The Ultimate Apartment Search Checklist

The Ultimate Apartment Search Checklist Via (Wikimedia Commons) Rent Be sure to ask these questions about dates and amounts, among other important issues relating to your rent bill. Things to look out for: *Are the offered rates compatible with that of other complexes and buildings in the area? *What, other than the rent, is included in the monthly bill (i.e., trash fees)? *Are there other one-time application fees? Application fees and parking permit charges are usually charged at the time of leasing agreement, but you should know in advance. Add them all up and compare to other places; the little details make the biggest difference. Questions to ask: 1) Can the monthly rate be pro-rated by scale size? 2) When does rent have to paid? Many leases require you to pay at the beginning of the month, but you may be able to come to better arrangements with your lease manager if you have issues with that. 3) How do I pay? Some leasing managers have you sign into online systems while others ask for money orders or checks. 4) Is the security deposit refundable? Apartment Fees Sometimes, your rental rate includes additional fees that will either benefit or hurt your outlook on the apartment. Things to look out for: *What does parking availability look like? *The distance from the parking lot to the front door: Safety is an issue if your city has some scary crime rate or you’re used to getting home late. You might want to be within a few minute’s distance just to be sure. *Check on renovation charges. Some apartments may be offered that are more expensive because of new kitchen appliances and flooring upgrades. If you don’t feel the need to spend more money, you’ll survive in an older apartment just fine. *Renewal benefits: For some properties, leases, if renewed, can help you keep the rent at the same rate, while other complexes decide to charge returning tenants a more expensive price than new tenants would pay. Questions to ask: 1) What is the estimated amount for utilities? Not all people leave their lights on or the water running so this number changes per apartment. It’s still a good number to keep in mind. 2) Do you need a parking permit? If you can park in visitor spots near your apartment, don’t waste money. 3) If you do need a permit, how much does it cost? 4) Is visitor parking close to your apartment? Most visitor spaces are designated outside or by the fences, and that could be inconvenient for you or visitors. 5) Can you sublease? Things happen. If for some reason you need to get out of your lease, see if management would be in charge of replacing you. If it’s up to you to find someone to replace you, ask your roommates if they have a friend that may be interested. If they don’t, ask for their permission to post it online. Safety One of the first things you should do is make sure the location is in a safe area or has security. Open complexes and buildings that don’t monitor entry may be cheaper, but taking extra precaution always helps if you’re planning to live alone. Things to look out for: *Timed code gates *Monitored parking garages *Security office on site *Locks on all doors Distance to Campus There must be research done before you decide to look for apartments. You don’t want to be too far from campus, or traffic and accidents may hold you back. Questions to ask: 1) How far are you to your school from your apartment? 2) Did you account for traffic? 3) Is there public transportation to and from school? It’s nice to have options. Public buses, taxis, and subways should be accessible to you and some stations offer student discounts. 4) Can you find transportation should anything happen to your car? You’re going to need a backup route to campus. Amenities Things to look out for: *A recreational area: Such an area can be a gym, volleyball courts, swimming/dipping pool, courtyard space, etc. *Laundry machines in apartment or on site *Communal lounges Questions to ask: 1) What are the recreational area operating hours? Pools and gyms may open and close at certain times. 2) What other benefits does the gym have? Some gyms may be open 24/7, and some apartment complexes even offer workout and yoga classes. 3) Do the laundry machines need to be fed coins? Some offices offer pre-paid cards that you can enter into the machines as payment. Pet Related Questions Via (Pixabay) 1) Are pets allowed? 2) If so, is there an additional fee and how much is it? This could either be a one-time fee, or there might be an extra $5-20 charge on your monthly rent bill. 3) Is the fee the same for both dogs and cats? Since cats are easier to take care of, the fee may be cheaper. Pre-Move In Be sure that maintenance is ensured, especially if you’re paying for it. Things to look out for: *There will be a deep cleaning of the apartment before any person moves in including: individual rooms, kitchen area, living area, bathrooms, closets, wall/painting mishaps, ceiling fans, windows, carpet/other flooring *The air conditioning and heating system is properly working *All appliances run well Use this as a reference when checking out a new place. If you have options, refer back to this and weigh the pros and cons of the different leases. Always know what you’re getting into, especially concerning legal and time-sensitive matters.