Tips To Rent Apartments In Mumbai

Several expats are planning to come to Indian cities for making the most of the new opportunities that are coming up here. A lot of them are coming back to start up their own firm in their home towns or cities. If you are one of them and want to come to Mumbai then there are several important aspects to bear in mind when going for apartment hunting. Getting rental accommodation should be your first step irrespective of whether you will be here for a couple of years only or want to settle down.

Finding the right flats for rent in Mumbai in the preferred neighborhood and locality and for the optimum price is quite a daunting task for expats in Mumbai to say the least.

Combating problems

Mumbai may look great in photos, but expats receive a shock when they get stuck in the slow mo traffic and slums. Despite being a part of the city, the long absence from it often makes expats perceive their home town in a different way.  Apart from the way the city looks, expats often have to battle problems of amenities-versus-rental equation. Real estate in Mumbai is quite expensive- the rental values that were there a couple of years ago have changed now. It becomes difficult to explain to them that the value per square foot has increased which is why rental rates have gone up. Also, the lifestyle that they enjoy in these apartments cannot be compared with that of developed countries. You can look at rental flats in plush housing communities which have swimming pools and gymnasium but the amenities would still be unparalleled to the ones available abroad.

Some of the factors that you should keep in mind while renting an apartment

1. Travelling time to work and your children’s school.
2. Availability of social amenities such as super markets, shopping malls, grocery shops and medical facilities. Most neighborhoods in Mumbai are self-sufficient in this respect hence travel time becomes more of a priority. At least one of the spouses will have to settle for a longer drive to and from work. 
3. One should visit during day time for checking the flaws in the house. You should also go to the apartment you are considering to rent at night as it will give you a good idea about the lighting facilities available after dark. 
4. Normally rental properties in Mumbai receive plenty of water. However, there could be a couple of restrictions in water supply, depending on the society you stay at. Therefore, you should talk to a couple of tenants or residents of the community to find out more about them prior to signing rental agreements. 
5. All repairs of the apartment must be done prior to the payment of advance. Also, if something has not been fixed then it would be best to put it in the agreement when drawing it up. 
6. Advance deposits against property for rent in Mumbai is a must. The amount is returned by the owner once the rental period is over and you are moving elsewhere. This is a standard clause in rental agreements.

This is a guest post by Poonam Mishra