Start looking early - and other pointers for finding the right rental

There can be few things in life as stressful as knowing you have to move out of your current home in a few days and you don't yet have a new one. In many parts of South Africa, there are fewer properties available to rent than there are to buy, so being prepared and keeping your eyes open early are essential strategies for finding the home that's right for you. Jawitz Properties has put together a list of pointers to help you in your search for a rental home.

How soon is too soon to start looking for the right place?

If you look at the property rentals available online, you'll find that - generally speaking - they are available immediately, at the beginning of next month or the beginning of the following month. For example, if you're looking to rent a property at the beginning of May, it would be best to start looking in March. More and more properties are likely to become available as you get closer to May, but looking early gives you the best possible chance of finding a great deal.

The great news here is that this doesn't need to be a manual process either - it's a smart idea to register for property alerts in the suburbs and surrounding suburbs that you are interested in. Jawitz Properties as well as various other agencies and property portals offer these kind of email notifications that alert you of properties that match your preferences. These types of alerts range from new properties on the market, to recently price adjusted and on show.

What else can you do to help yourself find the best possible rental property?

For starters, speak to a property practitioner in your area who specialises in rentals. Let him or her know what you're looking for and you could be the first to know when a new property that meets your needs becomes available. This way forward will allow you to build a real relationship with the property practitioner who will understand what you could be flexible on and what are deal breakers in your property rental needs.

There are lots of valid reasons to rent your home through an agent. Topping the list is the fact that if you sign a lease through a reputable property practitioner, you can be sure that the agreement has been written in a way that protects both you and your landlord in every way possible.

The cheapest rental may not be the best rental

Your rent is likely to be one of your biggest monthly expenses and it can be tempting to try and save where possible. Thoughts such as "maybe the kids can share a room so that we only need a two-bedroom property," and "maybe we can downsize to an apartment even though we have a cat" may cross your mind. You need to find the right balance between saving money and having a comfortable home and living environment - and that balance will look different for every family.

In addition, it's important that moving costs are also factored into your decision-making process as you don't want to rent the wrong property and have to move again in 6 months or a years' time.

Three quick tips for savvy tenants

• Be alert to potential scams and never pay a deposit until you have physically seen the property and signed a lease.
• Be aware that your landlord cannot enter the property without your permission. If something needs to be done, a time that suits everybody involved needs to be arranged.
• Insist on doing an inspection of the property with your landlord before you move in. Make sure any existing damage is documented and acknowledged by the landlord.

Everyone looking for a rental home has one thing in common: you will benefit from having an experienced #RealPartner on your side. Contact Jawitz Properties and let us guide you on your property rental journey.