Being a homeowner is a long-term goal for many. Renting a home is often perceived as a temporary solution and people consider owning a house as their primary aim. Both buying and renting have their financial advantages, but renting does appear to retain an edge. Like the stock market, real estate also creates cyclical bubbles, and if the housing market is overpriced, it is beneficial to stay on rent.
1)Low maintenance costs
A definite advantage renters have over homeowners is that they usually do not need to pay any maintenance costs or repair bills. If there is a malfunction or a breakdown in the rented house, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to get it fixed. Whereas, if you purchase a property, apart from repaying the home loan, you are also responsible for various other expenses such as the upkeep and maintenance, payment of society bills, property tax and renovation costs. However, the tenants must make sure that the same is mentioned in their lease contract to avoid any conflicts later.
2) Access to Amenities
Another financial benefit of renting is having access to amenities that would otherwise be an enormous expense. Luxuries such as an in-ground pool or a fitness center come standard at many midscale to upscale apartment complexes with no additional charge to tenants.
If a homeowner wanted to have access to these amenities, they would likely have to spend thousands of dollars for installation and maintenance. Condo owners aren’t exempt from these costs either. These expenses are rolled into their homeowners association (HOA) fees, which are due on a monthly basis.
3)High mobility
Renting a property allows more flexibility than owning a house. This is ideal for people who can face sudden changes such as job relocation. Renting requires no long-term commitment from a tenant, and is the best option if you do not have the intent to stay in one place for a long time. It is always easy to vacate a rented house by giving a one-month notice.
4) No Real Estate Taxes
One of the major benefits of renting versus owning is that renters don’t have to pay property taxes. Real estate taxes can be a hefty burden for homeowners and vary by county. In some areas, the costs associated with property taxes can amount to thousands of dollars each year.
Although property tax calculations can be complex, they are determined based on the estimated property value of the house and the amount of land on which it’s built.3 With new constructions getting larger and larger, property taxes can be a significant financial burden to homeowners.
5) More Flexibility As to Where to Live
Renters can live practically anywhere, while homeowners are restricted to areas where they can afford to buy. Living in an expensive city such as New York may be out of reach for most home buyers, but it is entirely possible for renters. Although rents can be high in areas where home values are also high, renters are more apt to find an affordable monthly payment than home buyers.
6)Income tax benefit
If you are staying on rent, you can claim a house rent allowance (HRA). The HRA is 40 percent of the basic salary in tier-II and tier-III cities, and 50 percent of the basic pay in metro cities. In a self-occupied property without a home loan, you will not get any tax, and thus the tax outflow will be high. Besides this, interest on home loan also adds to income tax benefits.
7) Flexibility to Downsize
Renters have the option to downsize to more affordable living spaces at the end of their lease. This kind of flexibility is especially important for retirees who want a less costly, smaller alternative that matches their budget.
It’s much more difficult to break free of an expensive house because of the fees involved with buying and selling a home. Also, if a homeowner has invested a significant amount of money in renovations, the selling price might not cover these costs, leaving them unable to afford to sell and move.
8)Fixed rent amount
Rent amounts are fixed, at least for the tenure of the rent agreement. While property owners can raise the rent with a prior notice after 11 months, the tenant can budget, as they know the amount of rent they are required to pay. Simultaneously, loans and the property tax can also fluctuate, landing you in a profitable position. After spending the fixed rent, a tenant may enjoy the additional money, which they can invest elsewhere.
RE/MAX India, shares, “Due to rapid globalisation and random changes in job locations, people find it convenient to rent an accommodation rather than buying one. Nowadays renting serves both the financial and social purpose of citizens.”
9) Lower Insurance Costs
While homeowners need to maintain a homeowners insurance policy, the equivalent for renters is a renter’s insurance policy. This kind of policy is much cheaper and covers nearly everything owned, including furniture, computers, and valuables. The average cost of renter’s insurance is $179 per year, while the average insurance policy for a homeowner costs $1,249 per year, according to a study by the Insurance Information Institute.13
10)Flexibility to downsize
By opting for renting, people carry the option to downgrade into an affordable living space if they are finding the current costs too high. Such an event can only take place at the end of their lease. If you are a homeowner, it is much more difficult to break free of an expensive house because of the expenses involved with buying and selling a home.
As you can see, there are multiple benefits of taking a place on rent. By renting a place, you will be able to have a flexible approach in life and may also share costs by taking roommates if you feel that you cannot financially handle a rented unit by yourself. Nevertheless, this is a subjective decision and you should take enough time to speak with family members and property brokers before reaching a decision in this regard.