[MUSIC PLAYING]

Caroline Zomermaand:

You're ready to rent an apartment or a house. Congratulations. Before you put down your deposit, we suggest you take these eight steps to help you get the home and the deal that is right for you. First, identify your price range.

How much can you comfortably pay for an apartment or house? Try to keep your rent between 25% to 28% of your monthly income. That is before you pay any other expenses, such as heat and electricity. Second, pick the right neighborhood for your needs.

There's location to consider. Find answers to questions such as how far is this apartment from your work? How exactly would you get to work? And does the area have public transportation?

Is there a nearby hospital in case of emergency? How close would you be to restaurants, shopping, and entertainment? You'll also want to get a sense of your neighbors. Could there be any problems with noise, lights, or safety?

Be sure to drive or walk around the neighborhood during the day, at night, and on weekends. Third, know the parking options. If you have a car, where would you park, and how much might that cost? And if you don't have a car, consider looking into parking options for your guests.

Fourth, study the lease. You may want to have a real estate attorney look at the lease before you sign it. But also, you should look at it carefully. One of the most important things to consider is, how long is this lease exactly?

If you are a student and need the place for only nine months, be sure to sign a lease for only that length of time. Many landlords will hold you to the full term, and many leases do not permit sublets. Here are some other things you'll also want to find out. What are the exact move-in and move-out times?

What will or won't the landlord do about repairs? What would you be responsible for? How much freedom do you have to, say, repaint the walls or put up pictures? Can you get a reduction on rent if you sign a longer term lease?

How much is the security deposit? Also, what's required for you to get that deposit back in full at the end of the lease? A security deposit can be anywhere from one to three months of the rent and must be paid along with the first month's rent before you move in. Generally, you'll get your full deposit back only if the home is in the same condition as you found it.

So if, on day one, you see a stain on the carpet, take a picture and send it to the landlord straight away. Create a record. Fifth, consider the landlord. Search online for information about this landlord.

If you can, talk to current tenants. Six, assess the amenities. For some people, it's essential to have a gym or swimming pool on site. For others, they're a luxury.

So be honest with yourself. What do you need, and what do you simply want? Seven, test all appliances. Take the time to check that everything works.

Turn on the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Do they function properly? Open the refrigerator. Is it cold?

Does it smell? Run the water in all showers and baths. How is the pressure? And does the water get hot enough?

Flush the toilets. Do they work well? Your final step, number eight, is to get renter's insurance. You may have not thought of this, but consider getting renter's insurance to replace any property that is stolen from your apartment.

You'll also need it to cover your liability if somebody visiting your place gets injured. So let's recap. Identify your price range. Pick the right neighborhood for you.

Know the parking options. Study the lease. Consider the landlord. Assess the amenities. Test all appliances.

And, finally, number eight, get renter's insurance. And that's it. Once you've taken these eight simple steps, you are ready to rent. Good luck on your search.

And we wish you all the happiness in your new home.

[MUSIC PLAYING]