When moving to a new city (or country) for an extended period, then you are going to want to find somewhere suitable to stay. Hotels and Airbnbs are great for vacations, but the costs can really rack up if you are planning on staying.
Learn The Local Laws For Renting
Most countries have laws and regulations in place which can protect renters from unscrupulous landlords or scams. There are usually also rules that cover how things like security deposits and other money that landlords can ask for.
Buying Can Be An Option
If you are looking to relocate somewhere more permanently, then you might be looking to buy a property. Depending on where you are looking to move to, there can be a lack of affordable housing or prices within your price range. If you are planning on moving to the US, then this is a particular problem in some states right now. In this article. Candea Development looks at the issues surrounding affordable housing.
Get Your Information In Order
Renting can be more difficult if you are relocating from another country. Private landlords might be more cautious as it is more difficult to do the necessary checks on tenants. To make the process as easy as possible, provide as much information upfront as you can. This can include things like references from previous landlords, credit information, and identity documents. It can also be helpful to be able to pay a bigger amount upfront. This can take away some of the fears that you might decide to skip town and not pay rent.
Use A Specialist Lettings Agency
In cities where there is a lot of demand for property from people out of state or in a different country, there are property agencies that deal with this exclusively. They either own the properties themselves, which they then rent out, or they work on behalf of other landlords. They are experts in managing tenants and contacting companies in other countries for information.
Share A Property
Property shares are very popular. It allows someone to split the bills of a property they own with someone else for a period of time. It can be a great way to live in another country for less. There are some downsides though, as you can never guarantee what type of roommate you’re going to get. You could end up with someone very incompatible. Before committing to anything, talk openly about what both you and they expect from living together. This can involve anything from sharing chores to having friends over.
Final Thoughts
Accommodation needs to be top of your list when it comes to moving to another city or country, You want to find somewhere convenient, safe, and within budget. It is not always easy, especially if you are moving from another country, but there are things you can do to make the process easier.
Always do the necessary checks on any landlord or agency you use so that you are not the victim of a scam that could cost you a lot of money.
