what to look for when renting a home?

Answer 1

Location, and whether the home is well maintained.
If you are paying the utilities, go into the attic and check for at least 12" of insulation. Ask whether there is insulation in the walls. If there is inadequate insulation, ask for the owner to add insulation or a co-payment on the utilities. Remind the owner that if they add insulation, they can get a tax break.(Older homes in particular were built with little insulation. Without adequate insulation, the utilities could be as much as the rent.) Ask to see several months' utilities mid-summer and mid-winter to confirm how much energy the house uses.
Make sure all the appliances are working. (Buy a small oven thermometer at a kitchen shop--under $10, set it in the oven when you first go in and turn the oven to 350 degrees. You can check the temperature on the way out to see whether the oven is calibrated properly. Don't forget to take an oven mitt, so you can retrieve the thermometer.)
Turn on the hot water at each faucet and see how long it takes to get hot. If several people will be living with you, check to see the size of the water heater. If everybody has to get out the door at the same time in the morning and there is a 30 gallon tank, some of you will have to shower in the evenings and some in the mornings. Make sure all the faucets inside and outside, do not drip and flush all the toilets.
Check and see if the windows open and can be locked or secured when closed.
Check all the exterior door locks and ask for them to be re-keyed so you won't have to worry about a former tenant having access.
If there is a yard with a fence, check to see that it is stable and that the gates and latches work.
If there are exterior lights make sure they all work.
Open and close drawers in places that will get frequent use to be sure they operate smoothly.
Walk around the neighborhood, at least a house or two in each direction to see if they are well maintained and for any evidence of something that might become a nuisance--barking dogs, teens who party, nearby railroad, planes, or a freeway with car traffic.
If possible, talk to a neighbor or two to get a feel for the neighborhood.
Ask who will be respondsible for lawn care and watering.
Ask who will be respondsible for breakdowns in the house, say the dishwasher stops working or the heater goes on the fritz.

Answer 2

Rent-To-Own Homes - http://RentToOwnHome.uzaev.com/?QdnH

Answer 3

You need to make sure the neighborhood, and neighbors are what you are looking for. You need to look at the proximity of grocery stores, and shops you might frequent. It is important to look at the condition of the home in general like the plumbing, carpet, paint, and kitchen. If you have children you also want to look at the quality of the schools, and if you can find parks or recreational centers. Safety is also key. Best of luck.