Great rentals don’t always come easily. Keeping track of the maintenance, checking in on your property, and ensuring your home is well-kept can be a full-time job for some homeowners. While there are already many things to consider when renting an apartment, renting in a foreign country can be even more of a hassle. However, if you approach it with the right mindset and a few tips for success, you can have a great experience regardless of where you decide to call home. Here are five tips to ensure a great rental experience when renting in a foreign country.

Communicate Before You Move In

Communication is crucial when renting in a new country. No matter your relationship with your landlord, ensuring you’re in touch with them while you’re there and before you move in is necessary. That doesn’t just mean checking the mailbox every few days to ensure there aren’t any messages; it means genuinely being in touch with your landlord. If you have any maintenance requests, let your landlord know beforehand so they can address them while you’re there. If you have any questions about your rental experience, ask your landlord beforehand so you aren’t stumped when you’re there.  

Consider A Mobility Lease

If you’re renting in a foreign country, you may want to consider signing a Mobility Lease. A mobility lease, a temporary lease, which is usually a month-to-month lease but can last up to ten months, is a great way to rent and move between places. A mobility lease allows you to move to a new city or country if you want to since it doesn’t last long.  This also means that if you’re unhappy about your living situation, you are free after a certain number of days or months to look for somewhere else to live or move back home. 

Mobility leases have become more popular over the last few years, and this is likely because they allow renters to switch between different cities and countries easily. Whether you want to travel or just find a new place to live while renting, a mobility lease is a great option.

Inspect Before You Sign

You should always inspect a property before signing a lease, regardless of where you are moving from. However, you should be especially careful when renting in a foreign country. While there are guidelines that govern every aspect of renting a property in a foreign country, there are also a lot of red flags that are easy to miss. If you find any issues, don’t hesitate to bring them to the landlord's attention before you sign a lease. If you find any significant violations before you sign a lease, don’t feel obligated to sign over a six-month lease. It may be best for you to look for another place to rent.

Take Advantage Of Relocation Packages

One last tip for renting in a foreign country is to take advantage of relocation packages. Most major cities offer relocation or moving packages, and they usually come with a few perks like free or discounted rent, free or discounted furniture, and more. Relocation packages are a great way to get a head start on finding your next place to live. Most relocation packages also include a list of landlords who work with the package provider. This means you can just send the list to a potential landlord and be on your way to renting in a foreign country. 

Conclusion

These are just a few tips to help you navigate rental obligations in a foreign country. While renting in a foreign country can have challenges, it can also be a lot of fun. If you approach it with the right mindset and a few tips for success, you can have a great experience regardless of where you decide to call home.