Looking for a perfect property rental but don’t know where to start? We can help.
Property Rental 101
We’ve gathered some tips for choosing, moving into, maintaining and leaving a rental property — specifically an apartment or townhome.
What to Look For in a Property
As a tenant, you need to be careful about the property you choose. You don’t want to end up in a space that is poorly maintained, has lousy neighbors, etc.
- Find a trustworthy property owner. Look for a well-known property owner with a good reputation. Good property owners will usually treat you fairly and honestly because his or her reputation is on the line.
- Scope out the neighbor situation. Ask your prospective landlord about neighboring tenants. Old, young, partier, non-partier — all could make or break your living situation. Also, make sure the neighborhood is safe.
- Find out what appliances are included. Washer? Dryer? Dishwasher? These are not standard and can cost you more.
- Find out which utilities are included with rent. Are you paying for all utilities on your own or just electricity? Also, what kind of heating/cooling system is used? These answers will factor into your monthly bill.
What to Ask the Landlord to Clean Before you Move
Most landlords will do their due diligence and clean all necessary areas. However, double check that everything is in good shape before you agree to live there.
- Carpets. (Hopefully the landlord will hire a professional service to clean a property rental.)
- All Appliances. (Check inside and out, including the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, sink.)
- Potential mold gathering areas. (Don’t forget kitchen cupboards, sinks, bathtubs, and the laundry area.)
- Garage. (Don’t deal with people’s leftover junk — be sure everything is gone.)
Before you move in or on moving day, make sure to take pictures of anything — from scratches in the linoleum to stains on the carpet — to document its condition.
How to Maintain Your New Rental
Regular cleaning is necessary to keep your rental looking good — and to get your deposit returned.
Which areas should you pay the most attention to? If you live in an apartment, you typically won’t have many rooms to keep up. These tips can apply to your entire apartment or townhome.
- Tile Flooring (use different techniques, depending on type)
- Carpet (vacuum and maintain regularly, hire professionals as needed)
- Mold-susceptible areas (basement, windows, bathroom and kitchen sinks)
- Furniture and Upholstery (some pieces of furniture require more cleaning than others)
Also allergy-proof your rental if you are susceptible. Same goes for pets in a rental property.
How to Leave Your Apartment Clean When You Move Out
You want to get that deposit back, right? Then your apartment or townhome will need to be spick and span.
The best way to go out about this process is to get a checklist from your landlord. Get everything moved out and get to work! Many landlords will clean the carpet themselves and take it out of your deposit. If that’s the case, don’t spend a lot of extra time on cleaning the carpet.
INTEK is Ready
If you encounter any disasters during your stay in your apartment, INTEK can help. With services from carpet cleaning to general cleaning or mold remediation, we can take care of any cleaning issues in the Yankton, Brookings or Sioux Falls area. Before hiring a service, look at your lease to make sure there are not any stipulations about professional cleaning.
Happy rental hunting!
