Starting a new chapter in a new city is naturally challenging and at most times overwhelming. A lot of students, fresh graduates, families from other provinces in Cebu or other parts of the country flock to Cebu City with hopes for a better life. For a lot of us, rentals are our first options because real estate prices are quite unrealistically high nowadays.
If you're looking to move to the city and you're looking for a long-term rental, here are a few tips you might want to know.
Where to look for reliable listings
If you have the chance to visit the city prior to moving, it would be much better because you'll be able to have a look at the neighborhood you want and see if there are rentals in the area. If not, then looking online is the next best thing.
The easiest place to find rental listings will be on Facebook Marketplace. The landlords or brokers reply so much faster on Facebook than any other listing places on the internet.
The next best place to look for rentals is Rentpad. It is best for people who are looking for apartments, condos and houses. The downside to this is that a lot of listing owners are contacted via email and they take a really long time to respond to queries.
What to ask for
Other than what you are personally look for in a rental, it is best to ask for other important things such as the community and accessibility to transport. Most times, cheaper rentals mean that you have to take an extra mile to get there. Know that Cebu has a lot of elevated areas and a lot of cab drivers won't be able to take you very far.
If you are renting a condo unit, it is worth asking if there is water delivery within the building, how far the nearest laundry area is and/or how close it is to grocery and restaurants.
For those looking up listings and enquiring just online, ask for as many photos and videos as possible. Also ask for photos of the immediate vicinity of the rental and see if that's a community you're willing to live on for the long term.
How to check for legitimacy
The best way to spot a scam listing is to be visit the rental at least once before you move in. However, if you are not able to do that, there's still a number of ways to make sure your rental is legitimate.
Landlords will require for deposits and advance prior to moving in. You might want to ask if the landlord is willing to take one month as a reservation and you will pay the remaining upon move in. If this is not possible, ask for proof of ownership of the property and identification. This is not too much to ask really especially if your landlord understands that this is only for your security. If you're renting a condo, you can take it a step further and try to contact the admin office to verify ownership.
Do not forget to ask for acknowledgement receipts for your payments. Other rentals will have lease contracts so don't forget this as well.
Looking for the best rentals is no easy and looking for them solely online won't make things easier. Make sure your steps are carefully planned and you are provided with all the information you'll need to make your decision.
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