In the previous post, we discussed how to rent a flat for a couple who are just taking their first steps into living together. If you missed the post, you should definitely give it a try, because we shared so many valuable tips that can help any couple to avoid quarrels and problems on the way. Today, we are ready to tell you more about renting a flat for single women and women with kids – those two categories of tenants are very sensitive and indeed have to think about many things in advance.
Plan your budget precisely
First, you need to be very precise about your flat budget. Many landlords charge extra money for a parking place or the ability to live with a pet. That’s why you need to think about these extra fees in advance if you have a car and cats or dogs.
Check contract terms
Second, you should be very careful while checking the terms of utilities payments. Though many of us consider by default that you should pay for what you use, it is not always true. Some landlords divide the utilities bills among all tenants of the building, so it means that you lose control of your spending and may end up paying for your neighbors’ baths and late-night movies.
Rent with a roommate
Renting a flat alone can be a real financial challenge, so many tenants find friends or just reliable roommates so as to split the bills. With a roommate, you can rent an apartment way bigger than while renting alone and you will always have a person to turn to in case of an emergency.
Find a trustworthy roommate
To find a good roommate, you can first try asking your friends. Sometimes you can get recommendations from your friends or family members, or even your colleagues. We don’t mean that you will find a person you can trust 100% like that, but anyway, this is better than living with a complete stranger. When you meet with your potential roommate, be very clear about fees. You can even offer to exchange the reviews of the landlords or previous roommates. You should be very careful if your roommate doesn’t want to give info about their job or tries to hide the reasons for moving. Normally, people who have nothing to hide understand that you need security and are ready to explain and prove that they can indeed pay their part.
Always write down your agreements
Even if your landlord and your roommate are very nice and friendly people, you should always remember to write down all the things that you agree on. Both you and your roommate must sign a lease or a sublease agreement. This small gesture in the very beginning will remove all the problems in the future if one of you can’t pay the rent. The second roommate will never become liable for the damage or expenses that are caused by one of the tenants.
Don’t choose the ground and the top floor
Many people choose the top floor for its beautiful views, less noise, and less pollution. At the same time, the ground floor lets you avoid the stairs and is also quite in demand. For these reasons, it can be cheaper to rent a flat in the middle. While you miss some convenience and beauty, you can save a lot of cash.
Save more by accepting some inconvenience
If you are ready to put up with a flat without a washing machine, you can save even more on the rent. You can also find cheaper rent if you take a flat that needs fixing. By accepting to change the paint or wallpaper, you can save quite a lot.
Try to avoid hot seasons for renting
Sometimes, people move in large groups for political or economical reasons. It is better to avoid these waves because they create a higher demand for rented flats and hence make prices go higher as well.
Kids can’t be the reason to make the rent higher
In the US, a landlord can’t make you pay more just for the reason of having a kid in the family. Higher rent costs for families compared to those for singles are considered discrimination. So remember about your rights and don’t get tricked.
Choose a safe environment
Kids are very curious, and, unfortunately, this excessive curiosity can sometimes result in injuries. Choose a flat that is equipped with all safety measures or at least a flat the landlord of which is ready to accept the installation of safety measures on their property. You can consider installing cabinet lockers and electrical outlet covers, making balcony railings secure, and more. Kids are also very noisy, so if your budget allows it, it is better to find a flat with noise isolation.
What other tips would you add for women tenants and tenants with kids? Let’s discuss it in the comments below.