Getting a place to rent can be quite a challenge. It could take anywhere from a few days to few weeks or even more. Below are the few necessary things you need to consider before you rent that apartment.

CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET CAREFULLY

Before you even look at a property, workout what you can afford by looking at what your expenses are likely to be. For instance, you should expect to incur costs like

• The rent which may be payable in some cases bi-annually (two years in most cases) or annually.
• The tenancy agreement costs, an agent or a lawyer, whoever you decide to deal with will charge a fee for drafting the tenancy agreement.
• Security deposit also known as Caution Fee to ensure compliance with the duties and obligations under the tenancy agreement.
  The Caution Fee is paid as a deposit, in case of any damage that might occur during the duration of your tenancy. The Caution Fee is supposed to be refunded to you if there are no damages.
• Other costs like insurance for your belongings should also be anticipated as the landlord is only under duty to insure for the physical structure.

CHECK OUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

• Consider how secure the area is; whether there are good road networks, street lights and security personnel. Listen out for noise from electricity generators, roaring traffic, barking dogs, because noisy neighbors could be annoying.
• Check out what amenities exist in the area; good power supply, good roads, clean water supply, is there a local supermarket, hospital or nearby schools if you have kids?
• Find out about public transport. Is it easy and close by? Is it regular? Is it close to your work place?
• Look out for car parking space. Even if you don’t have a car yourself, it may come in handy when you have visitors.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THE PROPERTY

Check out the property’s state of repair and if repairs are needed ask if the landlord would be willing to do them before you move in.

EVALUATE SECURITY

Check out how the windows, doors and door locks if they are vulnerable to being burgled. Look at the immediate surrounding. Check to see if the fences and walls are secure and whether they would require additional security.

WORK OUT THE TOTAL COST

• Check out how much the Caution fee and agreement fee is. Ask the landlord to confirm how much it is and when you will get it back
• Double-check the rent details. How much is it and when is it due, who you pay it to and how.
• Ask the estate agent about administration costs. If you used an agent there may be extra costs when you sign the tenancy agreement or when it runs out in the future.
• Work out how much anything that isn’t provided will cost, you may have to save up to get everything you need.

FEES AND COMMISSON

Agent's Fee: You should expect to pay a 10% commission fee to the agent that referred you to the landlord or property caretaker
Lawyer's Commission: You should expect to pay a 10% Tenancy agreement fee to the lawyer of the landlord or property caretaker. Before signing, read and if necessary get professional advice on any document you have to sign.

KEY PARTS OF THE TENANCY AGREEMENT

1. Length of the tenancy
2. Mode of rent payment
3. What the caution fee and agreement fee is
4. Who will hold it and how it will be held
5. How you will get it back
6. How much, and who will pay for work at the end of the tenancy, renewing the agreement or cleaning the property.

FINALLY, MOVING IN

This can be a very exciting moment and it’s easy to forget a few important things:

• Insure your own belongings
• Make your own notes of the meter readings both for water and electricity (as the case may be) so as not to pay bills for services you did not consume.
• Finally make sure you know how all the basic things on the property works.