Renting a home in Columbia can be a stressful process. Here are tips from local experts to help you
Looking for a home to rent in the Midlands can be a stressful process. It often requires hours of research and many days spent scrolling through rental sites looking for the perfect house or apartment.
Here are some tips from local experts to help make the rental housing search process easier and help renters find a place that fits their needs.
Timing your search
Jim Patton, the broker-in-charge at Patton Properties, said with the current level of supply and demand in the housing market, it is a good idea for renters to start looking for a place earlier than they think they need to.
“People used to make decisions during one month, you know, will give notice (on) the first and be out by the end,” Patton said. “But today, that’s not advisable because there’s ... more and more competition by other renters. Sooner is always better.”
He said prospective renters should give themselves 60 to 90 days to find a place. He suggests looking at popular sites like Zillow but also said renters can be successful by driving through areas they might be interested in, as there are multiple properties not advertised online.
For college students looking for rentals, Blair Layman, the assistant director of community engagement at the University of South Carolina, has similar advice. Apartments with desirable characteristics like proximity to campus or Williams-Brice Stadium often sell out fast, starting in October before the following school year.
Layman generally suggests that students have a place picked out and a lease signed for the next year by spring break. However, while off-campus student apartments fill quickly in the fall, most houses advertised for students are not listed until the late spring semester. Layman said this gives students looking for a townhome, house or duplex a little more time to settle on a place.
According to Patton, the general public often looks for housing from May through August when school is out and moving is more manageable. He said that looking during other months, when there are fewer people searching, might help people find a better deal.
“So the times outside that, less competition, less movement, and sometimes more inventory,” Patton said.
Prioritize what matters
Patton suggested that from the get-go, renters make a list of characteristics they are looking for in a house or apartment and prioritize what they care the most about or use the most.
Emily Blackshire Giel, a housing justice attorney at the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, said she recognizes that for many people, the search for a rental starts and stops at the price tag. Still, she encourages individuals to prioritize their health and safety as much as possible.
“I would, when touring, just make note of any possible health and safety risks — if the place has mold, if there’s visible holes in the walls, if there’s a creaky stair that looks like it could become rotted out,” Giel said. “I would make note of those things and bring them up to the landlord prior to see if you can talk to them about getting them fixed.”
Before signing a lease, Giel said renters should check the city of Columbia’s code enforcement GIS map for existing code violations that may impact their health. The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs website is also a place to check for any complaints that may be filed against the landlord of a property, according to Giel.
Giel said this type of research can inform and prepare renters and help them avoid frustration later on.
Layman also suggested that individuals prioritize safety, and she encourages renters to check the city’s online crime map. She said that roommates and budget are also big priorities for many people.
To stay within budget, Layman said it is important for renters to consider unexpected expenses and consider their needs, such as transportation to campus for students.
“Make sure that you understand what you’re responsible for, like exactly how much is your rent because sometimes apartments they’ll advertise, ‘Hey, we have the space for $800 a month,’” Layman said. “And that may be well in your budget, but then does that include parking? Does that include utilities in any of those things?”
Patton said that while many people prioritize location when looking for a place to rent, he thinks more people should be prioritizing the value of a property.
“Today’s market, particularly, is priced upon square footage, predominantly, and demand of location. So I would say to people think twice, you know, picking the premier location means you’re going to premier price,” Patton said. “I would say look more in value, more for your dollar, particularly if you’re looking to not be renting in five to 10 years.”
Take a tour, and speak up
“The first thing, go see it in person,” Layman said.
Layman said even if the renter needs to send a friend or family member to tour an apartment in their place, it is an important step that can help people get a feel for a location. She said getting a realistic idea of the apartment or house before moving in is essential.
“Whenever you go on a tour, you can expect to see the model apartment home, which has been professionally cleaned, decorated,” Layman said. “Maybe they could schedule another tour, just to see what something looks like without all the pretty decor just to give you a very realistic expectation of what you’re getting into.”
According to Layman, renters can never ask too many questions, especially if they are a student or new to renting. She said that during tours, individuals should get as many details as possible, including maintenance turnaround times and any additional expenses.
In-person tours can also be an excellent time to identify red and green flags that might not be shown online. Giel said that individuals should look for problems such as mold or potential risks like a broken stairwell that might be overlooked.
Giel said renters should speak up immediately about any of these issues and ensure they are fixed before moving into their rental.
For Patton, how long properties have been on the market can also be a warning sign. In this market, most houses are only available for about 60 days, according to Patton, so if a house has been on the market for longer, “you want to pay more attention to it.”
While there are many red flags to look out for, Giel also said there are also some good signs for a rental.
Giel said to look out for landlords who are receptive to concerns and questions, as well as landlords or property management companies who are responsive. A positive review of a rental from a friend or relative can also be a good sign, according to Giel.
“I mean, there’s some amazing landlords out there who are we’re going the extra mile to ensure that their properties are habitable,” Giel said. “So I think if you can feel that out on the front end, that’s always really helpful.”
Be a good tenant
All the experts agreed that being a good tenant is crucial to a successful renting experience. Their number one piece of advice? Read the lease.
“Reading the lease is very important,” Patton said. “People hate to do that, they find it an annoyance, but it’s very important because it does share what the landlord’s going to say he’s going to do and what he expects of the tenant.”
Giel said renters should do everything possible to communicate with their landlords and comply with their leases. Individuals should be proactive, according to Giel, by letting their landlord know as soon as there is an issue and informing them of any changes in their living situation as quickly as possible.
She said that even before renting a place, individuals should consider the conditions they need to be good tenants and neighbors.
“Like if you’re weightlifting in your apartment, let’s say find space on the first floor, so like you’re not causing noise issues with your neighbors,” Giel said. “Think about the things that you do in your unit and how you can minimize possible conflict by asking for whatever accommodation you need.”
Tenants should also do everything they can to prevent eviction filings and keep up with their credit history, as Giel said these are key considerations when looking for another place to rent.
Giel said it is a good idea for renters to keep a written record of all communications with their landlords. They should also consider looking up the county public index to see if their living place consistently files evictions. According to Giel, many evictions are often a bad sign for renters.
On South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center’s website, Giel said there are many additional resources to help tenants stay informed about their rights.
Patton said to remember that a lot of wisdom about renting comes from experience. While it is helpful to find resources online or be able to talk to someone for advice, he said renters will gain the most knowledge along the way.
“Expect that mistakes will be made, and learn from them,” Patton said.
