If you need an apartment to rent in a city where you are moving to but do not have time to visit that area, you could rent a unit sight unseen. While renting a unit without viewing it has risks, there are also ways you can protect yourself in this event. Here are some of the risks you should be aware of as well as tips to help you protect yourself in the deal.

Risks of renting sight unseen

Buying or renting anything without seeing it first can be risky, primarily because you can tell a lot more about something when you see it in person rather than viewing it online or through pictures. When you rent a unit without seeing it, you will have to base your decision on what you know about the unit and a lot of it will be guesswork. You will not actually be able to see the condition of the unit or its layout. You will not be able to see the buildings next to the unit or the neighborhood. You also will not have any idea about how well your cellphone will work there or what types of neighbors you will have. You will have very little to base your decision on, and this is why renting an apartment sight unseen can be such a risky event.

Tips to protect yourself

If you are in a situation where you will have to rent a unit without seeing it, there are some things you can do to make sure you choose the right unit. One thing you can do is research the neighborhood to see what the area is like. You can look up the area to see what the apartment is located near, and you can look up local crime rates. Secondly, you could ask the landlord for references, and you could contact the people who the landlord uses as references. To protect yourself, you could also send someone you know to view the apartment, if you know anyone in the area. Another good option is to ask for a short-term lease so that you have a way out of the unit if it is not what you expected it to be.

When renting a unit without viewing it, you should take extra precautions just to stay safe in the deal. If you have questions or need help with a rental property, contact a property management firm of your choice.