TOP 5 SIGNS YOUR APARTMENT ISN’T THE RIGHT CHOICE

In one of our recent articles, we shed light on the various pros and cons of buying or renting a home. But there are certain issues which hardly have anything to do with buying or renting… certain basic issues that one must be sure of before taking possession of a property.

We have compiled a list of the top 5 signs which will tell you whether or not your property interest is worth your moolah!

With Ahmedabad steadily progressing, a lot of migrants are settling down, adding to our huge population, in this wondrous city with the hopes of making it big one day!

…Thus, simply because fewer rental options are available doesn’t mean you should settle for a place that will make you miserable.

Whether you’re looking for an paying guest / sharing apartment for the upcoming academic year or looking to relocate your family, it’s just as important as ever to be able to distinguish the good apartments from the lousy ones.

Here is what you should be cautious of:

Windows / Doors:

The first thing you see when you walk into a room is a window or a door… however we tend to overlook the finer details of the same. Old and creaky windows or tight doors might not serve their purpose properly. In fact, gaps or spaces between window panes and or the glass can let the heating and air-conditioning of the room escape.

Another important reason to have fool-proof and proper doors and windows is for safety reasons.

Thus, it is extremely important to make sure all the doors and windows are in good working order.

Wall paint / Cement Cracks:

Wall paints can tell you a lot! If you find the paint peeling or cracking, it is a sure shot sign of moisture in the walls! This can be caused due to leaky pipes or wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. The treatments are expensive and they look quite ugly on the walls.

In Gujarat, earthquakes and tremors have been notorious in the past leaving their traces in the forms of huge cracks in the walls – both on the inside as well as outside. Minor scratch like cracks are passable, but huge cracks need to be properly examined.

In exceptional cases, peeling paints can be a health hazard as the paint may be lead-based.

Maintenance:

Maintenance does not simply mean the lifts and the foyers. Maintenance also means the working conditions of home appliances, tube lights, fans, taps, showers and the likes.

One must also keep an eye out for termites, cockroaches, mouse droppings and signs of other pests.

Leaky taps and showers can result in moisture buildup behind the walls and ultimately mold and mildew. 

Extremely noisy or extremely quiet:

Fights? Quarrels? Noisy children? Loud music?

It is advised that one must be familiar with and about the people who live in the building or, better yet, ask one of your potential neighbors since they will likely be the most forthcoming.

That way you can see what the building is like at night versus during the afternoon and get a better sense of whether it’s too noisy or perhaps too quiet for you.

Locality:

Even if the apartment meets all of the above criteria, it could still prove to be a bad choice if the locality isn’t to your liking.

The general vibe you get from the area is 90% responsible for you to lock or unlock a deal.  

It is also really important to be aware of the crimes happening in the area by keeping up with local newspapers – like the average number of burglaries, vandalism and other petty crimes that could affect your safety.