Drive around the neighborhood

Figuring out the safety of a neighborhood can be difficult given that people’s opinions of safety vary. The answers of friends and family are skewed because of their varying, subjective opinions.

One option is to drive around the area – but more importantly, drive around at various times of the day. Morning. Afternoon. Night. Late night. You’d hate to move in and find out that there is a choir of dogs barking at 11 pm or that all of the parking spaces are gone at 3 pm. By driving around, you’d get to see the neighborhood’s personality throughout the day and ensure that you are comfortable with it.

Complete a move-in report

Before moving in any boxes, walk through the property and complete a conditional report. Note any damages or cosmetic marks on the report and share the report with the landlord. The report protects you by noting any existing issues found during move-in so you are not charged during your move-out.

Keep an eye on the major systems

HVAC. Water Heater. Roof. While the landlord is financially responsible for these items, it’s in your best interest to keep an eye on them. If any of these items malfunction, your daily routine will be disrupted until they get fixed.

To be proactive, ask about the age of the systems and when they were last serviced. If they are towards their end of life, you’d want to regularly check in on them for signs of wear or failure.
Here’s the average lifespan of each major system:

It’s important that when you come out on the other end of this process you are in a good space financially and legally. These tips are extra information to keep yourself safe and aware during your rental search. While things are often positive with everyone excited to sign the lease, money and responsibilities are where the true test begins. By taking the lead on these items upfront, you can protect yourself and maintain good standing with your landlord.