If you’re renting and thinking about moving, you’re not alone. There are plenty of reasons for renters to seek out a new home. Some are unavoidable, while others can be managed to ensure minimal disruption.
Sometimes, you might not even want to move, but you feel things would be better in a new rental unit. With this in mind, let’s take a look at 8 common reasons for renters to move, and what you can do to avoid it if you would rather stay put.
1. The Rent is Too High
One of the most common reasons for moving out of your rental is simply not being able to afford the rent anymore. There are many reasons for this;
- The rent has increased,
- Your other living costs have increased,
- Your financial situation has changed, for example, you may have lost your job or had to pay a hefty medical bill.
If you’re a long-term tenant and you have a good relationship with your landlord, you might be able to negotiate a lower rent. It can be in their interest to offer this solution, rather than seeking out new tenants, so it’s always worth asking. If they’re unable to accommodate this, they might be able to offer you a cheaper unit.
2. Disruptive Neighbors
Neighbors from hell can soon stop you from fully enjoying your home. From noise complaints and aggressive pets to unkempt lawns and opposing personalities, whatever the reason, you’ll certainly want to get away from a disruptive neighbor.
But before you move out, there may be alternative solutions to try, especially if you’re otherwise happy with your rental.
- Speak with the neighbor: let them know your concerns and see if you can reach a compromise.
- Speak with the landlord: if your neighbor lives in a unit that’s owned by the same landlord, reach out and see if they’re able to settle any disputes.
Of course, if you don’t feel safe or comfortable around your neighbors, moving could well be the best solution.
3. Trouble With the Landlord
A rocky relationship with your neighbors is one thing, but not getting along with your landlord can be even worse. Unfortunately, it seems to be one of the main reasons that renters choose to move out of their rental.
From unpleasant interactions and failure to address maintenance issues to abusing their position to charge unfair extras, bad landlords are well worth avoiding. Unfortunately, it’s often only when you’ve lived in your rental for a while that the issues start to arise.
However, when seeking out a new rental, always pay attention to how the landlord behaves and look out for red flags such as poor communication, a dismissive manner, and pressuring you into signing the agreement. In addition, be sure to read the lease agreement thoroughly and ensure there’s no room for them to abuse their position.
4. Recurring Maintenance Problems
In most cases, landlords are responsible for the maintenance of your rental unit. As long as you report any issues that occur, it’s down to them to fix them. However, not all landlords take this responsibility as seriously as they should, allowing their rental units to fall into disrepair.
If you’re living in a rental with recurring maintenance problems, such as blocked drains, leaky plumbing, damp and mold issues, or pests, and your landlord doesn’t seem to be taking any action, you have every right to move out.
Be sure to record and document any communication you have regarding maintenance issues. If you decide to terminate your lease early, you can use it as evidence that the landlord has broken the terms of the agreement by not addressing maintenance issues.
5. A Change in the Market
Of course, there are plenty of positive reasons to move out of your current rental too. A change in the market can see your area switch from a landlord’s market, where demand outpaces supply, to a renter’s market, where supply is greater than demand.
In this case, you can often get more bang for your buck and many tenants use it as an excuse to upgrade to a larger home or one in a more desirable location. If you like your current home and prefer not to move, you can still take advantage of a renter’s market. You might be able to negotiate a lower rent or improved amenities.
6. More, or Less, Space is Required
Another major reason to move out of your current rental is that you need more space. Couples who are starting a family will typically want more space and may make the switch from an apartment to a single-family home.
Alternatively, you may be looking to downsize. This is typical of empty nesters or those looking for a smaller space to take care of.
7. They Need to Relocate
Nowadays, people move around a lot more than in the past and there are many good reasons for doing so. One of the main reasons to relocate is for work. If you or your partner has started a new job, you may be required to move to a new neighborhood or city.
Another common reason to relocate is moving for education, either being closer to schools for your children or if you’re a student, moving nearer to institutes of higher education. Moving to be closer to family members is another common reason to relocate too. And, with more people working from home, it’s easier than ever to be close to loved ones.
8. Personal Reasons
There’s a plethora of personal reasons that can cause you to want to move out of your rental. Perhaps you’ve taken a relationship to the next level and wish to move in with a partner. Or maybe you’ve ended a relationship and can no longer afford the space on a single income.
Meanwhile, medical problems can lead to needing to relocate. You may also feel that your current neighborhood is no longer safe. Or perhaps you just want to try life in a new town.
