By: Jacob Maslow

A rental company can greatly enhance your living experience or, at times, make things challenging. The company is tasked with everything from collecting rental payments and maintaining the property to responding to emergency situations and handling tenant disputes. A bad rental company could leave you living in a home with a constantly dripping faucet and a toilet that never flushes properly. It could leave you without an AC system for days on end in the peak of summer, or it may not respond to a serious pest infestation in a reasonable period of time. By using the right rental company, you can avoid these and many other stressful situations. How can you research a rental company thoroughly before signing a new lease?

Read Renter Reviews

Previous tenants who have rented from a company often post reviews online, and these reviews are chock full of valuable information. However, when reading reviews, remember that many satisfied renters will not leave a review. People are more likely to leave reviews when they are unhappy. As a result, there may be a disproportionately high number of bad reviews. Rather than look at star ratings, take time to read through the reviews to learn about actual experiences. Note common threads in the reviews, such as a company’s history of taking a long time to respond to maintenance requests or issues with processing rent payments. These are things that you do not want to learn about only after you sign a lease.

Talk to Other Tenants

If a rental company manages a block of homes, you have easy access to other tenants who are currently experiencing the service that the company provides. You can return to the community later without the rental manager with you for candid conversations. Speak with any tenants that you find outdoors, or knock on a few doors if you cannot find anyone outside. Explain that you are thinking about renting a home nearby and are interested in how they like the management company. To get a well-rounded idea of what experience you could have, speak with multiple residents. Also, inquire how long each tenant has lived in the community.

Review the BBB Rating

When a tenant has serious issues with a rental company, they often escalate the situation to the Better Business Bureau. You can easily learn about the company’s BBB rating with a quick online search, and you can learn more about specific complaints and the total number of complaints. If your area has a tenant’s council or another similar organization, you can also learn more about past and current grievances with the rental company by contacting them.

Your rental company plays a major role in your comfort and safety in your new home. It can affect your finances and your stress level. While it is important to find the right home for your needs and budget, it is equally important that you rent through a credible rental company. Consider these tips to research rental companies before signing a new lease.

Published By: Aize Perez