I don't want to get taken advantage of... How can I make sure I'm getting a place where the appliances work good? Is the top floor or bottom floor better? etc. Any pointers would be great. Thanks.
2006-06-11 12:45:26 · 9 answers · asked by Kelli M 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
If the landlord does not agree to give you time to inspect, then most likely there are some things that might not be working (such as the stove or laundry equipment). The bottom floor is better if you don't like climbing stairs or taking an elevator every time you come and go from the apartment. Careful and don't get taken!
2006-06-11 12:54:08 · answer #1 · answered by -:¦:-SKY-:¦:- 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Test the appliances when you do your walk through. Double check underneath sinks in both bath and kitchen looking for water stains or spaces where little beasties can sneak in.
The top floor is going to be warmer in both summer and winter. Summer from accumulated heat in the attic, winter from the heat from the apartments below filtering up. Be sure that most all of the windows open and close, as you can get a good cross ventilation most of the year. The disadvantage of an upper floor is that you have to lug all your stuff up and down the stairs, but you are young and could use the exercise.
2006-06-11 19:51:21 · answer #2 · answered by rb_cubed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hang out in the apt for a while, until you begin to notice its flaws.
Don't be impressed by the space; look at the walls and ceiling. Are they stained? Are there any decorative touches on the woodwork, or is as plain a box as you can get?
Go to the bathroom(s) and imagine showering and using the toilet and putting on makeup in the mirror. Is anything loose, water dripping, does the toilet run on after you flush it? Are the sink and/or toilet tiny? Do they move if you shove them?
How about the fridge and stove? Is there enough room in and on them? Are there enough cabinets and drawers to store your stuff?
Is there an odor? It will only get worse--they probably cleaned up real good.
Can you hear street noises? If you notice them in the daytime, night will be hell. Are the windows shaky? Let air in? Speaking of air, what is the air conditioning like? Check the fuse box or circuit breaker. Does it seem like people have been in there a lot, indicating bad wiring?
Is there a smoke detector? A working intercom or at least a doorbell? If there is an electrical outlet in the bathroom, does it have the red safety button? Little things like that mean good maintenance.
2006-06-11 19:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for sufficient outlets in the place and check if there is a circuit breaker or fuse box. A fuse box indicates older wiring and this may result in having problems when you run the microwave and other appliances at same time.
Run hot water, make sure it lasts as long as you take a shower.
If you are paying for heat, make sure it is not electric. Also check quality of windows and insulation.
Check for adequate parking. What about noise level, will your neighbors know your business and conversely will you know their's.
Upstairs apartments are generally safer and if there is no one living above you, you will not hear people walking around upstairs. On the other hand, everything you buy will have to be carried upstairs.
2006-06-11 19:53:09 · answer #4 · answered by starting over 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take some one with you. Try all of the appliances out, and inspect the place from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. If you love in a cold climate, an upper floor would give you better heating. If you like quiet, find a place for adults only. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Any discrepancies in even the window screens, get it all in writing.
2006-06-11 19:52:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question.
I recently moved into a new building that I thought would be terrific, which it is for a fact, but I now know that I am being ripped off paying too much for my rent. Seems that our fabulous government in it's glorious ways has created a nightmare for those of us who work or have worked for a living only to find out that there are two rental prices. One price for those who work and another for imported welfare bastards. I didn't find this out until after I moved in. The government is subsidizing rents where as a person on welfare gets most of their rent for free while the rest of us are at the mercy of paying outradgious rents to renters. So my friend, you have no choice but to rent what is available and pay thru the nose for those appliances you want to work and put up with idiots who never learned how to pick up after themselves or even how to close a door without slamming it shut.
2006-06-11 19:58:39 · answer #6 · answered by AL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most cases Landlord are responsible for appliances. read lease agreement fine prints before you sign. May b you can hire home inspector but it will cost you about $200.
top floor or bottom, its really a personal choice.
2006-06-11 19:57:40 · answer #7 · answered by Ted 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check a lot of places first, then have them give tours, make sure all the doors/windows close/open/lock, check the bathroom, make sure the tub drains quickly, check the stove/oven/microwave, watch for bugs, ask about neighbors(sometimes the upstairs can be bad because your celeing is their floor), and last check to make sure the cabinet doors in the kitchen are all secure(one of mine was glued in place one time, and I ended up getting stuck with an entire cabinet that I couldnt open)
2006-06-11 19:53:30 · answer #8 · answered by aroundthecorner_bumpme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
READ THE LEASE CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SIGN, ASK QUESTION AND GET YOUR ANSWER IN WRITING. GET TO KNOW THE LAWS WHERE YOU ARE AT.
2006-06-11 19:52:33 · answer #9 · answered by ron d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋