Moving into a new flat

July 2015

Average Temperature: 44 Degrees Celsius

Average Rainfall: Nil

So I had to find a new accommodation by the end of this month. This was my first time ever to look for a new apartment in Lucknow, so I searched in google search:- How to find house/flat in Lucknow. To my surprise, there wasn't one single blog or forum where I would find some help. I thought google knew everything.

If you ever had to look for an apartment or house for rent in Lucknow or North India. Try to avoid summer months. It is so hot and exhausting. Looking for a shelter in such extreme heat is very uncomfortable.

 

There are four seasons in India, 1. Summer, 2. Winter, 3. Monsoon and finally wedding season. Wedding season is usually during winter season, between months of November and March.  However, during the wedding season, residential rent shoots up. I had no choice but to look for a apartment during July.

Few things I have learnt while flat hunting in Lucknow.

1. Landlord mostly deals with Brokers

2. Get feedback from your friends about any potential brokers

3. Make your needs clearly known to the broker and be very specific about it

4. Be patient - Brokers are always late ...lol

5. Negotiate Broker fee before doing business [usually they take a months rent]

6. Be in control, don't get bullied into looking at other places that doesn't meet your needs

7. Don't get too friendly, brokers can milk money out of foreigners

8. Always share your expected budget with the broker

9. Always show and act that you have nothing to lose, don't appear desperate

10. Always check the house is in working condition before moving it

Along the way I made few mistakes. I should have checked the house properly before moving it. When I moved in, I discovered I need to:

 1.Drill through two cement boards and make holes for my gas pipe

2. Fix the water pipe in toilet which is leaking

3. Fix the ceiling fan which is wobbling

4. Reconfigure the light and fan switches...
5. Paint few walls and patch some dirt with paint
6. Cupboard door is no properly fixed to the cupboard
7. Repair the kitchen sink to stop water leak

8. Two bathroom floor is not levelled in a way so water can escape through the drainage

And this is a brand new flat!

I am always learning new things. I guess back home in Fiji and New Zealand, life is so easy and simple that our character and attitude doesn't change much, but in India there are many challengers that shape and develops our character and attitude.

I have learnt to be:

1. Patient.

2. Accepting

3. Humble

4. Wise

5. Preserver

 

Despite of the difficulty and setback, I am happy that I have found a place to leave.

 

Cheers

 

Ravi