Common misconceptions about renting a house in Miami

There are a lot of things to think about when you are deciding to relocate to Miami. For instance, you should be very thorough when looking for moving companies Miami. When moving to a new city, it is only natural to learn about the location as much as you can. However, it can happen that even after your research, you are still not sure if this is your permanent home. In which case you are probably going to rent. To make sure you are prepared, read on to find out some common misconceptions about renting a house in Miami.

Renting vs buying a home in Miami

Buying and renting a home in Miami all have their benefits and disadvantages. Especially if you are unsure if the new place is going to be just right for you. Renting is often thought of as a “second choice” to homeownership. However, there are quite a few benefits of renting a house. Some of them are:

  • Exploring the city. If you are new to the city, not tieing yourself to one neighborhood is a plus. You may end up not liking the neighborhood you first thought would be perfect for you.
  • Lesser living expenses. The average price for monthly utilities are significantly lower for renting a house in Miami
  • Maintenance is included. One thing renters do not need to worry about too much is maintenance. Most maintenance is often the landlord’s responsibility.
  • Access to amenities. With renting you could have access to amenities that otherwise you would have to pay extra.
Close-up of male hands handing over house keys to women's hands.
Renting a house in Miami may be a better choice if you are not sure which neighborhood is perfect for you.

Even though renting has its perks, it is important to be real and well informed when making a decision like this. So, without further ado, let’s find out what are some of the misconceptions about renting a house in Miami.

Renting a house in Miami is wasting money

The first comment you can hear everywhere is that renting a house is throwing your money away. Well, you are paying for a roof over your head, so it really is not up for a measure. Purchasing a home is an enormous investment that requires a lot of resources that are not available for everyone. And you have to put a roof over your head. After all, it all comes to personal preference. If you value exploring and experiencing new places, home-owning could be more wasteful in the long run.

The ability to move around freely and have the flexibility for job changes regardless of the location is an added value for some. Moreover, house purchasing has its own risks, and those risks are far greater than with renting a house in Miami.  Besides, you can invest that money in traveling or something else. And if you worry about building credit, more banks and landlords will consider your rent statements a testament to your credit profile. Finally, if you are decided to move more freely through your life, make sure you know your movers midtown Miami.

A pair of hands holding a stack of money on a table.
Renting a house is not wasteful if you are investing your money in things that have more value to you.

Renting a house in Miami means not worrying about maintenance

One of the biggest benefits of renting a house in Miami is that you are not responsible for any maintenance and repair duties. When something breaks, just call your landlord. Or when not feeling like mowing your grass. However, one of the most common misconceptions is that your landlord has to take care of everything.

In reality, it all comes down to your lease agreement and the place where you live. For example, the landlord can be responsible for general maintenance and repairs, like plumbing fixes and appliances not working. But maintenance like grass mowing or gutter cleaning can be your responsibility. Moreover, if you caused the damage that has to be fixed, most likely you will have to take care of it.

Rental prices can’t be negotiated

Another common misconception is that rent prices and terms are set in stone. In other words, most renters think they have no leverage in the landlord-tenant negotiations. However, this isn’t true. It’s a two-way street with plenty of room for negotiating. When renting a house in Miami, the negotiation point mostly depends on the neighborhood you’re in and housing demand. However, never be afraid to negotiate some of the details. This can include the monthly rate, the duration of the agreement, specific details within the agreement, and even the security deposit amount. The worst that can happen is getting a no for an answer. Also, you can leverage your negotiation point by bringing a letter of recommendation from your previous landlords.

A man in a suit discussing something with his clients.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate rent price and agreement.

Everything in the lease is legal

Most people think that everything written in the rental lease is legal. When renting a house in Miami it is important to know your rights. The landlord can write anything into a lease agreement, but it does not mean that it is according to the law. For instance, prepaid rent is a good example. There have been cases where renters asked for as much as a whole year’s worth of rent in advance. Legally, the most the landlord can ask is two rents in advance, the first one and the last one. Therefore, if you paid anything more than that, go straight to Landlord and Tenant Board and ask for the return of anything paid extra. Before you start looking into moving quotes Miami, if you are not sure whether or not something in your lease agreement is legal, research it online or hire an attorney.

Finding a perfect rental house in Miami can be difficult. That is why it is important to do your research and know the facts. There are quite a few myths when it comes to renting, so make sure you are not in delusion because of someone else’s bad experience or different opinion. However, that doesn’t mean you should not be careful when renting a house in Miami. If anything appears off to you, or simply you are not sure about tenants’ rights, you can always look into a bunch of useful details and articles on a Tenants Clinic webpage.