Real Estate Roundtable: Perfect Hamptons Summer Rentals

How close is it to the beach? Can I move in before Memorial Day weekend? Is there a bedroom for the nanny? If you’re looking for that perfect summer rental in the Hamptons, you naturally have a number of questions in mind. In your quest to land the property that suits all your needs, however, you just might overlook something essential you need to know, whether it’s about who’ll be taking care of the lawn, where’s the nearest four-star restaurant or when you can start to party. With summer rentals all the rage right now, this week our roundtable of local experts answer the query…

What are some key factors that prospective renters should be considering as they look for summer property on the East End?

“When you find the home you desire, you should inquire about the following items: What are the anticipated bills for the summer rental, i.e. grass cutting, pool maintenance etc.; if there is a show clause, make sure you receive at least 24 hours notice of the appointment and not before 12 noon; a phone list of providers and maintenance people; any construction that will be going on nearby; and owners’ cell numbers to call when there is a problem. It is a home, there is always a problem.”—Alan Schnurman, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, Saunders & Associates

“Does it have enough room for you for sleeping/entertaining? How much time will you spend in the home? If you and guests come out and stay at poolside and eat at home every night, then the home is probably more important than the location. Explain your usage and wants to your realtor as in depth as possible—forgetting to mention a nanny or that grandma can’t do stairs or that you have four Irish Wolfhounds will make it a longer process.”—Maz Crotty, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Nest Seekers International

“The advice I would give to prospective renters is to look and find what you like earlier rather than later. A lot of renters think they can get a good deal if they wait until the last minute. What happens is, they might get a good deal on something that comes close to what they really wanted but not quite. What would have been perfect for their needs is already rented because they waited.”—John Christopher, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC

“Tenants who live in big high-risers in NYC are often shocked to learn that their summer rental does not have a superintendent on stand-by to fix their every complaint about the property (i.e. the toilet running). So, if you aren’t a do-it-yourselfer, be sure to either only rent in a condo/co-op that has a superintendent and services, or be sure to include in the lease that the landlord is responsible to make repairs, defining what repairs are covered and how fast that they must be made.

If you plan on having friends over, or even parties, you may want to check the local Town/Village Code for noise ordinances (time when you can have music on outside) and rules for on-street parking.

Yet the most important thing for a tenant when selecting property is to understand the House Rules under the lease—don’t just presume that something should happen. The lease either requires it or it doesn’t. So, it is very important for the tenant to read the lease and understand its every requirement on both the tenant and the landlord, as a summer rental should not end in a lawsuit, but instead in a renewal for the next season.”—Andrew Lieb, Esq. MPH, Lieb at Law, P.C.