The prospect of your own apartment is an exciting one - especially when it's your first time. Having a space to call yours, moving out of your home and gaining a whole new level of freedom, the list goes on.
In order to make this the magical experience you imagined, you need to make sure you don't jump in blind. There are a lot of small details that need to be considered, reviewed and agreed upon before you step into your first rental agreement.
1. Compile your needs vs. wants
Every successful process starts with detailed planning - renting is no different. Before you even begin your search, sit down and create a list of wants and needs. Needs are your non-negotiables. People without their own vehicles need to be within walking distance of work or public transportation, while people that do own their own vehicles need access to parking. Wants are your nice-to-haves. For instance, you may like an apartment on the first floor but you could sacrifice it for cheaper rent. It's important to know the difference between the two. Not only will this help you narrow down your search, it ultimately ensures that you have the necessities wherever you end up.
2. Be smart about your budget
This is another big planning step before you start your search. You need to understand what your price range is and stick to that budget. Make sure you are leaving room to factor in miscellaneous bills such as internet, TV, electricity, water, etc. Not all rent numbers account for these extra expenses, so you need to have room to pay them out. Planning in advance for these things will make your search and eventual tenancy much more pleasant.
3. Keep a close eye on the small print
Tenancy agreements are legal documents. This means it's extra important to know (and understand) everything that is in the agreement before you sign. There can be hidden fees in agreements such as charges for late rent, penalties for having pets on sight and fines for smoking.
While these charges are within the landlord's rights, you should be aware of them before you agree to tenancy. If your agreement is littered with legal jargon you may want to have a professional look over the fine print prior to signing.
4. Write everything down
It's very important to keep good records of everything upon moving in. Start by detailing the conditions of everything in the apartment. Take pictures of any dents, scratches or general damage. Go room-by-room and take notes about anything you find odd.
For major damages, be sure to write a formal request to your landlord. Make copies of this document as well as the response you receive. Having these files can be extremely useful if any disagreements arise when you do decide to move out.
5. Know your rights
It's all too common for new renters to not fully understand when they have the right to speak up about living arrangements. This is something that you should definitely be researching before heading into a rental.
For easy reference check out the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Tenancy Services page. This is really important for first time renters to understand, as they need to know how to hold their landlord accountable when necessary.
6. Check your credit score
It is well within the rights of landlords to check your credit score before they agree to take you on as a tenant. If you've skipped out on payments in the past, your score may not paint the best picture for you.
While there's not a whole lot to be done to change your score instantly, it is still good to know where you stand. There are plenty of free online credit score checkers, so fill in your info and see where your stand.
7. Ask about your utilities
Before move-in day make sure you know who is responsible for utilities. Not just in terms of payment but in terms of switching the lights on in the first place. Some landlords will require you to handle the power situation on your own before moving in. If you find that it's on you to set up a utilities contract, reach out to the Contact team and we can get it sorted for you in a few quick steps.
Sure, your new space may not be the luxury mansion of your dreams but it is your very own space - and that's exciting in itself. Keep these tips in mind and you can rest assured that your rental process will go as smoothly as it possibly can.