Becoming a Tenant for the First Time: Tips for Single Mothers

The current housing market has made renting a property a vital part of how we live today. Since house prices have significantly outstripped wages and with all expenses associated with raising a family, it is almost impossible to get on the property ladder, making renting the preferred option. Renting property not only appeals to tenants who want to get onto the property ladder, but it also offers flexibility for individuals such as single mothers who are moving into a new area or downsizing.

Estate agents often run a background check on potential tenants to identify red flags and avoid problematic tenants before arranging viewings. Even though renting gives you greater flexibility than owning a property, it still takes money and time to locate the right place to rent. This means that you should be more careful when looking for a place that would suit you and your family.

What Every Single Mother Should Know When Renting For The First Time

1. How You Can Pay The Rent

Familiarize yourself with your residential lease agreement. A resident lease agreement will help you comprehend how you will pay rent, the amount and when it needs to be paid.

2. How Rental Leases Work

A lease is an essential binding agreement that defines how much to pay the property manager, your basic responsibilities as a tenant, and how long you will rent the property. After signing a lease, you are bound to concede on everything set out in it for the agreement period. Therefore, you must wrap your head around this document and read it thoroughly.

If you breach your lease conditions, your property manager will have the right to issue you with a notice or even evict you.

3. What Your Tenant Rights Are

As a tenant, you are entitled to multiple basic rights, and it is not all about responsibility. For instance, your right to privacy indicates that your property manager/ landlord can not show up at your house unannounced. The property manager also can not coerce you into paying for things like general repairs and maintenance.

4. The Relevance of Your Property Condition Report

After your application is accepted and you are ready to move your family into your place, you will be provided with a PCR (property condition report) by the property management team or your landlord. You must go through the report for any irregularities against what you want in the property; in case you discover damage to your property that is not computed in the original property condition report.

5. Where You Stand on Repairs and Maintenance

If you own something that is damaged or broken that is not part of the property itself, you have to confirm whether it is covered by your contents insurance. The right contents insurance policy for renters covers repairs or replacement of your belongings after loss or damage caused by theft, fire, flood or storm, and more.

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, your property manager is responsible for keeping the property in good condition for you to live in. Your role as a tenant is to ensure that the property stays clean and undamaged.

Winding UP

Your property manager is a service provider, and you are their client. It is important to nurture this business relationship by speaking with the respect of one business party to another, being respectful of the property you are leasing, and respecting the lease agreement you signed.

In return, the property owner should aim to keep you a satisfied client and treat you with respect. Property managers are more willing to cut some slack for tenants who take good care of the rental property and have a track record of paying on time. Therefore it is also important to ensure that your kids don't go around damaging stuff and costing you more money on repairs.

Additionally, it is important to note that property managers make both the renewal and rent hike decisions based on the tenant's track record when it comes to lease renewal.

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