Safety at Home: Top 10 Tips for Renting an Apartment or House

How often have we rented a home or apartment trusting that our landlords have our safety at heart. Essentially, our safety is at their discretion. Sometimes, we may realize through experience that its most effective that we take responsibility for our own safety. Do not always be so naive as to expect your landlord to take an active role in safe guarding your house or apartment. We should actively engage in precautionary measures to ensure that our home, our belongings and our occupants are safe from harm, vandalism and theft. Thank you for visiting this HubNugget Nominated Hub.

First of all when renting out a place have a check list handy in table format. When you visit one apartment to another; be sure to check the columns pertaining to the rows associated with each apartment address. Finally, when you arrive home, you can easily compare each apartment building and see which offers the most with the least associated cost.

However, be weary of landlords that offer too many incentives. Some landlords may offer short term rentals for less than six months. That is not a common practice in the market. While others may be willing to rent without asking for proof of income or proper documents. Not even a SIN card. Its important that you take extra caution when renting from these landlords. These landlords most likely will not have your safety at heart. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Trust your intuition. Such high incentive apartments are notorious for having negative ratings on the internet. Ensure that these discounts are not just to garner the attention of prospective tenants who otherwise may not be interested. Its only a discount if you wanted the property at the market price. Otherwise its not a real discount.

Always be on the look out for awards and other accolades garnered by the builder or management for customer service, cleanliness, and apartment features.

In addition, most apartment will be willing to let you take pictures of their main lobby, recreational areas and actual apartments including washroom, rooms, closets, balcony, and kitchen. Be sure that your first picture is in the main lobby or building so you know that these pictures pertain to a particular apartment. Otherwise, photos can become quite confusing. Matching isn't a whole lot of fun. Trust me. I have been there and done that.

Always remember that your objective as a tenant is to ensure that the place is suitable and safe for your occupancy. It takes meticulous research from various sources including the internet. In fact, look at forums for information. Many people are moving from one state to another following job placements.

Always ask about renewal policies. Some apartments may renew your lease unfairly. Always jot down the numbers of days notice they may require.

As the saying goes; renter beware. Contrary to what some may believe - landlords do not always have our best interests in mind. In fact, management in some buildings charge fees for everything from garbage disposal, maintenance and utilities. These additional fees may not always return to you through services. These savings from charging more, but providing less; could benefit management and owners.

Perform a thorough inspection for pests and rodents. Look for odd smells or mold build up. Mold could be a sign of poor upkeep. Take a look at the garbage disposal in the apartment. If you notice garbage piled up to the point of tipping over. Well, its a sign that your neighbors may not have any pride of occupancy. In addition, one can easily judge an apartment by how clean and functional the washroom is. Its a good indication of the staff maintenance and overall quality of the apartment and building. In fact, talk to neighbors prior to renting the apartment. Many people will be more than willing to share information about their experience.

Landlords in the United States, for instance, cannot really divulge information pertaining to the safety of a particular apartment building. They also cannot give you statistics on the crime in a particular area. However, this information is readily available through the local police station. Be sure that you are not renting in a crime infested neighborhood. So, make sure you check that prior to renting. Its so important. I thought I was being smart when I moved into an apartment building for a bargain price. The very next month, my laptop was stolen from the dining room table. The laptop was the only thing that I had a receipt for and the deductible was $1000. So, I couldn't reclaim that from our insurance.

Its best practice that you change locks when you rent. Its quite likely that we won't have too many maintenance requests. So, when you do have requests make sure that the management inform you of the day when someone may enter your home. They cannot have access to your home anytime during the week. That is unacceptable. If you submit the order on Monday. You should be informed of when they might take care of it. So, if its the following Thursday. Then you can change the lock on that day to the original apartment lock so they can have access to your home on that day. The other days; there is no reason for anyone to enter your house.

This also means that you need to treat your home like you own home. Do not leave cigarettes buds in the dustpan or leave you stove on unattended. This can put your home and your neighbors in danger.

Another option would be to lock important documents in your room and provide access to your washroom and kitchen where maintenance is most likely required. There is no reason for someone to be snooping in your room while your not at home; when you placed an order for a flushing problem with the toilet. Its best we safeguard our belongings.

However, we can sometimes make an exception in a luxury condo with a great reputation and track record with the local police station. In such cases, you make consider keeping the existing front door lock. However, if the apartment is charging a fairly reasonably rent then I would recommend that you change the front door lock. Prior to renting the place, the painters and maintenance staff have had access to your home. They may also be able to access your home afterwards. So, make sure that the rental office does not allow for random maintenance without your permission (24 hr notice is required). Its not acceptable otherwise. Also, staff should not be allowed to show your property to prospective renters without giving you a 24 hr notification.

Always take tenants insurance when renting. Many apartment buildings recommend tenants insurance, because they are aware that burglaries do happen from time to time. Its best that you keep receipts of all the items that you have in your apartment that are of value. For instance, your laptops, appliances, electronics, music systems, etc. Make sure you are aware of the type of coverage offered by your insurance company. For instance, certain insurance companies have a deductible that you have to pay upfront prior to placing a claim. So, the amount over that deductible will be covered by the insurance company. On the other hand, homeowners insurance is mandatory. Certain things like a fireplace, neighborhood, alarm system and value of the home can make a significant impact on your insurance.

When you sign your documents for the lease, take your time to read and ask questions. Do not rush through the process. For instance, there is a section in the document where they may ask you how you wish for staff to handle maintenance requests. I would prefer to have a scheduled appointment rather than a random drop in after placing a maintenance order. This shows you that maintenance and staff are respectful towards your privacy and personal space. Many reputable apartments have online systems where maintenance can be placed efficiently. Its a great system. Always ask for a copy of your lease.

When renting make sure that you know the policy about showing your apartment to prospective renters while you are renting the place. There is no reason why anyone needs to be in your house when you don't have a maintenance request. I may seem harsh, but I have one too many incidents of inconvenience. Your home is your dwelling.

Always have a lock from the inside of the door that prevents people from entering the house even if they have a key. For instance, if you are using the restroom while someone knocks on the door for maintenance. Suppose, you don't hear them while you in the shower, which is likely. You don't want to walk out of the restroom to find a maintenance worker in your living room trying to fix your bulb. We had one such incident, but thankfully we had a lock from the inside. The rental office called us and asked us if we had changed the locks. We told them that we did not request for maintenance. They said the worker must have accidentally opened the door for a paint job for another apartment.

I was furious when I heard this. Forget the maintenance workers. As far as I am concerned, I am paying my rent and the safety of people in my home is most important. These locks can be purchased at home depot. This way even if the maintenance workers have access to your home; they cannot access your home when you are at home; unless and only if you open the door via the inside lock. This is critical to your safety and privacy while at home.

And if you suspect that someone has broken into your apartment. Do not go around and look for items that may have gone missing. When you do this then you have contaminated the crime scene with your finger prints. Its best to call the police and inform them of the incident. They will have a record and they can trace the finger prints if its someone that is already on their file. Its the best way to go. During such an instance, the police officer who arrived at our home informed us that the apartment we were living in was known for crime and burglaries. We moved out immediately, but paid the difference. It wasn't a wise decision. The most important thing is your safety when you are renting.

Do not expect a lot of compassion from your landlord or rental office if your house has been broken into. They will easily tell you that you left your front door open and ask that you fill out a report. It happens all the time. Its not a big issue for rental agencies. Its important that you take cautionary measures for your safety. Always check your front door before leaving. Push the door and don't just assume its locked. Make sure that you know 100% that the front doors was locked. Also, even at home ensure that the front door is locked. We sometimes forget to lock the door when we rush inside carrying groceries. Do not make that mistake. Always check the doors.

Its not uncommon for apartments to have alarm systems. It used to be that you don't have to worry about thieves and break ins in apartment buildings due to the on site security. However, its not the case nowadays. You have to be cautious and an alarm system is not a bad idea if you can afford it. Sometimes, its best that you go with a professional alarm system that actually works if you are really concerned about your valuables. However, I prefer tenant's insurance. Most likely, the thieves are not into stealing your personal wedding album. However, keep your citizenship cards and other vital documents in the bank locker when renting. These documents can be used against you. Also, ensure that the smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order as well.

• Activities: Swimming pools, tennis courts, gym, walking trail, picnic areas, pet areas, and play areas for children.
• Appliances: Washer & Dryer (or just a hookup), microwave, dish washer, oven/stove, garbage disposal, etc.
• Bathrooms: Be aware of the number of washrooms, with or without a tub or standing shower. Check the pressure in the washroom. Ensure that its good. Some apartments may offer free water, but may have it reduced so low during non peak hours. Some may just have low water pressure always. If your morning shower is important to you then take close attention to this.
• Cable or Dish: Be aware that not all apartments offer dish service, because the reception may be poor. Also, some apartment may be very picky about their service providers. Ask to see if your favorite provider of cable and internet service is permitted in your new area. Some apartments may include cable or dish service for free. Ask about it.
• Ceiling Fans: A ceiling fan can make a world of difference when its hot. Its also a great source for circulating air thorough out the house. Your house is less likely to feel stuffy with a ceiling fan. If possible, ask the homeowner to change the ceiling fan for you.
• Fireplace: Although I consider it a luxury. It adds great mood to your apartment. I personally have a preference for a fireplace in the master bedroom. A fireplace is great for winter.
• Internet: Be aware that Voice over IP (internet phone) may be the only way of communication in apartments. You may think you are paying for a traditional land line. You are not. Some cable providers don't have access to the lines in some apartments as they do in houses. It may be wise to look at a voice over phone service provider in that case. It may be a cost effective option. However, its paramount that your 911 number be attached to your house. In case there is an emergency; you don't want the emergency crew to arrive at the wrong destination. It can happen and it is serious. This has actually happened to a friend's work colleague. If you are in doubt about your ability of informing your phone service provider of your new address. Then by all means - a traditional brick and mortar service provider is best as they ensure that your home and 911 service are in sync.
• Kitchen Space: Ensure that the counter space is sufficient for your cooking needs. For those who have the bells and whistles of counter appliances. Also, if you would like to have higher end features; perhaps looking at condominiums may suit your fancy. Actually, many condos can be rented online as well as in person. Rental offers are placed by owners themselves in the common recreational areas and in the laundry rooms. I have found some great condos by calling the condo owner directly.
• Living Space: This can make a huge difference in terms of organizing your home and reducing clutter. You need to ensure that the space ensures that clutter is minimized. Sometimes, we make compromises because there are too many items that we cannot live without.
• Parking: Some apartments and condominiums charge a lot for parking. Some even include heated parking. So, if you have an old 1976 wagon. Think about it. Also, ask them if the parking is indoors or outdoors. If its indoors; find out if its all the way down in the 3rd level basement. It can be annoying on a daily basis. Take a look at the garage and ensure that its properly lit.
• Pets: Ask about the cost associated with having a pet. Find out about the tolerance for pets in the building. If you don't have a pet then you may not want to be on the pet floor if there is a premium involved. Also, some people may be more tolerant of their own pets, but less of other pets barking. Take that into consideration. Ask around and be proactive.
• Renter's Insurance: Don't think you are saving if your landlord does not require that you get Tenant's insurance. If your belongings are stolen then your savings can gone. Like the old saying, don't be penny wise, but pound foolish. I learned the hard way.
• Storage: Some apartment building offer storage for bicycles and other items. Also, don't assume that you can use the balcony as storage. Some buildings have a policy that the balcony should be clean and not unsightly from outside. You will be surprised at the creative ways people use their balcony for.

Hubs related to Home. You may find these interesting and informative. Thank you for visiting this HubNugget Nominated Hub. Please come again.

1) Restroom Etiquette - 10 Tips for the Washroom - When looking for a home. Please take into consideration that people often judge your home by how clean your washroom is. So, ensure that you have a decent washroom to begin with. You will feel more at peace when you make those monthly payments. A washroom also can make a huge difference in the resale value of your home.

2) How to Get Organized Now - Free Yourself from Mess - Its important to ensure the safety of your home. That should be the first on your priority list. Next, it really makes the space livable when its free of clutter. Clutter can make the most beautiful home feel overbearing. Less is actually more. It may seem like its hard to accept in our world of bigger is better. However, with the recent foreclosures in America. Its best we start changing the way we think. With less space available; its more important than ever that we need to focus on having less items. Its just doesn't make sense to have less space; but have the same amount of clutter as one would in a mansion.

3) Should You Share Responsibilities in Relationships - When moving into a new home. Its easy to let the dishes pile up. Its important to set the household rules from the very beginning. Share the responsibilities from the beginning. It will make the experience of maintaining, cleaning and having a clutter free home all the more easier to achieve. A beautiful home starts with the occupants sharing the same mindset. Sharing is caring.