"Renting a single-family home can bring a sense of upgrade from apartment living, offering more space and privacy. However, first-time house renters often face unexpected additional costs that come with this newfound freedom. These hidden expenses, such as trash pickup, pest control, pool maintenance, HOA fees, and yard upkeep, can impact monthly budgets significantly if not accounted for upfront. It's crucial to understand these costs before signing a lease to avoid financial surprises later on."
"Negotiating extra rental costs is possible, especially for variable expenses like lawn care or pool maintenance by discussing including services in the rent or negotiating a lower base rent to offset additional expenses."
"Researching and avoiding rental scams is essential by verifying property ownership, checking for red flags like cash-only payments or vague lease terms, and comparing fees in the neighborhood to spot any discrepancies."
Renting a single-family home provides more space and privacy compared with apartment living. First-time house renters frequently encounter unexpected additional costs associated with single-family properties. Hidden expenses include trash pickup, pest control, pool maintenance, homeowners association fees, and yard upkeep. These costs can significantly affect monthly budgets if not identified and accounted for before moving in. Tenants can attempt to negotiate responsibility for variable services or a lower base rent to offset extra expenses. Verifying property ownership, spotting red flags like cash-only payments or vague lease terms, and comparing neighborhood fees help avoid rental scams.
Read at SFGATE
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