If you are fresh out of college, renting an apartment is always an exciting journey especially if the place is across the country away from home. Having come from a land far away (Sarawak), I totally understand the need to move on short notice and sometimes having to make compromises in order to find a balance between time and circumstances.
Sometimes, that means having to rely on friends and acquaintances in finding a new home without having any knowledge of the location and property.
However, should you consider renting a home sight unseen if you have no friends or trusted acquaintances in the new place?
Generally, you should not rent a home sight unseen because it puts you at high risk of being scammed in a phantom rental scheme where fake listings are created to collect on deposit. Besides that, you may find yourself fooled by doctored pictures that do not represent the true condition of the home.
The risk of renting a home without seeing it first
1. Falling victim to a rental scam
Unfortunately, rental scams are all too common and it becomes much easier to fall prey if you are renting sight unseen. With the request for upfront payments, being able to see an apartment in person is still the best way to avoid rental fraud.
Other than seeing the apartment in person, it is also important to do your due diligence when renting an apartment.
In Malaysia, here are some common rental scams to look out for,
- Duplicated advertisement: Fake landlords or real estate agent post an advertisement for the real property but the contact information is altered.
- Fake rental listing: Rental listings with low prices that do not exist where the scammer intends to collect on a deposit.
- Bait-and-switch: Fraudulent real estate agent could try to get a lease signed on a different property than that advertised.
- Already leased: Fraudulent landlord may inform you the apartment is recently leased and encourages you to increase the rent if you wish to secure the place.
2. Pictures are not the best way to judge things
Let’s face it, with the proper lighting and the right focus even the most hideous living room can be made to look cosy and welcoming. However, what it does not offer are the other senses we live on.
Renting a place sight unseen does not offer the sense of smell, it does not tell you if the place is properly dusted and it will most definitely not tell you of the finer conditions such as cleanliness.
It could be a situation where mold is growing and the place is getting musky. Perhaps, the water pressure is too weak for your liking, and the light exposure in your bedroom is not up to your preference.
All this can be avoided if you had visited the apartment personally.
3. Home is a difference in opinion
Everybody has a different opinion on what is important and acceptable to them.
But this place you are renting is not their home but yours. Unless you are able to share what is important and acceptable to you in full detail and ahead of time, the friend or agent may have a difference in opinion on what works for a rental apartment.
Beyond the apartment space, how do you tell if the neighbourhood will be a good fit for your family? While we do not always get to know the neighbours before moving in, being there to view the place personally can give you a sense of the family next door.
I would like to think of myself as an experienced renter and every time I’m out home hunting, I try to make sense of the space and imagine how my family will enjoy the space. For example, I’d picture a lovely evening with my wife on the sofa enjoying a movie.
I would also imagine how I will use the dining area to host my close friends for a dinner party and to talk about life and our aspirations.
All this will not be possible if I do not visit the place personally.
Why would people rent a place sight unseen if it is risky?
Some apartment renters, despite knowing the risk, would choose to rent an apartment sight unseen because of their unique circumstances where they cannot make a house-hunting trip. It could be a new job that starts immediately and the family is in a rush to move in.
In another situation, the world is suddenly at a standstill because of a pandemic and social distancing becomes the new normal. Not to mention, apartment tours are being put on hold while you are faced with a lease that is about to end.
While we do hope to be among the lucky few whose landlords are willing to extend the lease and on top of that, give us a discount, some of us are just not that lucky and are forced to seek out a new home.
If the above is you in a sticky situation and you really need to rent an apartment sight unseen, then you should be prepared to do the necessary work to rent a suitable home.
What should I do before renting an apartment without visiting it?
1. Do Your Research, Research, and More Research
Now imagine with me, you are physically on a tour visiting this place that is about to be your new home. You are new to the neighbourhood and as you drive toward the house, you see a little girl bringing her furry brother out for a lovely walk.
Approaching the house, you drive up the pavement and see this cosy little place that reminds you of home. Entering the main entrance, you are greeted by this professional real estate agent that is about to show you the rooms and help you picture how the family will utilize the place.
Now if would indulge me again, you are at home and you are looking at this wonderful listing online. You are swiping through the pictures but you cannot imagine how spacious is the place and how friendly is the neighborhood.
In reality, not having the other senses involved in our decision-making can be really scary. Hence, it is important to do as much research as possible if you are unable to tour the place physically.
Check out the place on Google Street View
If you do not know what is Google Street View, then you will want to get on Google Maps and turn on the street view function. When you are on Google Street View, drag and drop that little person onto the street and there you will have a feel of the place.
From Google Street View, here is some guidance on things that you will want to check,
- The house or the apartment – Is the exterior of the place well maintained?
- Check out the neighbourhood by doing a 360 view – Do you feel comfortable living there?
- Check out the nearby businesses – Where are the nearest grocery store and amenities?
Get in touch with a friend
While I admit not everyone has the same network, if you have any friends in the area, you can always engage them to be your private eyes on the ground. Ask them nicely to check out any potential apartments for you and to make note of anything that would be of interest.
If you are clear on your requirements, then it will most definitely be helpful if you can list them for your friends’ reference.
2. Work with a trusted real estate agent
Renting an apartment without physically touring it really does require a leap of faith. In order to minimize your risk, the best way is to work closely with reputable real estate agents or property management companies with a proven track record for success.
To help you filter through the pool of real estate agents, here are 7 quick questions to ask before engaging a stranger agent,
- Are you an accredited real estate agent certified by the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents & Property Managers (BOVAEP) and where can I find you on BOVAEP’s website?
- Are you a real estate agent (REA) or a real estate negotiator (REN)?
- Is your experience in the real estate market focused on rental properties?
- Who will pay your fees if I successfully settle down in a place under your recommendation?
- Do you have any advice for me as I go home hunting without physically visiting the place?
3. Always request a virtual tour
A picture isn’t always the closest representative of reality. Put a professional photographer to work and the quick magic of photo editing can really make a simple apartment look welcoming, cosy, and deceiving.
If you are already asking for updated pictures of the place, kudos to you! However, can I suggest you go the extra mile in safeguarding your and your family’s interests?
Set a time with the real estate agent or landlord to have a video tour of the place. On top of that, it will be significantly helpful if you can get your hands on the floorplans. Having the floor plan as a reference during the virtual tour can really help you grasp a good perspective on your future home.
4. Don’t be shy to ask more questions
Let’s admit it, we sometimes do not ask enough questions because we are afraid of sounding silly. In reality, there is nothing more silly than to make an avoidable blunder should you have asked in the first place.
Moving into a new place is already an overwhelming process and adding to it, the inability to actually see it in person can make the entire process extremely stressful. Hence, be confident and ask the necessary questions!
What are my lease terms? What is the deposit or move-in costs? Will my lease go up after COVID-19? Can I please have a lower rent?
5. Consider a shorter lease
The only foolproof strategy to prevent you from being trapped in a horror apartment masquerading as a daydream may be a short-term lease. Even though they could be more expensive, they are a better option than long-term leases because you might not be able to break the agreement if anything isn’t right. Once you’re certain you’ve made the right choice, you can always ask your landlord to change to a longer lease.
There is no ideal strategy for renting before seeing a property, but as with anything else in life, always go with your gut. If something seems too good to be true, double-check it or move on to another listing.
Final Words
Even though it may seem difficult, completing your research will help you have a seamless experience renting an apartment before visiting it. Take your time and follow your gut feelings as you go. Keep in mind that anything that seems too wonderful to be true certainly is. Click on the icon below if you need assistance finding an apartment that meets all of your requirements.
Until then, stay safe peeps!
