I like checklists. I am not a fan of reading long texts and as a person with constant having in mind “I have to…” the pile never gets smaller. Quick and efficient.
Renting an apartment
I moved a lot. Although these were one of the most stressful moments for me, I learned a lot. At least something, that helps me making decisions with a bit of more confidence.
Before moving somewhere - think about what means most to you. Being close to nature, to the city center or somewhere in between. Think what you are really annoyed by and what makes you smile. Remember - you are not stuck, so even after not such a perfect selection, pack your boxes and repeat the drill. It is not easy but it is solvable.
Compromises are needed. All the time. Different countries, different standards and extremes e.g. not drinking water from the tap or rules where hanging clothes on the balcony is forbidden.
| Section | Consider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | ||
| Surroundings of the building | What is close/far: shops, Office, Forest, highway, school, public transit, noise of Church bells noise from night life - bars,… | |
| Orientation of the apartment | Is it going to be hot, cold,or sunny all day long | |
| Floor | How high/low do you want to be, are there neighbors above you, below you… | |
| Noise | There is tram next to building - vibrations will be felt Construction work close by Sound insulation | |
| Location | Hobbies during year | |
| Building | ||
| Year of construction | Idea about materials that were used | |
| Any planned construction work | In older builds sometimes roof changes or adding isolation are planned | |
| Energy efficiency | How well is isolated, this will save some costs for heating and in summer might not be that hot | |
| Elevator | Carrying heavy stuff on the stairsusing elevator | |
| Parking space | Where is possible to park, covered/uncovered | |
| Basement | Do you have any additional place to storage things, is it safe | |
| Number of apartments | Is a huge building,smaller community,… | |
| Pets | Are allowed, do you need to register them | |
| Cycling room | Storing your bike is it safe | |
| Entrance | Locked/unlocked | |
| Apartment - general | Tloris - functionality | Does it fits your need. Check that tloris matches the tloris in advertisement |
| Furnitured/unfurnitured | Clearly define what stays and what still needs to be bought | |
| Windows | Insulation Opening, closing Shading | |
| Entrance door | Anti burglary | |
| Heating source | gas,electricity - what are expenses | |
| Floor heating | Am I going to feel cold in feetare the radiators very old and inefficient | |
| Flooring | Tiles Parquet Laminat Rugs | |
| Costs | Electricity Water Warm water-water heater or central Heating Internet TV Common expenses Are there seperate meters for all the consumption per apartment or is there lump sum | |
| Internet | Is there any provider already selected, coverage if you are working remotely | |
| AC/Fan | How hot will it be during summer, possibilities of installation | |
| Shades | Inside Outside | |
| Brightness | Is it bright enough to get some natural light | |
| Ventilation | Are windows everywhere e.g. bathroom, toilet can it be airenated | |
| Balcony | Is it useful, to dry clothes, having garden | |
| Humidity and mold | Check if there were any issues or signs of mold | |
| Mosquito net | In some areas you will not be able to live without it | |
| Appliances | Washing machine Dryer Dishwasher Oven Microwave Refrigerator Freezer | |
| Socket | Where are eclectic sockets Useful positions for lights, laptops,… | |
| Smoke detector | ||
| Kitchen | ||
| Layout | Refrigerator positioned next to oven or sink Is it useful? | |
| Working surface | Enough to make your favorite dishes | |
| Cupboards | Open all of them-are they useful,too deep no pull out options | |
| Drawers | Enough of them Closing slowly | |
| Shelves | Enough shelves for your items Possibility to add new | |
| Garbage | Any place to put bin | |
| Kitchen hood | Is it working Cleaned filter | |
| Dishwasher | Is it working Energy efficiency Noise Size | |
| Refrigerator and frezer | Size Position high, low,.. Are shelves not broken | |
| Sink | Big enough Signs of leaking below Open water tap and see the pressure Smoothnes of opening the tap | |
| Cooking plate | Electrical Gas induction 4 or 2 plates | |
| Living/Dining room | ||
| Enough place for furniture | Couch Office table Books TV Piano Dining table with n of chairs Rug Relaxing sofa Table | |
| Balcony | ||
| General | Size Grill Gardening Fence Pigeons Cover, uncovered | |
| Orientation | South- not useful in summer Shade Innerside To street | |
| Toilet | ||
| General | Seperate from bathrrom Sink Place for storage Windows Ventilation Heating body | |
| Bathroom | ||
| General | Seperate from toilet Place for storage Doors side opening Hanging for towels Place for washer and dryer How high are tiles | |
| Bathtub | Shower curtain Shelves to put cosmetics Water pressure | |
| Walk in shower | Shower curtain Shelves to put cosmetics Water pressure | |
| Bedroom | ||
| Warderobe | Enough space for N people Any signs of mold | |
| Orientation | Bright enough Too hot for sleeping | |
| Size | Big bed Bunk bed-high cieling Two night shelves | |
| Hallway | ||
| Hanging | Any hoos for jackets and coats Umbrella Backpack Shopping bags | |
| Shoes storage | Places to hide shoes Slippers Wet drying | |
| Pocket stuff | Key storage Chewing gum Sunglasses | |
| Costs/Legal things/Additional | ||
| Rent | Paying in advance Penalty for delay Rent without costs | |
| Pets | Are allowed Conditions, terms and regulations | |
| Bills | Take a look of expenses Clearly define additional costs | |
| Provision | Agent takes provision How much Who is paying it | |
| Viewing | During daylight Take photos of everything broken- share with the owne | |
| Deposits | For apartment how high For garage | |
| Tax | Costs for contract taxes | |
| Binding offer | If possible do not sign it before seeing the whole contract - avoid it | |
| Contract | Read - 3x times Repairments Insurance of the apartment | |
| How long is the lease | Minimum of stay Max of stay | |
| Chanes that rent gets higher | ||
| Report the meter readings once signing the contract | Avoid paying someoneelses expenses - be careful at the end of the year if monthly payments are not per usage every month | |
| Apartment history | Why did people move How long has been empty | |
Buying a car
I never owned a new car, but tried to buy used ones. Car is something that I need(ed) to bring me from A to B as safe as possible. What I was always focusing when buying a car was:
- reliability
- low maintenance costs
- safety
- practicality e.g. I can drive offroad
| Section | Consider | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test drive | ||
| Go for a ride | Drive over bump Drive in the hole Make wild turns and listen | |
| History | ||
| Get information | Number of owners Regular services Last service Next service Milage Consumption Older/younger owners Smoker Kids | |
| Issus with eelctricity | Check for any repairment in electronics (expensive, repeating) | |
| Tires | When changed Current status Getting winter and summer With feltna or without | |
| Car crash | Check the hood Lights Any asymmetry implies it was involved in accident | |
| Battery | Whe was it changed Check the engine | |
| Timing belt | When was it replaced | |
| Chain | ||
| Rust | Under vehicle Edges of the door | |
| Reason for selling | ||
| Automatic | Oil change for the gearbox | |
| Manula | ||
| Seller | ||
| Coworker | If moving abroad due to wkri reasons ask inside company | |
| Friend | Someone you trust -win win situation | |
| Dealer | Negotiate price Take mechanich with you Price will be high Ask for warranty - all parts Waranty only for parts Warranty for everything | |
| Private | Negotiate price Take mechanich with you | |
| Additions | ||
| AC | ||
| Electronics | Press everything Adjusting seats Heating Cooling | |
| Air Bags | ||
| Hachback | Size | |
| Hook | ||
| Rugs | Rubber Textile | |
| Seat covers | ||
| Costs | ||
| Road tax | ||
| Registration | ||
| Vignette | ||
| Consumption | ||
| Insurance | ||
| Compare prices on the market | ||
| Spare parts |