10 Tips on Renting an Apartment in Leeds.

 

Finding the right apartment or flat to rent in Leeds is not an overly complicated matter, especially when you have this guide to help you along…

Here are 10 of the most important things to bear in mind when you are looking for your perfect rental property –

1. Is it a Case of ‘The Price is Right’?

Knowing exactly how much you can manage to spend on rent each month is obviously of paramount importance.  However, you may be able to afford more than you think…  Cutting back on a few things here and there can make a big difference and free-up a surprising amount of extra cash!
However, the golden rule is to always play it safe; never spend what you can only just afford.
No-one knows what the future has in store and you do not want to find yourself in a jam!

2. Are Pets Allowed? (And Does it Matter?)

i) If you have a feline or canine member of the family to consider then you need to find out whether or not they will be welcome in a prospective property!  After all, not all landlords are dog or cat lovers…
You certainly don’t want to find yourself with the ideal apartment to move into but then having to saying goodbye to Fido or Kitty as a consequence!
ii) On the other hand, if you do not have any pets this is not a problem to begin with.  And if you move to a ‘no pets allowed’ apartment block, then you will not have to put up with barking dogs!

3. Having Some Knowledge of the Area…

If you find a flat or apartment you like the look of, it is always advisable to find out what sort of area it is in.  Is it nice and quiet?  And has there been much crime?   These are important questions and you can easily find the answers…
Ask your friends or family what they know and do a little research online.  A small amount of your time now could save you a lot of noise or aggravation in the months/years to come!

4. Do You Have ‘Room to Move’?

Do you need an apartment with one or two bedrooms?  Think carefully about this as it will normally make a substantial difference to the monthly rent!
You don’t want to find yourself living in cramped conditions, but why pay for any additional bedrooms that you will simply end-up using for ‘storage purposes’???

5. The Question of Furniture…

To go ‘Furnished’ or ‘Unfurnished’; that is the Question… because there are pros and cons with each!
If you already have a large collection of furniture then you will be better off looking at unfurnished apartments (unless you want to have a field day on an internet auction site!).
However, if you are just starting out and you only have a minimal amount of possessions, then furnished may well be the right way to go.

6. What is on Offer Outside?

Are there any shops, pubs or clubs within a short distance of your potential property?  And how far will you need to go to visit your registered G.P?
You may also want to find out if this flat/apartment building is on a bus route or not, especially if it is not right in the middle of the city centre.
Very few properties will have everything right on the doorstep, but some will have far more facilities than others…

7. Is it up to Date?

Some apartment buildings will be bang up to date with superb fixtures and fittings… However, others may prove to be woefully inadequate and it is these that you must be on the lookout for!
Part of this will hinge on how fussy you are and what expectations you have.  After all, contemporary bells and whistles may make your property look top banana, but the chances are that they will also help to bump-up the monthly rent…
Of course, it’s nice to have a bit of luxury, but at the end of the day, a flat or apartment can be perfectly adequate without all of the latest mod cons!

8. Is it a Convenient Place to Live?

If you can find a property that is only a short distance away from your place of work, then you really are onto a winner!  Not only will it make life easier and less hectic, but it will also save you a huge amount of money in bus fares or petrol.
And less time travelling (or simply stuck in traffic!) will also mean shorter working days.  You can get-up later and arrive home earlier!

9. Will you be Able to Park Nearby?

If you have your own vehicle, then you will want to park close to where you live.  Many apartments or flats will include their own parking facilities… but not all of them.  And you need to be aware of this!  After all, having to leave your car two streets away every night of the week is not an ideal situation.
It is always a good idea to find out about where you can park before you get too serious about a property.  This is a pretty important factor and it should certainly not be overlooked!

10. Tenancy agreement

It is also important to know which type of tenancy agreement will be the best for you; short term or long term.