How To Choose A House To Lease

Choosing a house to lease as opposed to an apartment can seem like a daunting task. If you keep these few simple pointers in mind, the process is simple.

First the neighborhood...

When choosing a house rather than an apartment building to live in, the neighborhood is even more important. In apartment buildings, security is generally built in and getting to know your neighbors is more common, especially at the mailboxes or on the elevator. In a neighborhood filled with single family homes, it is more common to know only a few neighbors. Do your research. Ask relatives, friends and acquaintances about their neighborhoods. Ask how safe they feel and how well they know their neighbors.

...then the house

Once you have determined the neighborhood(s) you feel comfortable in, get in the car. The best way to find houses for rent is on a Sunday drive through your preferred neighborhoods. This way you can see not only the house for rent, but also the adjacent homes. You can learn a lot about potential neighbors by the way they care for their own homes. Take down phone numbers and snag as many flyers as you can manage, noting the address and some defining characteristics of the house for your own reference. When you tour a house, bring a tape measure and the measurements of your furniture. You may find that some of the houses have more square footage than your apartment but they could include more and smaller rooms. Think about how each room could be used and whether the layout of the house suits your lifestyle. Do not feel confined to using each room as the landlord or previous tenant did.

Lease terms

As with any rental agreement, go over the terms carefully. This is especially true when leasing a house. Often utilities that are covered in an apartment lease are not included in a house lease. Find out if sewer and water are included in the rental price or if you are expected to pay gas, electric, cable and so forth. Ask to see a typical monthly utility bill to help plan your budget accordingly. If you have never leased a house before, the one thing you might forget to ask about is landscaping. Determine with the landlord who is responsible for cutting the grass, raking leaves and cleaning gutters. You might even have the opportunity to negotiate the lease price if you are willing to take on these responsibilities.

Just because you are not ready for home-ownership does not mean you cannot live in a house. Find a neighborhood you love and a house for lease to suit your needs.

Bring a tape measure and the measurements of your furniture

by Betsy Pate, Finance writer