Renting a residence when relocating overseas is a desirable choice that comes with many benefits. Renting enables you to explore a location before deciding to stay there permanently – if you have future plans to purchase a property.

You don’t wish to be confined to an area you dislike. You could perhaps choose to relocate somewhere – if you find that the nation you picked to live in is not quite right. Without needing to initially sell a house, renting is much simpler to accomplish.

The excellent thing is that it’s rather simple to rent a house in a foreign country.

 

How to rent a residential property outside the US: 7 important tips

Let’s check out how you can land a good deal if you wish to rent a home outside the US.

 

1.   Begin your research from home

In most nations, rental homes are extensively listed online by property management businesses or real estate brokers. Locate such kinds of websites by searching Google with a keyword like — long-term rentals in [country name and area].

Additionally, you’ll gain a significant amount of ground time as well. Make a database of potential buildings after scanning the vacancies. When you arrive in the region of your choice, connect with local partners and do a physical tour of the homes.

Always verify that a house remains available because sometimes webpage postings are outdated or another broker has given the property on rent.

Remember that the finest bargains are frequently discovered on the field. There are listings in regional publications and newspapers.

Additionally, connecting with immigrants and local residents can help you generate multiple leads since some homes are snapped up prior to being listed online due to their exceptional value – especially if the houses are located in prospering areas.

 

2.   Ensure to get a landlord recommendation letter

To prove your integrity and dependability as a renter, make sure to get a recommendation letter from your previous/current landlord. Help them out with a free landlord recommendation letter template – which they can simply download to edit and customize with the required fields.

This referral will likely be required to finish your background investigation by your prospective landlord. Let your owner know that you’re a trustworthy renter who can pay your rent on time and are economically secure with a recommendation letter.

It can strengthen your request and cover up any flaws, including poor credit history. It guarantees the prospective landlord that you’ll follow commitments, make timely rent payments, and avoid defaults.

 

3.   Inspect the property before making any advance payments

Never give a deposit before viewing the property. True, this could entail paying extra to book a hotel as you focus your quest. This is however better than finding out later that the website’s photographs don’t reflect the situation.

Most landlords and building managers are upright people, but it’s better to be careful than sorry. Again, if you’re having trouble finding rented properties in a specific location, it’s possible that this is because several homeowners are renting out their residences for short periods of time.

It’s particularly true in well-known beach destinations. In this situation, make an effort to get in touch with the management or the proprietor of a holiday home and propose to remain there permanently. The temptation of a monthly income is frequently more alluring to agree to long-term deals.

 

4.   Carefully read and review all documents

 

Considering that rental leases are legally-binding contracts, it’s critical that you thoroughly read and comprehend every word. Look at details including who is accountable for performing repairs and upkeep on the building and equipment.

Or, how many days’ notice must be provided if the contract is to be terminated early? There shouldn’t be any shocks. Get a translator if the agreement is written in a dialect other than your own.

Always thoroughly document the belongings of the house and any harm it may have before renting. Expat-friendly rentals frequently come completely furnished.

Additionally, when you vacate, the landlords or building managers are typically meticulous in looking for any lost or damaged items. Check to see if everything listed as being included in the lease is actually present.

Again, in America, landlords frequently request a resident’s credit history to assess their financial health. When you relocate abroad, you’ll have no financial status there.

In order to evaluate if you’re a good tenant, certain locations will therefore request additional paperwork, such as income proof. If you require to carry any documentation from the US, be careful to enquire about the specifics before traveling there.

 

5.   Always negotiate the rent

A listed price for a certain property is always available. However, since they possess a fixed source of revenue for a particular amount of time, most landlords and building managers are understanding with long-term tenants.

You, therefore, get some negotiating power. Thus, before you sign the lease, make sure to request a reduction in the rent. You’d be shocked at how frequently the landlord concurs. And if you can reduce a few extra bucks from your net rent, it would surely be worthwhile to try.

Regarding the security deposit, the norm is typically one month’s rental. However, in other nations, your landlord could require a commitment of between three and six months’ payment.

 

6.   Look into expenses other than monthly rent

Keep in mind that the monthly rent is just the beginning. You’ll need to pay one-time fees like relocation costs, and fees for utilities like power, internet, and water. In some nations, you have to pay real estate agent commissions that are typically equal to a month’s rent.

There are also recurring expenses such as wages for the gardener and maid, alongside bills for heating and gas — depending on the establishment, which might be very expensive if you reside in a sunny coastal region.

In certain regions and constructions, residents are also responsible for paying a monthly charge to assist with maintenance and repairs. Inquire with the proprietor for an assessment of it all.

 

7.   Look for additional perks

Asking for additional services to be added to the monthly rent is another aspect of negotiating. You might be eligible for free water, electricity, cleaning, cable, gardening, or Wifi. There are numerous options.

You definitely want to maintain a connection when you relocate abroad in today’s technological age, whether you’re working remotely or chatting online with loved ones. You’ll need a dependable way to connect to the internet so you can use your cell phone to place calls and access the internet.

High-speed broadband is now offered in a number of places, however, it isn’t always accessible everywhere and there remain zones where transmissions aren’t reliable. Therefore, investigate the connections beforehand.

 

Do your due diligence while renting a home in a foreign land

Even if you might’ve had a few bad experiences with your apartment rentals, it doesn’t always follow that everyone is trying to take advantage of you. However, it happens more frequently than you may imagine in other countries.

Regardless of how trustworthy they initially appear to be, be aware of the owners. Whenever you choose to rent in a foreign nation, do your homework. You’ll be safe as long as you use diligence and remain as cautious as you can be.

 

Author bio

Atreyee Chowdhury is a freelance content writer with more than 10+ years of professional experience. She is passionate about helping SMBs and enterprises achieve their content marketing goals with her carefully crafted and compelling content. She loves to read, travel, and experiment with different cuisines in her free time. You can follow her on LinkedIn.