This is a sponsored guest post.
Finding the perfect flat to live in can be a challenge. Whether it’s a shared flat or an apartment to rent on your own, there are many factors that you have to consider to find ‘The One’. Besides looking for the right people to live with, you also need to take into account the area that you’re moving into and how far it is from work.
If you don’t know where to start, below are some tips to help you kickstart your search for the perfect place.
- Set a budget that you can afford
Before hitting that search button, you need to establish the monthly budget that you can allocate for rent. You can do this by deducting bills and other expenses like food, shopping, and entertainment. This is easy if you’re already renting, but if it’s the first time that you’re moving out of home, you may need a bit of work on it. When figuring out this amount, you also need to make sure that you won’t struggle to pay everything and you’ll still have a decent amount left for savings.
- Choose an ideal location
Your budget will determine the area that you can afford. There are many flats to rent in Brentwood and choosing an area near the city will mean more expensive rates. But there are also decent units that are further away and might fit your budget better. To start the hunt, tick your preferred suburb and choose three or four more that are near the area. Don’t limit yourself to just one area as you will find it hard to look for a unit that meets your bedroom, bathroom, and space requirements.
You also need to consider the distance to work, whether it’s via driving or public transport. While living further away from the city centre is cheaper, the effort to commute may not be worth your time.
- Schedule an inspection ASAP
Once you find the perfect flat, it’s vital that you express your interest and schedule an inspection as soon as you can. Listings come and go quickly so don’t delay the chance to grab the place of your dreams. Drop a message to the listing owner so they can give you inspection dates that you can schedule with them. You’ll need to keep your schedule as flexible as possible because there is no guarantee that the unit owner can work around your free time.
Don’t take your chances thinking that something better will always come along. You don’t want a ‘could’ve been’ that you will regret in the future.
There’s no need to rush the decision when it comes to choosing a flat to rent. Especially since you’ll be calling it your home for the months to come. If you’ll be sharing with others, get to know the people you’ll be living with by asking the right questions. You can even ask about their schedule, which will be useful every morning if you’re sharing a bathroom with them.
