Renting Guide – 4 Tips for First Time Renters

You’ve finally decided to leave the family home and have started to look for your first rental. Whether you’re moving to be closer to uni or work, been pushed out by mum and dad that want their own space or simply thought it was time for some independence, moving out is a big step.

It’s a new chapter in your life that is exciting but at the same time daunting as you know you’re going to be faced with a number of personal challenges. The first challenge you’re going to face is trying to find a good property to rent. So here four tips you should you need to look out for when inspecting rental properties.

1. Check the Roof For Any Leaks

You might think this would be an obvious thing to see, but not all leaks are you go gushing with water or massive holes in the roof. Any qualified Sydney roofing company will attest that the condition of the roof is a good indication of the overall condition of the property and roof leaks can cause damage to the foundations and household items. Check for any small holes or gaps in the roof that water could leak through, if it’s not raining you won’t be able to see any link but if you can identify any potential leaks you can ask the landlord beforehand.

2. Check the Pipes for Any Plumbing Issues

When doing your initial walkthrough check pipes and plumbing for any leaks. The best way to do this is by testing. Flush toilets to see they are working well and if there’s any visible leaks. Following on from this test the sinks, run some water through the tap and check under the sick. If you find any issues with the pipes and plumbing it is a good indication that the property hasn’t been cared for with the appropriate upkeep and maintenance.

3. Check For Mould

Mould can be related to a leaking roof so if it’s found outside of the bathroom and close to the roof it’s a good indication that there could be a roof leak. If mould is found, it might be best to avoid the property. Mould is very dangerous and usually requires a lot of work to overcome the issue, most landlords are only required to clean the mould, but this won’t stop it from growing back and once there’s mould there will be mould again.

4. Check for Pests

Pests are notorious for being hard to find but are something you don’t want in your house. If there are any small gaps between or behind fixtures see if there are insects, dead or alive. If there are pests there during the walkthrough, imagine how many will be there when you’ve stocked the pantry and fridge full of food. If you notice anything be sure to ask the realtor about it and if there’s an ongoing problem with pest.

When looking out for the above tips be sure to make a note and ask the landlord about anything you may find. Asking questions will ensure you get all the information necessary to make the right decision.