That is why we have listed a step-by-step plan and some useful tips that are important when you are looking for a new rental home. By carefully going through our step-by-step plan before moving into a home, you avoid disappointment.
Step 1: Viewing
What should you pay attention to when you view a room, studio, apartment or house? Be sure to view the following points on our checklist:
- Is the house equipped with double glazing? Spaces with single glazing are often damp, more susceptible to burglary and, in addition, soundproofing is often very limited.
- Are there heating radiators in the room? When you view a home in the summer, you might not pay attention to this.
- Is the house damp, or are damp spots visible? Homes with poor ventilation capacity often have moisture problems. View this carefully during a viewing, because high humidity in the house can cause health problems.
- What about (old) heaters? In combination with poor ventilation, these can lead to life-threatening situations. A well-known problem is the occurrence of carbon monoxide in poorly ventilated areas when natural gas is burned in obsolete stoves.
- What are the sanitary facilities like? Look carefully at the condition of the bathroom, toilet, shower and kitchen.
- Are there sufficient sockets available? Is the electrical installation (inspection) in order? The second point is particularly important for safety.
- Is there a good wireless internet connection in the room or the possibility to connect it? A (properly) working Wi-Fi connection is nowadays indispensable in the home.
- Is the room, studio, apartment the house noisy? This can cause a lot of friction with possible housemates or neighbors.
- Is the house equipped with good locks? Be alert with dated hinges and locks.
- How fireproof is a home? It is important to check whether you can escape in the event of a fire and whether there are fire extinguishers, such as a fire extinguisher, fire blanket and smoke detectors.
- Is there a good (approved) heating boiler present? A dated heating boiler can cause many problems.
Step 2: View the neighborhood!
When viewing a rental home, some people are too concerned about the home itself due to their enthusiasm. For example, what do you know about the new neighborhood? Who will be your new neighbors? Is the neighborhood safe? Is there sufficient public transport? Are there schools in the vicinity? Visit the neighborhood once in the evening and talk to neighbors. This way you get a good idea of the neighborhood in which you will live and whether it is suitable for your (family) situation.
Step 3: The guarantee
It is up to the lessor to decide whether or not a rental deposit is requested. However, according to Belgian law, it is up to the tenant to choose which form it takes. Within certain limits, because the law offers only 3 options:
- guarantee on a blocked account
- bank guarantee with monthly installments
- guarantee through the OCMW
The first and most common guarantee is a one-time deposit to an account in the name of the tenant, but which is blocked for the entire rental period. The number of months that the landlord can request as a guarantee depends on the formula: 2 months for a guarantee on a blocked account, and 3 months for the other two formulas.
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Step 4: Negotiate the price
Does it apply to the rental property that when you move your furniture, you can immediately start living there? Or does it still need to be painted, floors installed or partitions placed? If this is the case, then negotiate with the landlord. In such a situation it is very common to agree a discount on the rental price for one or a few months.
In this step, also check how high the service costs are that come on top of the net rent of a rental home. Service costs include the monthly costs for water and energy, but also, for example, joint costs for cleaning the common areas or a caretaker. Before you sign a lease, it is therefore also good to look at the service costs, to prevent nasty surprises afterwards.
Step 5: Payment
As a tenant you must have paid the first month’s rent and the deposit before the commencement date of the contract. You will then receive the keys to your new home. Agree well with the landlord on which date the rent must be paid.
Step 6: Receive keys
You will receive the keys on the day that the lease starts. So do not have these keys sent by mail, but agree a handover time with the landlord. You can best arrange this appointment in the new home and combine it with a ‘check-in’. Both the tenant and the landlord check the condition of the property and the inventory is also checked. It is wise to also take pictures of the living space at this time. In this way you reduce the chance that you will later have discussions about the state of the house. Make sure that you as a tenant receive a copy of the check-in.
Step 7: Relocation
How should the property be left on departure? Does the rental home have to be delivered empty or returned to the old state? Make sure this does not cause any problems with your deposit. In addition, it is also smart to keep the cancellation period of your lease in mind. If you have plans to relocate, keep this in mind!
Read more: Wanted rental villa: five tips for a successful search
