4 Ways You Can Snag Your Dream Rental Home

When renting is your only option, you’ll want to still make the most out of the experience. It starts with you making the decisions as to what kind of housing you would get. These days, you can choose to rent a house, a townhouse, a condominium, or even an apartment. Of course, your choice will depend on your budget, your preferred location, number of rooms, etc.

However, just because many landlords are looking for tenants, it doesn’t guarantee that you can get your dream rental. For one, some landlords have a first-come, first-served basis. Second, landlords would want to make sure they will be dealing with responsible tenants. You may have seen many Richmond City apartments for rent. But even if you’re the first one to show interest on the listing, that does not mean the landlord will hand over the keys to you.

If you’re planning to move to a new rental place, you can increase your chances of being selected with the help of the following tips.

Know how much you can afford

Many fail to realize that the first thing you need to do is to do a financial check. That will not only help you determine how much monthly rental you can comfortably afford. But it also saves you the heartache of finding an apartment you can’t afford. There is also no point in trying to convince a landlord you can afford their rent. Landlords will most likely do a financial check to see if you can pay the rent.

Prep the necessary paperwork

Landlords will want to check a few things before considering you as their new tenant. Bringing with you your paperwork when you meet with the landlord shows you’re professional, responsible, and easy to communicate with. Make sure you listed your past and current addresses, including the start and end dates of each place. List your employers, the date you worked for them, and your salary as well as their contact details and addresses. Don’t forget about three personal references and possibly anything that can show you can pay your previous rent on time.

Give them peace of mind

Since rental properties are an investment, it would be bad for their business if they fail to fill their units with good tenants. Give them peace of mind by exceeding their expectations. Show them you’re serious by arriving on your appointment date on time. If you can, offer to sign a more extended contract and pay a couple of months upfront. Going above and beyond your landlord’s expectations will put you on their preferred list of possible tenants.

Be responsible

Another thing that can make a landlord choose you is by proving you are a responsible person. Let’s say you have your paperwork ready. Being responsible means arriving a few minutes before or on time for your appointment with the landlord. Be sure to dress up appropriately. Be polite and respectful, not only to the landlord but also to everyone. Ask only appropriate questions. It is also a good idea to offer to remove your shoes before going inside the property as it shows you care about the cleanliness of the rental.

When looking for a new home to rent, you’ll want to put your best foot forward to snag your dream rental home. Remember that you’re not the only one choosing your next home. Landlords also have a say in the process and can choose who they want to be their tenants. Keep this list in mind, and you can boost your chances of getting picked by your ideal rental landlord.