As real estate agents, we particularly like to work with people who come to see the chosen apartment prepared. If you’re looking for a flat, you might want to think about the questions you would like to ask, before you go and see it in person. If you come up with questions and a definite idea, it’s easier to make a good impression on the owner and on the other hand, you are less likely to forget the most important questions.
Housing maintenance questions
The question that applies for every tenant is what the overhead costs could be for their chosen apartment. Based on many years of experience, I would say that some of the items that make up the overhead costs are indeed dependent on consumption, but let’s not be content with overly general numbers. The winter heating bill of the previous residents can be a starting point, even if they liked a cooler temperature or, on the contrary, heated more than average because of their young child. I suggest for the prospective tenant to ask the landlord for the bills paid during the last heating season. If there are no bills, as this could occur (e.g. the property has just been purchased by the owner) we should still try to find out an approximate lump sum, either based on the information of the previous owner or the experience of the real estate agent.
Ask about the monthly common cost, because its amount varies for every real estate. The common cost is the same amount each month. In some condominiums, it may be necessary to take part in the cleaning of the stairwells. It is also good to know who our immediate neighbors will be.
If the area is not familiar to us, feel free to inquire about the possibilities of public transportation, shopping facilities and it is the best if we clarify the orientation of the apartment on our first visit to the apartment. It is essential to know which service provider’s internet service is available in the apartment, and whether the owner agrees to conclude a subscription contract in our own name, or whether we can bring our previous subscription with us. It is also good if we clarify what equipments belong to the apartment and if the owner is willing to supplement other devices as well.
If we plan on keeping a pet in the future, we should raise the possibility of this with the owners in the beginning. If we smoke, always indicate and ask about its rules. (There are just a few things that are more unpleasant than when a smoker denies his harmful passion while a slight cigarette smell swings around him during the showin).
Things to clarify before signing the contract
It is important to discuss what kind of contract the parties want. They prefer a fixed-term contract or want an open-ended contract with a certain period of notice. It should be clarified whether the owner like to receive the payment of the rent by bank transfer or insists on getting in cash. What should be the rate of the deposit? Although many people think they know the concept of deposit, it is good to read through the detailed rules of the legal nature of the security deposit.
How will the utility fees be settled and accounted for? By the dictation method that accounts for the actual consumption, or by flat-rate payment, with tsemi-annual or annual consumption settlement? How will the communication and payment happen? If the payment is not made by bank transfer, will the tenant receive a receipt for the paid bills? If the prospective tenant needs an invoice, it is the best to tell the owner or real estate agent that before calling the apartment, but at the latest when viewing the property.