Whether you’re looking to move to your first rental property or have been living in rentals for years, it’s important to look carefully at each listing. Evaluating rental listings diligently ensures that you know what the rental property looks like, the utilities you’d be responsible for, and the essential policies you need to know. In today’s article, we’ll review what to look for in a rental property, how to evaluate listings, red flags to watch out for, and questions to ask landlords or property managers before signing a lease.
Contents of This Article:
- What to Look For in a Rental Property
- Evaluating Rental Listings
- Red Flags to Look For in Rental Listings
- Questions to Ask a Landlord or Property Manager
- Find Reliability With Property Management
What to Look For in a Rental Property
While evaluating rental listings, prospective tenants generally have a list of criteria and preferences in mind. For instance, most renters want to find a safe property that’s well-cared for and nearby work or school. After all, before you sign a year-long lease, finding a property that accommodates your needs is important. That said, it’s important for Washington DC property management companies to create thorough rental listings that include all the necessary information. Here’s a list of what to look for in a rental property.
- Location- Renters prioritize convenient locations. For instance, you’ll want to look for rentals near schools, workplaces, public transportation, shopping centers, and other desirable amenities.
- Affordability- Price is a huge factor in looking for rental properties. After all, you’ll want to look for properties that fit within your budget. However, it’s important to consider the monthly rate and additional costs like the security deposit, utilities, and parking.
- Size and Layout- The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall square footage of a rental property are crucial factors. After all, you’ll need a rental that has enough space to fit your needs.
- Safety and Security- Safety and security is a top priority for most renters. It’s important to find properties with well-maintained locks, secure entrances, reliable lighting, and potentially additional security measures.
- Condition- You’ll want to find a well-maintained property and kept in good condition. Consider the age of appliances, cleanliness, and overall upkeep.
- Amenities and Features- If you’re looking for certain amenities like in-unit laundry facilities, dishwashers, air conditioning, storage space, and more, you’ll want to filter your search to find rentals with these features.
- Pet Policies- If you want to move with a pet, you’ll want to look for pet-friendly rental properties. Additionally, you may want to find a location with suitable amenities for pets, like parks or nearby walking areas.
Evaluating Rental Listings
Once you know what you’re looking for in a property, you’ll want to spend time evaluating rental listings that you come across. A reliable and trustworthy rental listing has a few key factors you’ll want to look for. That said, here are some key steps to evaluating rental listings effectively.
- Review Listing Details
- Examine Photos or Virtual Tours
- Research the Neighborhood
- Consider the Rental Rate
- Visit the Property
- Inquire About Utilities
- Check the Landlord’s Reputation
Review Listing Details
Carefully read the listing description and note important information like the rental price, location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lease terms, and included amenities. If the listing doesn’t have all of this essential information or specific details about the property, it could be a red flag.
Examine Photos or Virtual Tours
Take time to examine the photos or virtual tours provided in the listing. Pay close attention to the property’s condition, layout, appliances, and overall appeal. If there aren’t enough photos or you don’t get a good enough idea of what the property looks like, request more images or schedule an in-person tour.
Research the Neighborhood
Do some research on the neighborhood where the property’s located. Plenty of online resources, reviews, and maps can help you learn more about the area. You’ll want to consider factors like crime rate, proximity to schools, parks, or grocery stores, transportation options, and the overall desirability of the location.
Consider the Rental Rate
Evaluate the rental price compared to your budget and what you’re willing to spend on housing. Additionally, compare it to similar properties in the area to ensure it’s reasonable and competitive with other rentals. Remember to consider any additional costs like utilities, parking, pet fees, and the security deposit.
Visit the Property
Before moving into a rental property, seeing it in person is crucial. You’ll want to walk through each room, assess the property’s condition, and check for signs of damage or maintenance issues. Additionally, evaluate the overall layout and functionality to ensure it’ll accommodate your needs as a renter. Then, if you have concerns or questions about the property, address them during your visit.
Inquire About Utilities
While you’re there, it’s important to clarify which utilities are included in the rent, if any, and which ones you’re responsible for. Ask the landlord or property manager about additional expenses like parking fees or pet policies. After all, understanding the full cost of living in the rental is crucial before signing a lease agreement.
Check the Landlord’s Reputation
Research the landlord or property management company to learn more about their reputation and reliability. Look at online reviews or testimonials and consider their responsiveness to maintenance requests or concerns from current or past tenants.
Red Flags to Look For in Rental Listings
There are plenty of fake listings or rental scams out there to be aware of. Sometimes, landlords may use old photos to make their property seem better than it is in its current state. Or, you may come across a completely fake listing that immediately asks for money before seeing the property. That said, looking for red flags while evaluating rental listings is crucial. Here are some of the most common signs of a rental scam.
- Listing Details are Vague- The more details a rental listing has, the better. If the listing doesn’t describe the property, the lease term, the rental rate, utilities, and amenities, you’ll want to inquire further.
- Limited Selection of Photos- If the listing doesn’t include photos or there aren’t enough photos to get a good idea of the property, it could be a red flag. If you request more photos from the landlord and they don’t provide them or don’t want to give an in-person tour, it’s a major red flag.
- Rent Is Too Good to Be True- If the rental rate is low or seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look for reasonable and competitive rental rates while comparing similar properties.
- They Want You to Sign or Pay Immediately- If the landlord or property manager requests payment before you see the property, it’s a major red flag. Don’t submit any type of payment until you see the property and sign the lease agreement.
- Maintenance Is Overlooked- If you’re looking through the photos on a property listing and the unit has signs of damage or maintenance issues, it could be a sign that it’s not well-maintained. Chances are, when you move in, maintenance won’t be a top priority.
Questions to Ask a Landlord or Property Manager
Despite carefully evaluating the rental listing, it’s important to ask the landlord or property manager some questions before signing a lease agreement. After all, you’ll want to clear up any questions or misunderstandings to ensure you’re both on the same page. Here are some of the questions to keep in mind if you’re looking to move to a new rental property.
- What is the monthly rent?
- Are there any additional fees?
- Is there a late payment policy?
- What is the duration of the lease?
- Are there penalties for breaking the lease?
- How are maintenance and repair requests handled?
- Is there an emergency maintenance line available?
- Which utilities are included in the rent?
- What security measures are in place?
- Is the property pet-friendly?
- What are the parking rules and regulations?
- What’s the process for lease renewal?
- What amenities are available within the property?
- When is the property available for move-in?
- What is the process for returning the security deposit?
Find Reliability With Property Management
Evaluating rental listings carefully before moving forward with a rental agreement is crucial for prospective tenants. You’ll want to find trustworthy, reliable listings that give you enough information about the property before you see it in person. That said, communication with your landlord or property manager is equally as important. If you have questions or concerns about a rental property, you’ll want to bring them up as soon as possible.
Need More Advice? contact us today!
If you’re looking for a reliable property management company to handle your rentals, consider Bay Property Management Group. We strive for excellence in every area of property management, whether it’s screening tenants, collecting payments, or performing maintenance. Learn more about our comprehensive rental management services in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC.
