Finding a new place to live is exciting and it is easy to get caught up in the moment. But, before you decide to move in and start packing, are you sure this is the right home for you and your family? There are several factors to consider before shifting to a new apartment. However, many of the tenants in our country prioritize the most important needs while searching for a rental apartment in Dhaka. That way, when the requirement is met, they tend to agree on the rest of the terms with landlords just to get a hold of the property. But if you want to ensure the right accommodation, there are few questions to ask before renting a property.
How Much Is The Security Deposit?
Apart from the most obvious question of asking ‘how much is the rent?’, you should also ask about the security deposit. Because just like rent, security deposits vary from landlords to landlord. As there are no established policies for such deposits, often times it depends on the owners themselves. Therefore, your desired property may have a suitable rent but on the other hand, security deposit can be abnormally high. The most common practice in our country is to deposit 3 months’ rent in advance. Some landlords may ask for up to 6 months based on the location and type of the property. Since it is a matter of a considerable amount of money, it is always better to know the terms in advance so that you get time to prepare.
How Often Might The Rent Increase?
In our country, the tenancy law restricts an increase in rent within 2 year periods. But very few know or follow this rule and increase rent however they choose. Not only that, landlords also take the authority to increase the rent amount as they feel suitable, sometimes without even consulting existing tenants. Therefore, be sure to clarify this matter with your landlord before you move in. You should clearly ask when they plan to increase the rent and approximately by how much. If they are not comfortable sharing this information, you can ask current tenants if you want. That way, you will get an idea.
Who Pays For Maintenance and Repair?
Maintenance and repair is a common dilemma among landlords and tenants. Many people believe the people using the facility should maintain and repair the property and a large group believes it is the responsibility of the landlord. Whichever side you are on, you should ask the landlord about this. Also, before you move in, take a good look around the property and take note of what may need repairing. You can also take photos as proof and negotiate with the landlord regarding the matter.
Any Additional Costs?
There will be additional costs from time to time. Common additional costs are service charges and festival bonuses of the service staffs. Hence, you should prepare for these expenses ahead of time. Asking your landlord will give you a heads up but these costs are not certain and difficult to predict. But discussing the matter will give you an idea and you can prepare accordingly.
Duration of Notice Period
A notice period is necessary to understand how much time you might get to shift to a new apartment. This notice can come from either party. As a tenant, you should get sufficient time to look for a new place to live. While if you are moving out voluntarily, you should give the landlord sufficient time to find new tenants and protect his income source. Usually, in our country, the notice period is 3 months but again, it depends on the landlords themselves. In special cases, you may find the period shortened when you find your new home and when a landlord gets their new tenants faster than expected.
Any Special In-house Rules?
Every house comes with a few ground rules, which again may vary. Do ask the landlord about any special policies they have. For instance, some households don’t allow pets. Some won’t provide you with parking spaces. There may be rules to keep a register for guests to maintain security. Make sure you know these things before moving in and comply with them once agreed upon.
We hope you get an idea about the questions to ask before renting a new place. If you have any thoughts regarding the matter, please share them with us in the comments section below!
