What to Look for When Renting a House.

When you are looking for a new house to rent, it's a wise idea to have a checklist handy so you don't have to remember everything.  Renting an apartment can be stressful, especially if time and money are limited. It's not uncommon for people to leap before they look just to relieve the pressure of apartment hunting. Selecting a place to live is important. If you're unhappy with your home, it can have a significant negative impact on your life. 

So, once you've determined the place is in your price range, take a pad and pen to make notes as you consider the following:

• What's the neighbourhood like? If you're new to the area, ask about the nearest grocery store, bank, video store, etc. Walk around to see what kind of activity is in the area. Ask about transportation routes and how safe the neighbourhood is.
• Who are the neighbours? You're not asking the landlord to judge, you're asking for facts. Do they have kids? Pets? Are they college students or elderly couples? This will help you decide if you'll enjoy living there. This isn't as much of a concern if you're living in a mid or high rise. However, if you are renting an apartment in house, it may set off your allergies if the people around you have a cat.
• How is the place heated and cooled? This is of particular concern if you are responsible for paying the utilities. Also be sure to find out average monthly costs of water. How well it is insulated is the property? If insulation is poor then you will have higher energy bills.
• Are there enough windows and which direction(s) do they face? Light and temperature can dramatically affect how much you enjoy your home. If you find lack of light depressing, you may want to avoid houses with tiny windows.
• How present is the landlord? You want your landlord to be available when you need assistance, but it can be intrusive and uncomfortable to have him or her to be around all the time or coming by unannounced. Is a Property Manager your first point of contact?
• What are the policies and laws regarding pets? If a pet is already part of your family, make sure it is legal and acceptable to have pets. Otherwise, you may have to face a heartbreaking decision.
• How big are the rooms? You can use a tape measure or pace off to get a good idea of the room dimensions. Also notice how much and what size of furniture the current tenants have. For example, if you have a queen-size bed, will it fit in the bedroom? Also note stairwells, hallways and doors. Maybe your couch will fit in the living room, but will you be able to get it in?
• Is there parking? If you have a car you'll want to know if parking is included in the rent, where it is and how safe it is.
• Check for insects and rodents. Look in corners, behind furniture and along baseboards for any evidence of critters or repellent. If there are current tenants, they may be forthcoming with such information. And, if possible, visit the apartment at night and turn lights on in the bathroom and kitchen to look for any activity.
• If the place is in need of repair or paint, find out what will be done before you move in. If the plaster is falling down and you have to repair it, you may find living there more expensive and annoying than you bargained for.

The key to successful house hunting is keeping your wits about you. Don't just look at the surface of things and make assumptions. Review the notes you made as you viewed the apartment. Jot down your impressions as well. This will be your home. It is worth taking the time to plan ahead, ask questions and weigh pros and cons before signing on the dotted line.

Have I missed anything, is there anything that you look for that I haven't listed?