Making the move from renting an apartment to renting a house is a big step and can be an exciting time. According to the latest Census data, the number of single-family renter households in the United States increased by 22,000 — a symbolic uptick that highlights the growing popularity of renting houses.
Generally, houses for rent offer more space, making them a great option for growing families who have outgrown their apartment, remote workers who want a quiet home office, pet owners looking for a yard, or anyone who just wants more space and privacy.
While there’s a lot to look forward to when moving from an apartment into a rental house, it also signals a new way of life, and renters who are not prepared can find the transition challenging. Luckily, first-time house renters can implement tips and tricks to ensure their move goes as smoothly as possible.
In a nutshell:
1. Budget for Rising Costs
When moving, creating a clear and realistic budget is essential. But if you’re going from renting an apartment to renting a house, it’s important to plan for more than just moving expenses.
In many cases, living in a house comes with higher overall costs. For starters, rent is usually higher for houses than apartments, which makes sense since houses typically offer more space, extra rooms, and outdoor areas. But with more space comes higher utility bills, as it costs more to heat and cool a full-size home than a smaller apartment.
Outdoor maintenance is another cost to factor in. Renters are often responsible for yard care, so things like mowing the lawn, watering plants, or buying gardening tools can add up. If the home is unfurnished, you may also need to budget for furniture, décor, and possibly new appliances.
To make the move as smooth as possible, it’s wise to prepare for these added expenses in advance. Set aside extra savings to comfortably cover not just your moving costs, but also the ongoing increase in monthly living costs.
2. Complete Pre-Move in Projects in Good Time
Planning ahead is key to making a smooth move from an apartment to a rental house. Certain tasks are much easier to tackle before you bring in furniture. For example, doing a deep clean while the space is still empty allows you to reach every corner and make sure nothing is missed.
It’s also a good idea to arrange utility setups in advance. Reach out to providers about two weeks before your move-in date to ensure everything, like electricity, gas, water, and internet, is up and running when you arrive.
Lastly, check if there’s any leftover paint from the previous tenant or landlord. If so, label the cans and take note of the color codes. This can come in handy later if you need to touch up any scuffs or repairs before moving out.
3. Furnish Wisely
If the house isn’t already furnished, one of the first steps is deciding how to furnish it, and doing so on a budget is key. Look for affordable or even free pieces through yard sales, thrift stores, or online marketplaces before spending big.
While it might be tempting to buy brand-new, high-end furniture right away, it’s best to take your time. It can take a while to truly understand how you’ll use the space, and investing too early may make it harder to adjust later if things don’t fit quite right.
Also, don’t feel the need to furnish everything immediately. If some rooms won’t be used right away, it’s perfectly fine to leave them empty. This gives you more flexibility and time to figure out what you really need, and helps avoid clutter or regrettable purchases.
4. Become Familiar With the Utilities
Even though the majority of maintenance will be taken care of by the landlord, it’s still important for renters to get to know the ins and outs of the house.
For example, a good understanding of the heating and electrical systems is important to ensure they’re used correctly. In particular, check that the breakers in the electrical box are labeled, and if not, label them so that if a fuse blows in the future, it can easily be reset.
Additionally, it’s important to find out where the main water valve is and how to shut it off in case of emergencies. During the pre-move-in inspection, ensure all the electrical and plumbing systems are working correctly. If necessary, it can help to go over everything with the landlord or property manager.
5. Build Up a Toolkit
As a renter, there aren’t many maintenance tasks to take care of. However, it’s still useful to compile a small toolkit when renting a house, for those quick and easy fixes and for small tasks like putting up pictures. It’s more common for house renters to make the place feel more homely than apartment renters, so most won’t have many tools to begin with.
Some toolkit essentials include:
- Tape measure
- Stud finder
- Cordless drill
- Screwdriver set
- Adjustable wrench
- Hammer
- Small stepladder
There’s no need to buy brand new tools, and some older ones can be found for pennies at estate sales.
Alongside tools, a few extra essentials worth buying are:
- Headlamp and torch
- Extension cords
- Picture hanger hooks
- Teflon tape for fixing small leaks quickly
- A plunger
That last one is worth remembering! Most people never know they need a plunger until their drains are blocked and they don’t have one to hand.
6. Prepare for Outdoor Tasks
Most rental houses offer some outdoor space, and it’s common for the renter to take responsibility for the basic maintenance. Tasks such as mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, keeping the path and driveway clean, removing weeds, clearing leaves, and shoveling snow will typically need to be taken care of, and it’s worth being prepared in advance.
You can hire someone to handle yardwork, but be sure to include that in your budget. If you plan to do it yourself, try to gather the basic tools early on. These don’t have to be new or expensive — secondhand options often work just fine.
Some essential tools for maintaining a rental house’s outdoor space include:
- Mower
- Rake
- Snow shovel
- Pressure washer
Note: Avoid making any drastic changes to the garden, and always get permission from the landlord before making significant alterations.
7. Get To Know the Neighbors
Transitioning from an apartment to a rental house often means fewer neighbors, but those around you are likely to stay longer-term. That makes it worth taking the time to introduce yourself early on. A friendly hello or short chat can go a long way in building good relationships.
Getting to know your neighbors can create a stronger sense of community (something that’s often missing in apartment living) and help your new place feel more like home.
8. Consider Additional Security Measures
While most rental homes come with basic security features, houses can be more accessible to intruders than apartment units, particularly if they’re on the ground floor or have multiple entry points. For added peace of mind, renters may want to enhance security with upgrades like doorbell cameras, motion-activated exterior lights, or smart locks.
Before making any installations, it’s essential to get the landlord’s permission. Many landlords are open to reasonable upgrades, especially if they don’t cause permanent changes and enhance the property’s appeal.
Moving from an apartment to a house is a significant change, offering more space and a different living experience. However, it also comes with a set of new responsibilities and adjustments. Planning ahead for things like budgeting for extra costs, setting up utilities, and preparing for outdoor maintenance can help make the transition smoother.
Image credits: Simplylove; Larika24; Skylines/Shutterstock.com
