renting my first apartment

[Flowerhat]

hello,

i'm about to start searching for my first flat (to rent)

what are important questions to ask?

I have downloaded a list of 100 useful questions but seems more relevant for americans.

I am currently looking at renting a flat that is merely a house divided in 3.

What is nice is that it has water and lights included for 2grand pm.

What are your experiences in flat hunting and what are known pitfalls to look out for?

 

[crackersa]

hello,

i'm about to start searching for my first flat (to rent)

what are important questions to ask?

I have downloaded a list of 100 useful questions but seems more relevant for americans.

I am currently looking at renting a flat that is merely a house divided in 3.

What is nice is that it has water and lights included for 2grand pm.

What are your experiences in flat hunting and what are known pitfalls to look out for?

make sure they understand the consumer act and that the notice period is 20 business days (not a calendar month), and that they have to refund you the deposit within 7 days of completion of inspection. inspection has to take place within 3 days of you vacating the premises.

find out what the rules of the place are since it's a house, what parking is allocated to you. if you can have visitors and at what time. also find out if you can install your own phone line if you want ADSL.

be sure to get insurance to cover your personal belongings.

 

[Flidiot]

Something else to keep in mind - be sure to ask what you may and may not do in the flat. If for example you want to put pictures or other decorative items on the walls, some people have issues with making holes in the walls etc. so check if you may do such things, on the condition that when you leave, you fill up the holes and patch up the paint.

Also, if there is a deposit find out exactly when it is payable and how much. Most people request that your first payment is rent doubled - I.e. 1st months rent plus value of one month as deposit (E.g. if rent is 2k, deposit is 2k. So first payment is 4k)

If you have any animals (cats, dogs, birds), make sure that is allowed as well - as funny as it sounds, some people have issues with tenants keeping animals on the property, even birds...

 

[Flowerhat]

very insightful. Thank you guys

I dont want to pay insurance because most of what i own is of little to no worth.

Would it be a far stretch to ask if i can install my own trellidoor and add burglarproofs if necissary.

 

[Flidiot]

very insightful. Thank you guys

I dont want to pay insurance because most of what i own is of little to no worth.

Would it be a far stretch to ask if i can install my own trellidoor and add burglarproofs if necissary.

Usually those things are OK, they cannot really deny you the right to secure your home - whether you own it or not, usually a landlord would just request that you leave it installed when you leave. And most won't compensate you for it...

 

[ToxicBunny]

Usually those things are OK, they cannot really deny you the right to secure your home - whether you own it or not, usually a landlord would just request that you leave it installed when you leave. And most won't compensate you for it...

Then you've had some odd landlords... They cannot request you leave stuff that you've added to the property without compensation.

Most landlords I know are more than happy to share the costs or pay for things entirely if it will make the property more attractive when you move on.

 

[Lupus]

Then you've had some odd landlords... They cannot request you leave stuff that you've added to the property without compensation.

Most landlords I know are more than happy to share the costs or pay for things entirely if it will make the property more attractive when you move on.

Then you've had some really nice ones as most won't cover permanent fixtures added by a tenant. I was screwed over for around four grand with my last landlord cause of permanent fixtures. As unfortunately they can ask you to leave them due to some sections of some rental agreement act.

 

[Dolby]

But didn't you ask upfront?

 

[Humberto]

If you are an animal lover, make sure they allow animals.

I am a dog lover but my landlord doesn't allow pets. My little dog now stays with my mom. I miss her so much.

 

[Lupus]

But didn't you ask upfront?

We did, they said they would pay a portion, then went back afterwards claiming some law and copying it in the mail. The amount of crap I got from them I just wrote it off as a bad XP.

 

[Dolby]

We did, they said they would pay a portion, then went back afterwards claiming some law and copying it in the mail. The amount of crap I got from them I just wrote it off as a bad XP.

Ah - ok .. that's not cool

My previous tenant asked for a pool net and suggested 50:50 ... which I did. We each paid R1,650.00 as per agreement and when he left 18 months later, he wanted me to reimburse his R1,650.00! Big issues for a few weeks over that!

My current tenant asked for a Trellidoor as well - but I said no based on money issues I had (she requested R20,000.00+ worth of renovations in her 2nd month and I had zero cash). If she went ahead and put it in anyway, it'd be her 100% her cost (or she can take it provided everything is 100% the same) as I've said no already

 

[Flidiot]

Then you've had some odd landlords... They cannot request you leave stuff that you've added to the property without compensation.

Most landlords I know are more than happy to share the costs or pay for things entirely if it will make the property more attractive when you move on.

Some do, but it isn't the "norm". A few of my friends have added fixtures that better a home, and were compensated slightly.