I didn't realize how very expensive rent was until I decided I was going to live on my own and started the whole house hunting thing. Actually, until we moved to our permanent house, we paid rent, which didn't come cheap, but put side-,by-side to what I now pay for my current space, it's little money.
Rent is expensive around here, and with every waking day, the price goes up. I feel like I'm quite lucky to live where I live considering that compared to the other houses around, it's quite fair, although the rent was increased by a hundred percent and some just before I moved in. I was even lucky to get this place witho9ut having to hire the service of a house agent cause then, the package would have been three times what it is now.
The compound just after mine used to pay 400k for a one-bedroom apartment. But only about two months ago, they received a memo stating that they'd have to renew their rent with 1.2 million. A two hundred percent increase. You know what's annoying? There's nothing that they or anyone else can do about it. This act is becoming the new normal. House owners keep complaining about how the cost of building materials have gone up when infant, they aren't erecting a new building nor making renovations to the house for which they put up an increase. Houses that are in terrible states and are far from looking well enough to blend in with modern standards. I don't know if there's a body that should be regulating these things cause it keeps escalating. As a tenant, you can't easily move. It's not cheap anywhere, and while you're complaining and moving out, someone else is in a hurry to pay. It's just crazy and especially worse in the students' area.
Certain things are important to me before I get a place. They are water, light, and accessibility. I'm fortunate to have all three; running water, fair enough light supply and accessibility to road and connecting, important areas, and this is due to living in the heart of town. It's also important to check for how houses/the area of living fares during rainy season that's why no tine that that is advised best for house hunting. Space is also very important to me. While I spend a lot of my time indoors, it's important to me that it's spacious enough for me to move around, do all I need to, and not feel boxed. Ventilation is necessary. I like an airy, spacious apartment. It keeps me sane.
Not high up on the list, but I look for a house wherein the house owner doesn't live in the same compound. In most cases, it's too much to handle. Mind you, there are house owners who have very funny rules. Some don't let certain gender and people of certain status. Some won't let you have visitors over. It doesn't just make sense to me.
So before getting a place, I just make my findings about necessities in the area, making sure to go with someone who's more knowledgeable about buildings and things to look out for in these cases. A second opinion is just as important to me.
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