Six Tips for Finding a Rental Flat Online
There is no easy place to start when it comes to looking for a rental flat online. That is why we have put together a guide to assist you in your search for housing!
Photos By: Unsplash
These tips are set out to provide guidance for finding a rental flat online so read on to find out what you need to know to get started.
Be Prepared
Before you sign a tenancy contract, there is a multifaceted process that comes first. To stop yourself from getting too bogged down in the details, it is useful to break everything down into small chunks and set realistic goals. The most important thing is to be prepared. This is an easy statement to make, but what does it mean? Being prepared encompasses three main points which we explore below.
Know Your Budget Inside Out
Budgeting is one of the major challenges in modern society. However, it doesn’t always have to be a scary thing. You can use a budgeting tool online or you can set one up yourself. Regardless of the process, the outcome of budgeting should be to have a clear and concise list of incomings and outgoings as the endpoint. Write down how much money you have coming in every month, for example, a salary or an allowance, and have this figure at the head of the budgeting sheet.
From here, figure out every single cost you may have to pay over the financial month. These are things like rent payments, Wi-Fi, amenities, food, and transport. Then see how much money you will have left over for leisure and recreational activities. Through this process, you will start to gain an understanding of how far your money has to stretch and how much you may have to play with once all of your financial commitments are complete.
Find the Right Area to Suit You
Where you live is an individual preference and everyone has different goals. You might want to live close to your family or your focus may be a home with fewer work commuting demands. Regardless of the reason, the area has to tick all of your boxes. Families, for example, may want a house near to a desirable educational setting.
Know Exactly Where You Can Compromise and Where You Can’t
Given the current state of the housing market, it can feel impossible to secure your ideal property. However, you should not compromise on your essential needs. If your basic requirements are somewhere close to work that suits your budget, keep looking until you find it. If you give in on location, you will have to factor in additional commuting costs which can take you over budget, so there are two sides to consider in all circumstances.
Consider a Roommate
If you are a single person with a flexible schedule then it may be a good move to look for a roommate. The benefits of sharing accommodation are multiple. These include shared bills such as rent costs and shared responsibility for your space concerning cleaning and maintenance. It also gives you company, an ally for any tenancy disputes, and additional peace of mind when it comes to feeling secure where you live. You may have friends already looking for somewhere to live independently or you might have to search for a flatmate through a legitimate online service.
Enlist Agency Services
If you are really struggling to find somewhere suitable to live, it could be time to enlist the services of a professional. You give a property agent a list of criteria that you want your rental to meet and they do the legwork for you. Of course, there will be an associated fee, but if that is not an issue for you then this becomes a really useful and reliable option. It takes all of the stress out of the property search as everything is arranged on your behalf. An agent can also take care of all associated admin so that you don’t have to worry about getting it wrong. They are your ally and point of support in the sometimes scary world of prospective renting.
HBD vs. Private Rentals
HBD is Singapore’s Housing and Development Board that offers affordable alternatives to private renting. You can find a wide range of HDB rental flats listed on PropertyGuru, the hub for all things housing in Singapore. They provide a complete outline of all of the available HBD properties, how to find them and how to secure a viewing for potential properties. HBD rentals are a viable alternative to private renting, often more affordable with more benefits for property owners and prospective renters alike.
If you follow all of the advice above, you will have a much easier time finding a property than if you were to go it alone. There is help out there if you know where to look and it can even be to your financial benefit to enlist it.
