House-hunting in any state can be quite daunting. However, you should never rush into signing a Florida residential lease agreement. You can only make the right choices with careful planning and the right documents by your side. Here’s what you need to know about finding a great rental in Florida.
Figuring Out Your Budget
Your first move should be to check Florida’s rental market. If you have a specific part of the state in mind, focus your search here. Lake City, Deltona, and Pensacola have relatively cheap rental rates if your budget is something you’re worried about.
On this topic, people spend roughly 30% of their monthly income on rent. Going higher than this could just cause problems and money troubles further down the line. Use 30% as a baseline for your budget —and check properties with this in mind.
Your price limit can lock you out of properties that would otherwise be perfect for you. But on the other hand, this means you won’t be struggling as much to make ends meet. Above all else, the places you pick must be affordable.
Narrowing Down the Options
Put together a list of options and try your best to narrow it down. Price might be the main factor, but you’ll also still want a place you’ll like living in. There are also practical considerations. If you have a child, for example, make sure you’re near a school.
You may even accept higher rent for a central location. On this front, look up the neighborhoods you’d be living in. Florida is generally safe for families, but it has a higher crime rate than most states. You should definitely prioritize the state’s safer parts where you can.
This stage is where you let your priorities run free. You’ll likely have to compromise on one or two of these, however. It’s tough finding the perfect rental that fits all your preferences. But you’ll still be able to get somewhere that ticks most of these boxes.
Viewing the Properties You Like
Once you have your favorites, you can start arranging viewings. Get in touch with the owners or realtors behind the properties. They’ll be happy to show you around the place at a suitable time. When you’re there, don’t be afraid to ask about the home.
Keep a look out for any signs of damage or disrepair. You can even ask about these directly. At the very least, get confirmation that the landlord will fix any issues. If you’re not in Florida, ask to do a virtual tour via video call.
Make sure you look at each room before leaving. Some landlords will avoid parts of the property that aren’t up to their standards during a tour. You should also ask the current tenant, or tenants, for their opinions on the property if you get a chance.
Using Florida’s Rental Laws
The rules surrounding tenancies are different in every state. There are certain aspects of a property that Florida landlords will have to disclose. This includes the presence of lead-based paint in homes from before 1978. In this case, they’ll also have to give you a special safety pamphlet.
Landlords should keep you in the loop about fire safety if the building has over three stories. On top of this, they’ll let you know about any instances of radon gas on the property. This may even be a factor if you eventually decide to set up a lease agreement.
They will also outline the rules affecting your security deposit. Florida actually has no limits on a minimum deposit amount. Many states cap this at around 1-2 months of rent. If there aren’t any deductions, you should get the money back within 15 days of your contract ending.
Negotiating With Landlords
It’s possible you’ll have no problem getting the property you want. However, if this isn’t the case, you may need to start negotiating with the owner. These conversations will give you insight into your landlord. Their attitude could easily change your final decision.
If the rent is affordable but high, ask if you can get special perks to make the most of it. This can include free parking, new appliances, or even entirely new furniture. Some owners (though not all, unfortunately) will be happy to accommodate you.
If you’re considering more than one offer, make sure each owner knows this. They might even consider lowering the rent if they want to take you on board. Negotiating won’t always give you what you want — but it’s still worth giving it a try.
Conclusion
Never settle when you’re looking for a great Florida rental property. At the very least, you should explore as many options that fit your preferences as you can. When you find a place that works, use a pre-made lease agreement to guarantee it’s all legally binding.
We hope you found this blog post on A Guide To Finding A Great Place To Rent In Florida useful. Be sure to check out our post on Tips To Move To Florida Easier for more great tips!
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