Unseen Risks in Rental Homes: What to Look Out For

When looking for a rental home, there are warnings that point to some potential problems that you need to look out for, namely 'red flags'. Noticing these signs in advance can save you from both material and spiritual troubles.

Here are some critical points you should not ignore when looking for a home and a small but effective guide on how you should act in this situation!

1. Bad Smell: Your Nose May Be Alerting You

Watch out if a strange smell greets you when you step into the house! Mold, dampness, dampness or odors from old plumbing can be harbingers of serious problems.

What to Do?

• If the smell combines with a trace of mold on the ceilings or corner walls, then there may be a problem of humidity in the house.
• Check out hidden areas such as carpet bottoms, kitchen bottom cabinets.
• Be sure to ask the landlord or realtor the source of the smell. Do not be fooled by transitions such as “Do not wash the carpet”.
• Especially in basements, such smells are more common, so be sure to check whether air circulation is provided or by what method it is provided.

2. Flooding and Plumbing Traces

Yellowed spots on the ceiling, peeling on the walls, blisters on the parquet... These can be markers of an old water leak. And if the problem has not been solved radically, the chances that it will affect you, too, are unfortunately very high.

What to Do?

• If there is a ring-shaped stain on the ceiling, there may be a problem in the attic or upstairs.
• Check out the pipe connections under the combi or sink.
• If there is a feeling of dampness on the floor of the house, be sure to check if there is blistering on the parquet.
• If possible, conduct a detailed inspection in daylight.

3. Try Doors and Windows: Safety and Heat Problems

Sliding doors, windows that do not close fully, windows that leak cold air... These are not only annoying details, but also problems that are not friendly to your safety, comfort and family budget.

What to Do?

• Open and close the windows. Is the slider working properly?
• Do the doors fit snugly to the crate, is there a gap?
• Double glass or single glass? Especially in winter it will be an important question in terms of warming.
• Balcony doors that do not close can be a threat to security. Locks must be checked.

4. Electrical Installation: An Unattended But Dangerous Substance

Open wires on the wall, swinging sockets, interruptions in burning lamps... Although these often seem like minor problems, they should not be thrown into the wild.

What to Do?

• Look at the number of outlets in the house and its layout. Is it useful?
• If there is an old-style fuse box, ask if it has been switched to a modern system.
• Make sure the lights are running in all rooms.

If you are not very familiar with electrical work, ask a familiar electrician for advice.

5. Environmental Factors: Noise, Safety, Neighborhood...

The outside is as important as the inside of the house. If you are someone who is disturbed by noise, the sound of construction in the next door building, the loud laughter of the neighbors, or the bad smell of the restaurant downstairs can be quite annoying. So, what can be done about these invisible factors?

What to Do?

• Go to see the house at different times of the day: morning, evening and especially at the weekend for voice control.
• Check if there is enough lighting on the street.
• If possible, talk a few words with the neighbors, they will give an idea of the environment.
• If there are factors such as school, hospital, highway nearby, weigh the advantage or disadvantage for you.

There's a lot of detail to pay attention to, isn't it? It is unfortunately not enough to evaluate a house with features such as a beautiful kitchen or a spacious lounge. Keeping an eye out for these red flags, which seem small but can have big consequences, is worth the gold to live peacefully, enjoyably in your new home!