1. Read your classified section.
   
2. See our rental section, we may have a home for you.
   
3. Look for convenient parking, nearby bus routes, shopping, schools, and laundry facilities (washing machines) in or near the building.
   
4. Find out what is included: How many parking spaces, pets, kids (yes!) and how many people can live in the apartment. Who pays for heat, light, water, taxes. Cable, TV?
   
5. Property taxes are paid by the landlord.
   
6. Usually there is a standard rental agreement, or lease, that both you and your landlord sign. This is a printed document of one or two pages which specifies the number of rooms, utilities and options such as parking or storage space. Read it! Rental agreements usually are on a month to month basis. For longer terms you sign a lease.
   
7. The lease will most likely be for at least one year, and you will have to make an initial payment, possibly the first and last month's rent. You may also be asked for a damage deposit, which will be returned to you when you leave if you have not caused any damage to the property beyond normal use. For this reason it is important to note any damage and tell your landlord before you move in. Note: ALL LEASES IN LAND AND PROPERTY OVER 3 YEARS IN TERM MUST BE REGISTERED AT THE LAND REGISTRY OFFICE IN ORDER TO BE ENFORCEABLE.
   
8. All the above applies whether you rent a house or an apartment.
   
9. What is a condominium? Condominium is a common term denoting "Joint Ownership." Technically a condominium conveys ownership to the center of the wall, ceilings and floors, while the common areas (gardens, playground, walkways) are owned together. Condominiums can be both apartments or townhouses that are individually owned. As well as the mortgage payment and taxes, you will make a monthly payment, the condominium fee, to the manager of the condominium for common maintenance and repairs.

jurock.com

--------------------

About the Writer
Ozzie Jurock is the president of Jurock Publishing Ltd., Editor of Real Estate Insider Publication and Author of Forget About Location Location Location

 - More Renting Tips >>