Wondering how to check if a rental property is legit? Most renters find themselves torn between renting from a private landlord, going for social housing schemes, and dealing with local councils or letting agents. Each option has pros and cons, but the leading choice boils down to how much rent is to you, the renter.
While there are advantages to it, it’s only natural that you may want to know the disadvantages of renting from a private landlord. However, in some cases, renting from a private landlord is the last route for renters, while others prefer renting from private landlords.
What are the disadvantages of renting from a private landlord?
If you want to know how to rent smart, then you must be aware of the disadvantages to renting from a private landlord. However, problems stand out with renting from a private landlord include:
Maintenance issues
If you rent from a private landlord, they will likely run the rental property full-time. Hence, there might be delays in responding to maintenance requests from the property owner. On the flip side, a property management company should have access to full-time on-site management teams that can manage and maintain the property.
Less concern during tenant turnover
Private landlords have a track record of not caring much when tenants leave their rental apartments. Property managers usually offer lock changes between tenants, for example, but a private landlord will only do that sometimes.
In most cases, the tenants change the locks, which is an additional cost. Furthermore, property management companies will ensure that rental properties are clean and adequately maintained before renting them out to a new tenant. Contrarily, private landlords may choose to clean and maintain the property, but this rarely happens.
Lacking amenities
Since it’s a private rental, they won’t be able to provide some amenities which property management companies can offer. Individuals who run private rentals will want to cut down on things they feel are optional to provide for tenants. Some amenities you shouldn’t expect with private landlords include exercise rooms, swimming pools, walking paths, and community gardens.
Poor grounds keeping
Big-time property management companies offer perks like snow removal and landscaping. They care for groundskeeping and save you the time, money, and energy of doing it yourself. However, private rentals are unlikely to offer such services. Private renting is unlikely to offer additional services. If they offer such services, it will cost you additional fees.
No stable service providers
Not all people are trustworthy. Your safety is questionable when you check out a privately owned rental property, especially if it’s your first time. Furthermore, you’re meeting a stranger in an unknown location. Hence, taking a friend who can tag along to view the property is best. In addition, you could run a background check on the private property rental history you’re interested in from other tenants or people who live around.
Unresponsive landlords
Most private landlords must be made aware of the landlord and tenancy law in Australia. Hence, they are bound to neglect their legal responsibilities towards tenants. As a result, living in such a rental apartment can be unbearable. Further, private landlords are difficult to contact. Dealing with unresponsive or ignorant people can be nerve-racking.
Regulation
Private landlords don’t have anyone regulating their activities. On the other hand, letting agents and property managers are constantly watched and controlled. No law binds private landlords to a governing or professional body. Thus, you may come in contact with scammers and rogue landlords in your house hunt. Hence, you must conduct a background check on a property before you can pay rent on it.
Private landlords are limited
It can be challenging to come in contact with a standup private landlord. Since the market is dominated by professional property management companies, privately managed properties take a lot of work to spot. Hence, if you favour renting privately managed properties more, you might need help picking one out.
Informal agreements
Most private landlords don’t offer written contracts for you to sign. They instead rely on informal agreement methods, which may cause problems if they don’t live up to their word. If such a situation arises, you won’t have any contract to show in court if the landlord breaches the agreed terms and conditions.
People also ask
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions. Hence, if you have further questions, here are the answers.
What are my rights when I rent privately
Usually, rental lease agreements define tenants’ rights and responsibilities to avoid unnecessary troubles with private landlords or property managers. Ensure you go through these rental lease agreements to fully understand your tenant rights.
Who is a private landlord published by law?
Private landlords are people who own and rent out their property to tenants themselves. They don’t employ the services of a property management company or a property manager.
Are there any disadvantages of renting from a private landlord or a private real estate agent?
There are several advantages to private renting. However, you may find the disadvantages overwhelming if you aim at saving money. Potential renters should consider other options.
