Tenants Guide
Before you begin
Generally, renting is a much simpler process than buying a home. But, remember that you are living in someone's property, and that means you must work with the owner or agent to repair anything that goes wrong. Below are the steps to finding a place to rent.
Area
Many people rent when they move into a new area, in order to learn a bit about their new surroundings. If this is true for you, do your homework and find out about the following before deciding on a particular neighborhood.
- Local transport
- Crime rate
- Amenities
- Landscape & Geography
- Neighbors
Types of accommodation
In the India, there are several different types of rental accommodation you can chose from. Below is a list of the most common types.
- Flat or House Sole Tenancy - A private flat or house that is rented to one person or a family. This is generally the most expensive option.
- Flat or House Share - A group of people (often friends) share a private flat or house. The rent and other household bills are divided between all those living there.
- Studio - A one-room flat that contains the bedroom, living space kitchen and bathroom. Some agents advertise "one bedrooms" which are really "studios," others might call a "bed sit" a "studio."
- Hostel, Halls or Purpose Built - Often thought of as student accommodation, these places often have a few lockable bedrooms in a flat where residents share the kitchen and living space. It is similar to Flat or House Share, except the buildings were expressly built for the purpose.
Condition of accommodation
Do you want the place furnished or unfurnished? Here are some things to think about before making the decision:
- Cost - In truth, there is very little difference in cost between a furnished and unfurnished house or flat, so it may be worth keeping your options open.
- Hassle - If you aren't sure how long you'll be living in the area, and you don't have any furniture now, getting a furnished flat will save you a lot of headaches initially.
- Risk - If you or your friends and family are a bit sloppy, and you don't want the responsibility of taking care of someone else's furniture, then it may be worthwhile to take an unfurnished place and furnish it with rugged pieces. Otherwise, you risk losing your deposit.
- Taste - It is rare to find a landlord who shares your decorating sense. If you want your house to feel like your home, get an unfurnished or partially furnished place .
- Fresh Bedding - If you want the peace of mind of knowing who has slept in your bed, you may want to invest in a fresh mattress and fresh bedding and towels for yourself (or ask your landlord to do it).
- Functionality - Think about how you want to use the space. Would you rather have that extra room, that is now an office, be a nursery? Do you need more bookshelves and fewer chairs? These may all be reasons to consider unfurnished or part-furnished.
Your budget
Set a budget for yourself before you start viewing properties, and stick to it. Letting agents will always try to lure you into nicer places than you can afford. Resist the temptation, or be confident in your abilities to negotiate.
Other Expenses to factor:
- Utility bills - Water and Electricity will all be paid by you. Again, ask the letting agent or landlord for a breakdown of these costs.
- Contents Insurance - You are responsible for your contents, so it worth while for you to purchase insurance to protect against theft or damage.
- Cleaning - If you want to minimise the risk of losing your deposit due to abnormal wear and tear, it may be worthwhile to pay for a regular cleaning of the house or flat. This may uncover problem areas long before leaving day looms.