16 September 2020
English
If you're looking to rent a house, there are certain aspects and precautions you should take. These recommendations are important not only for students or people who opt for seasonal temporary rentals, but also for everyone who wants to rent a house.
You should choose the house you wish to rent taking into account several factors that, in addition to your personal taste, benefit you.
The location of the house is one of the most important factors. The proximity to your places of interest such as work, college, leisure areas, commerce... It's an aspect to consider because in this way you don't need to make unnecessary displacements that can weigh on your wallet. If you rent a house far from your place of work or where you are going to study, count on the monthly value of the travel tickets as a fixed expense. If you use public transport, choose to rent a house near the main stations of the transport network that suits you best.
You should consider the value of the house rental. Evaluate your income so that the rent does not exceed 35% of the household's income. If you find it hard not to exceed that percentage, think about sharing a house or renting a room to make it more affordable.
The larger the area of the house and the more rooms it has, the more expensive it will be and the more expenses it will have. If the house has more rooms, consider sharing with a friend or colleague so you can share expenses.
A furnished house is the best option if you want to rent a house temporarily, as is the case with a displaced student or teacher. However, it can have a small disadvantage that is the payment of a deposit or some rents in advance to cover possible damage to the furniture. If you choose to rent a property without furniture, you have the expense of furnishing it.
Research the various offers of houses to rent. It is important that you check the various options available, taking into account your preferences and the items listed above, to choose the best possible option. There are several websites and online rental platforms that make it easier to search using the filters you want to make it easier to compare. Ask friends, colleagues, family and acquaintances if they know of homes to rent. You can also search at newsagents and cafes, sometimes they have ads posted, as well as in places near colleges where they rent houses and rooms to students.
Visit the various houses you have chosen and question any doubts that may arise. Check the environment of the surrounding area, the state of conservation inside and outside, the state of the electrical system, plumbing and furniture. You can ask the owner some documents related to the property and that are obligatory to provide:
The rental contract must be signed in writing and contain the identification of both parties (owner and tenant), identification and address of the house to be rented, the purpose of the contract which in this case will be a housing lease and license to use. The contract must state the agreed rental amount, payment deadline, place and form of payment (it is advised that the payment is not made in cash so that you can have a record as proof of payment of the rent). Always ask the landlord for the receipt as it will serve as proof of payment.
The duration of the lease and the period for terminating the contract as well as the date on which it is signed must be stipulated. If there is no indication to the contrary in the lease contract, the rent may be updated annually, according to the values stipulated for that year by the Official Gazette until 31 October of each year.
When renting a property with furniture, along with the contract there should be an addendum to the list of existing furniture and its state of preservation.
Ask the landlord about the guarantees he wants. The landlord can request bail, advance rents and/or guarantors.
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