There are both good things and bad things about having to rent a house. Depending on where you live, you may have lots of choices when it comes to finding a rental, or you may have to settle for whatever you can find. In addition to finding the perfect house to rent, there are some common problems that you might run into when renting a house.
Finding a Rental House
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When it comes to finding a rental house, how easy or complicated this process is depends on where you are looking and your budget.
Houses of all shapes and sizes are available to rent, and they can be found in good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods. To find a house, you may be able to check local rental listings, online, or work with a real estate agent.
State Regulations for Renting a House
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When it comes to renting a house, every state has their own rules and regulations for landlord and tenant rules and responsibilities. There are generally laws in place that make it illegal to discriminate against people when it comes to renting a house.
Landlords generally also have to maintain the premises and keep it habitable. What “habitable” means could vary from state to state, but it often includes having clean water, a fridge, a way to cook food, and a sound structure that protects people from the elements.
The state also establishes certain rights and responsibilities that tenants have to abide by when renting a house. These often pertain to how the landlord can collect rent, what is protected on the property, and how you can file complaints against people who break the laws, among others.
8 Common Problems That Come With Renting a House
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No matter where you live or where you’re looking for a house, the chances that something will be wrong with it is pretty high. However, this is also true if you are buying a house.
No place will ever be perfect, and you have to figure out what you can life with and what you can’t. However, there are some common problems that come with renting a home that you’ll have to overcome.
You Can’t Make the Space Your Own
One of the biggest and most common problems that comes with renting a house is that you can’t make the space your own.
Sure, you can add your own furniture and floor coverings such as rugs, but you often aren’t allowed to paint or make major changes to the interior. Thus, if the house is a bright color or a boring white, you are stuck.
You may be able to add some paintings or wall hangings to hide the drab walls or tone down the color, but you’ll need to ask if you can use nails or you have to hang them in another way.
It Might Not Have the Flooring You Prefer
Not everyone likes carpet, and you may find that the house you want to rent is covered in it. This can be problematic, especially since you won’t be able to replace it and the landlord probably won’t replace it either.
You might also find that the flooring in the house is dated and/or stained. However, because of cost, as long as the floors aren’t violating any federal or state regulations, you
Issues With the Plumbing
Having issues with plumbing is an incredibly common problem that might occur when renting a house. Things such as leaks and clogs can be an indication of larger issues.
Since it doesn’t take much for a small problem to turn into a costly issue, it’s a good idea to report any problems to the landlord and have them taken care of as soon as possible.
Issues With Appliances
Unless you are moving into a house that was newly built or constructed in the last few years, you can guarantee that the appliances will be dated.
As long as they are still working, most landlords/owners don’t want to have to deal with the cost of buying new, so you’ll have to take what you can get.
Noisy Neighbors
It’s possible that no matter where you live or whether you are renting a house or buying one, noisy neighbors will be an issue.
Loud music, revving engines, screaming kids, barking dogs—all of these are things you might have to deal with when you move into a new neighborhood.
As long as there are people, noisy neighbors will be a common occurrence that you’ll have to deal with.
Outdated Interior
Again, unless you are moving into a house that had been built in the last few years, you’ll more than likely have to deal with an outdated interior.
This could pertain to the fixtures, the kitchen and bathroom features, the flooring and anything else that might be included with the house. Since you often aren’t allowed to make changes to the interior, you are often stuck with what you get.
Outdoor Maintenance
When it comes to renting a house, knowing who is responsible for outdoor maintenance could be confusing. This is something that might be outlined in the renter’s agreement, or it might be something you’ll have to ask about.
Just like the interior of the house, you may not be able to make any permanent changes to the exterior. Thus, if you want to plant a garden, trees, or flowers, you may not be a
Getting Issues Fixed
There’s no doubt that when renting a house, issues will arise at some point in time. Knowing who is responsible for getting them fixed, who will pay for them, and how soon the repairs will occur can be a common problem.
There are certain items that federal and state laws require the landlord/owner to take care of, but other things may be your responsibility. Looking at your renter’s agreement may
Steps to Take to Rent a House
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If you are in a situation where you need to rent a house, there are some steps you’ll need to take to accomplish this task. These are listed below.
Step 1: Develop a Budget
The first thing you’ll need to do before renting a house is to determine how much you can afford. On average, you don’t want to spend more than 1/3 of your total income on rent.
You’ll also need to find out if you are responsible for paying for utilities or if this is included in the rent, as these will have an impact on how much you can afford.
You’ll also need to consider whether or not you have to have renter’s insurance. Some landlords require this to ensure that your belongings are protected. They have insurance to protect some things, but the landlord’s insurance generally doesn’t protect personal belongings.
This is another expense that you’ll have to add to your budget. Before committing to renting a place, ask if the landlord has a minimum amount of coverage you’ll need to get.
Step 2: Be Prepared to Compromise
You more than likely have a list of things you want and things you have to have in a house. This could include the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and amount of floor space. You may also want certain features like a two-car garage and fenced in yard.
All of these are good things to have on your list, but be aware that when you start looking for houses, you’ll have to compromise what you want with what you get and figure out which items are the most important.
Step 3: Start Your Search
Once you have an idea of how much you can spend and what you want/need in a house, you can then start your search. This can occur online or by talking to a real estate agent.
In some cases, you’ll be able to talk to the landlord directly. This can be beneficial, as they’ll be able to answer any questions you might have about the property.
Step 4: Check out the House and Ask Lots of Questions
Once you have found some houses that might work, you’ll then need to check them out in person. This will give you an idea if they will have what you need or if there are issues that weren’t apparent online.
While there, make sure to ask lots of questions, including about how the house has been updated or repaired over the years, what major problems have occurred, what your responsibilities are in the home, and anything else that might come to mind.
Step 5: Be Ready for the Landlord’s Demands
In some cases, before renting a house, the landlord may need to run a background or credit check or call references. You may even have to fill out an application form. Try to anticipate what they will ask for and have it ready to make the renting process go quickly and smoothly.
Conclusion
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There are many reasons why you may need to rent a house, and this can be an economical way to find suitable housing. No house will ever be perfect, and there are some common problems that might come with renting a house.
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