Compare rental properties quickly and smartly: This is how you make the decision

In the current housing market, you often have little time to decide. If you're lucky enough to choose from multiple options, or if you're trying to make a shortlist of properties to view, a quick comparison is essential. After all, the basic rent does not say everything about the actual costs or your ultimate enjoyment of living.

To avoid comparing apples to pears, it is smart to use a fixed system. This way, you can see at a glance which home at the bottom of the line is the best deal and where you will be most comfortable living in the long term.

Look beyond the bare rent: The “Total cost of living”

The biggest mistake that home seekers make is only looking at the rental price that appears at the top of the ad. To make a fair comparison, you need to calculate the total monthly expenses.

The hidden costs

For each option, make a simple overview with the following points:

• Service costs: What's in it? If one home includes water and internet and the other does not, that can mean a difference of up to 100 euros per month.
• Energy label: A house with label A saves you a considerable amount of money each month compared to a house with label E. For a poorly insulated house, you can count on an additional 100 to 150 euros in energy costs.
• Municipal taxes: In one municipality, the waste tax and sewer charges are much higher than in the other.

Use the 10-minute comparison table

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If you want to filter quickly, a points system works best. Give each home a score of 1 to 5 on the following criteria:

Criteria                                                                                                                                                                              House A                House B

Location & Travel Time: How much time/money do you spend commuting to work?

Outdoor space: Is there a usable balcony or garden?

Condition of maintenance: How modern are the kitchen and bathroom?

Amenities: Supermarket, gym or public transport in the area?

Flexibility: What is the minimum rental period and notice period?‍

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By adding these scores, you can immediately see which home scores the strongest on paper. You often see that a home that is 50 euros more expensive to rent scores much better in terms of location and energy efficiency, making it ultimately the better choice.

The environmental tests: Do a “digital check”

You don't have to physically go to the neighborhood for every comparison. In fifteen minutes, you can collect a lot of information that isn't in the ad.

• Google street view: Walk down the street virtually. Do the neighbors' gardens look well-kept? Is there a lot of graffiti or litter? Are there a lot of cars parked on the sidewalk?
• Google maps route planner: Check travel time on a Monday morning at 8:00am, not on a Sunday afternoon. This provides an honest picture of your daily traffic jams or train journeys.
• Social card: See if there are bars, schools or construction sites in the immediate vicinity that can cause noise pollution.

Note the 'perks' and restrictions

Sometimes the profit lies in the little things you forget at first glance.

• Parking: Do you have to pay 50 euro per month for a permit or is parking free?
• Storage: Is there a storage room for your bike or luggage? Renting external storage space can easily cost you 40 euros per month.
• White goods: Does the house have a washing machine and dishwasher, or do you still have to purchase and install them yourself?

Create your own decision tree

If you're still unsure after comparing, ask yourself the “deal breaker question”: If I wake up tomorrow and House A is rented out to someone else, am I relieved or am I really bummed? Your intuition often says more than a table of numbers. A home can be perfect on paper, but if you don't feel at home, it's not a good option. Use the numbers to lay out the facts, but let your gut have the last vote.