Many 1-bedroom flats have a bathroom door off the living room. But some layouts only have an en-suite bathroom accessible through the bedroom, meaning guests must enter your bedroom. If you host often, look for a unit where the bathroom is accessible from the living area.
Know your landlord's emergency contact and preferred repair service providers. For urgent issues like water leaks or electrical problems, act quickly to prevent damage and notify your landlord immediately. Keep receipts for emergency repairs - some landlords reimburse reasonable emergency costs. Understand what constitutes an emergency versus routine maintenance that can wait.
Condos have by-laws residents must follow. Common rules cover noise (quiet hours), visitor sign-ins, proper garbage disposal, and use of shared facilities. Ask your landlord about any specific condo rules. Abiding by them will keep you out of trouble with management and neighbors.
Landed properties may require different maintenance approaches for multiple levels, outdoor areas, and potentially more complex systems. Understand your responsibilities versus the landlord's, know how to access different areas safely, and establish procedures for reporting issues. Consider whether you're comfortable with the maintenance demands of a larger property.
Rooms beside the living room, corridor, or kitchen feel busier. If the room's window faces a busy street or the corridor where neighbors walk by, you might also get more outside or hallway noise. Check door seals and window frames. Soft furnishings like rugs and thicker curtains can help reduce everyday noise transfer.
Ventilation and sunlight can make a small room feel more comfortable and livable. Natural light makes the space feel more open and pleasant, and it can even improve your mood. See if it has a window that opens to outdoors (and not just into a corridor or airwell). Good ventilation and light are key for your daily comfort in that space.
Go furnished for convenience and lower upfront setup, but inspect furniture condition and note wear expectations. Choose unfurnished for flexibility and hygiene control, factoring in delivery time, storage needs, and the effort to move items at lease end. It really depends on whether you have furniture and want to customize the space or prefer a move-in-ready setup.
Aim to return the home in similar condition, focusing on kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring. Degrease hoods, wipe seals, and clear drains. Replace spent bulbs and wash removable filters. Provide dated photos after cleaning to support a smooth deposit outcome.
