07/06/2021
Recently I met a lot people looking to rent. Being a renter myself, I would like to offer some advice.
Most renter I met/encountered are not familiar with the places they looking to rent. They are either from other states or places. Most have vague ideas of where they are looking. After all, some don't even bother to check the area themselves, and judging just by the look or the name of the places.
I am here to point out some advices. The most common mistake is the traffic flow of the places. Yes, some places are good places, near major highway, or in city center. But, most renters have no idea how to get into the place. Some notorious place have long u-turn that required you to get through everyday just to go home. Some are located in grid-lock roads that you have no way to run away and you will stuck in traffic lights. Some are prone to traffic jam that cost you half an hour just to leave home.
Study the location traffic flow before you rent the places. If possible, make sure you visited it or have a map.
Another common mistake is to search for the wrong area. Despite common name like Sri Petaling and Petaling Jaya, or Damansara Heights and Kota Damansara, both are located quite far away. Ampang and Jalan Ampang are always mistaken as the same places. These similar names have the wrong impression that they are nearby. Make sure you know where to rent before searching for it.
The wrong concept of distance doesn't end there. Some prefer far away places despite working somewhere else. They searched all the map and decided on the cheapest option available. Yet, when factored in the tolls and fuels cost, plus the transit time, it is not a good way to save cost. Speaking of tolls, KL is really filled with tolls. Someone once asked my opinion on renting a place. I advised him to rent somewhere nearer to his office, yet he insist to rent somewhere else. On checking the google map, I found all routes are filled with tolls, primarily because he is renting from a far away place that required him to go through the tolled roads.
The thinking staying near LRT, MRT, KTM transit is another myth. Some thought it is a good idea to stay near it no matter which stations it is. They thought it is sufficient to transit everyday. Being a local myself and having commute everyday from one end to another, I found it troublesome and not worthy to explore. Back in those days, I spend two hours in LRT just to go work. It doesn't make sense. The optimum radius for LRT should be 30 minutes or 7-8 stations. More than this radius, you are wasting much time and effort. If you stay near Sungai Buloh MRT, don't expect to Bukit Bintang MRT everyday for work, it just take too long time, unless you don't mind spending everyday 2 hour to work.
I have my fair share of mistake when I rented a place. My advise is to rent the place near to your working area. That is first priority. Then the surrounding environment and facility. Finally then the price. The price can always negotiate or find another landlord. But once you signed the tenancy and moved in, only you saw the location is not suitable, you will have headaches, like I did.
