Hi there,
Welcome to the first quarter of the year. This is the time we usually think about renewing our rent, moving to a new building, or even moving to a new city. It is almost natural to rush into paying for the first available property that falls into your price range. However, we believe that the price you pay for your building should be justifiable. This month, we’re highlighting some of the things to consider before paying to renew your lease or buying a new property.
1. The Location of the House
You want a location that gives you easy access to the places you visit frequently (work, school, supermarket, place of worship, park, mall etc). This saves you time, reduces the chances of running into traffic, and the overall hassle of long commutes. Having to get up 2 hours earlier to make it to work in time is going to make you grumpy, less productive, and more stressed.
2. Proximity to Emergency Services
This is similar to the first one, but with an emphasis on emergency services like hospitals and police stations. Safety is a big part of any community, especially residential ones. Living in areas with proximity to emergency services wards off robberies and break-ins, protects you from fires, and significantly reduces your risks and liabilities. The Emergency Button feature on the GatePass app improves your community’s safety. With just one push of the button, you can send a panic alert about crime, health, power, fire, etc. to the relevant people for help.
3. The House
It is a good idea to think about the size of the lot the house sits on. As you visit different properties, keep your preference in mind — large or small, bright or cool, wide or cozy. You should also consider the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen layout. If it is a fully furnished apartment, take note of the condition of the home appliances.
It’s wise to request a tour of the available apartments before making your choice. Virtual Reality options make your house-hunting experience easier.
4. The Neighbourhood
While rentals are not permanent, the neighbourhood you choose to stay in will affect the quality of life you have during the time that you are there. You don’t want to get stuck in a bad part of town. Do your due diligence on the crime rate, and ask vital questions. What is the road like? How does it get when it rains? Is there a curfew? Who can come into the estate? With GatePass’ Guest Pass feature, you can monitor and authorize the people who come into your neighbourhood.
Use Neighbourhood Review to see the living conditions and standards of the neighbourhood you have in mind.
5. The Facility Management
A lot of communities in Nigeria have a centralized management committee. Properties like apartment buildings have facility managers. They are responsible for the maintenance and services of the communities. This means they are in charge of making sure all the needs of the residents are met, from electricity to security. Having functional facility management means that your complaints are treated as a priority and resolved before they become bigger problems.
As a facility manager, using a management system like GatePass ensures speed, ease, seamlessness, and efficiency in your community management. With GatePass’ Complaints feature, it is easier for your residents to raise concerns and make service requests. They can also monitor the progress of the resolution, review the work that has been done, and mark it as approved if satisfied.
Curious about how to get GatePass in your community? Send an email to hello@gatepass.io or schedule a demo here to learn more. We’re excited to have you on board.
