given bus or train stops any day of the week. So do your research.
If you don’t intend to use your car on a daily basis, whether to save on costs or to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, you might want to ensure that public transport is a viable option for you. There might be a bus stop near your potential home, but it may be on a route that doesn’t work well for you, leading to complicated trips and fatigue.
It’s also wise to visit the property on a weekend when the travelling experience is totally different from a Monday morning at peak time. Most public transport companies now have web-based or app-based journey calculators that can work out the shortest or fastest journey from A to B at a specified time and day. They can also bring up the detailed routes and schedules for any given bus or train stops any day of the week. So do your research.
7. Building rules
If the rental you’re eyeing is in an apartment complex, there might be communal facilities you can use, such as a gym, pool or rooftop garden. Before you get too excited about the prospect of sipping cocktails on the rooftop after a great workout and a refreshing swim, make sure to check the building rules first. There might be limitations, such as opening hours, no-food and/or no-drink policies that take the fun out of it.
If the rental you’re eyeing is in an apartment complex, there might be communal facilities you can use, such as a gym, pool or rooftop garden. Before you get too excited about the prospect of sipping cocktails on the rooftop after a great workout and a refreshing swim, make sure to check the building rules first. There might be limitations, such as opening hours, no-food and/or no-drink policies that take the fun out of it.
8. Pets
While a ‘no pet’ mention often appears on a property listing, it is not always clear whether pets are permitted or not, and to what extent – how many pets you can have and whether they’re allowed inside, for example. Check if additional conditions to the lease would be added, such as a pet bond or pest treatment upon vacating the property. While such conditions are usually regulated and followed by property managers, landlords who self-manage their properties might be a little more ‘creative’ with their requirements.
While a ‘no pet’ mention often appears on a property listing, it is not always clear whether pets are permitted or not, and to what extent – how many pets you can have and whether they’re allowed inside, for example. Check if additional conditions to the lease would be added, such as a pet bond or pest treatment upon vacating the property. While such conditions are usually regulated and followed by property managers, landlords who self-manage their properties might be a little more ‘creative’ with their requirements.
9. Squeaky floorboards
Who doesn’t love old floorboards, with their wide planks, their knots and scratches and bumps that give them so much character? Unfortunately, with that rustic quirkiness often comes annoying squeakiness! While it can be totally bearable when it’s moderate, it can also be an absolute nuisance when every single board you step on sounds like it’s screaming for help! If you are in an apartment or unit, keep in mind that your squeaky floors can become a nightmare for your downstairs neighbours. And if you are in a period building with such floors, it is also likely that your upstairs neighbours have similar issues, which would quickly become yours, too.
Who doesn’t love old floorboards, with their wide planks, their knots and scratches and bumps that give them so much character? Unfortunately, with that rustic quirkiness often comes annoying squeakiness! While it can be totally bearable when it’s moderate, it can also be an absolute nuisance when every single board you step on sounds like it’s screaming for help! If you are in an apartment or unit, keep in mind that your squeaky floors can become a nightmare for your downstairs neighbours. And if you are in a period building with such floors, it is also likely that your upstairs neighbours have similar issues, which would quickly become yours, too.
10. Paintwork
When inspecting a property, pay close attention to the paintwork on walls and ceilings. It is quite common for landlords to get their properties painted in between two tenants, especially if the previous one lived there long term and they are hoping for a substantial rent increase. Unfortunately, the job is often rushed and patches of repaired walls or ceilings can show through the paint. Beyond the aesthetic value, these could also be signs of problems to come. Over time, the paint may flake where the repair was made, and you might be held responsible for not looking after the property, which can affect your bond.
Take your time when inspecting the property and list every scratch, bump, hole, patch, crack and other significant irregularity. If you notice any local discolouration or even some bubbles on the paintwork, beware – it could be hiding signs of mould that will continue to grow if not correctly treated, eventually affecting your health and the home.
TELL US
Have you ever signed up for a rental in a hurry and regretted it later? Are there any other elements you think are worth checking prior to applying for a rental? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
How to Squeeze a Humble Workspace Into Your Rental
Thinking About Getting a Housemate? Here’s How to Get Your Home Ready
Plan a Garden That Can Move House With You
When inspecting a property, pay close attention to the paintwork on walls and ceilings. It is quite common for landlords to get their properties painted in between two tenants, especially if the previous one lived there long term and they are hoping for a substantial rent increase. Unfortunately, the job is often rushed and patches of repaired walls or ceilings can show through the paint. Beyond the aesthetic value, these could also be signs of problems to come. Over time, the paint may flake where the repair was made, and you might be held responsible for not looking after the property, which can affect your bond.
Take your time when inspecting the property and list every scratch, bump, hole, patch, crack and other significant irregularity. If you notice any local discolouration or even some bubbles on the paintwork, beware – it could be hiding signs of mould that will continue to grow if not correctly treated, eventually affecting your health and the home.
TELL US
Have you ever signed up for a rental in a hurry and regretted it later? Are there any other elements you think are worth checking prior to applying for a rental? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
How to Squeeze a Humble Workspace Into Your Rental
Thinking About Getting a Housemate? Here’s How to Get Your Home Ready
Plan a Garden That Can Move House With You
Windows are essential to a home – they bring in light, let in fresh air, and connect the indoors to the outdoors. Yet few of us pay them much attention when visiting a potential rental home. Since moving into a newly renovated rental where the old but freshly-painted sash windows had been painted shut (which meant I couldn’t open them and had to call a handyman for help), I now make a big point of opening windows when visiting a potential home. Not only does it show how well the mechanism works, it also gives you the opportunity to check if street noise will be an issue. You may not even need to open the window to identify potential issues; simply getting close to a window means you might be able evaluate its insulation properties (does it radiate heat? Is there a cold draught?).