What are some things to know before renting an apartment ?

Answer 1

Utilities: Who is responsible for what? Are you getting heat, electric, or water as part of your lease? In an apartment situation, water is usually included. Heat may be included, or your landlord may bill you for a portion. If the heat is just for your apartment, than you are paying for it. Same with electric.

What repairs are the landlord is responsible for, and what repairs you have to do. Sometimes there is a dollar amount in the lease that states that everything below that amount is your responsibility. Do not expect your landlord to change your light bulbs, etc.

Do a walkthrough of the apartment with the landlord before signing the lease. Make sure that if there are any problems they are noted in the lease, otherwise, you may be charged for the repairs when you move out.

If there are other people in the building, you may want to see how they maintain their own common areas. Do you want to live with these people?

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Read your lease. Ask questions if you don't understand. You are legally liable for rent for the length of the lease and can only get out of it for specified reasons so if you think your job might move you to another city, then be sure you can get out of your lease for that reason. You can barter for things in a lease and leases can be changed. Anything your landlord promises to do or repair, have them include those things in the lease and a date those things will be finished by. If you have a roommate and you both sign the lease and they take off, you are still responsible for the lease in total. And, before you move anything in, take pictures that prove what the apartment looked like when you moved in, and take pictures of everything when you move out. That way you have proof of everything just in case you end up with a nasty landlord. Before you move in check everything to be sure it works and as your utilities get turned on check again. If you need repairs down, notify your landlord. If they are not fixed promptly, notify your landlord in writing, return receipt and keep copies so that you have proof of your requests. Be sure the locks on your doors are new or the locks have been rekeyed. And take the pictures-that's the best advice. . .

Answer 3

Make SURE you like the place before you sign that lease. Once you sign, you're obligated to pay the rent on time for the entire length of the lease, even if you have gripes about maintenance or your noisy/nosy neighbors.

READ THE LEASE BEFORE YOU SIGN IT. Don't come back a month later and say "I didn't realize the rent was late on the 5th," or "I didn't know water wasn't included in the rent."

If you intend to have roommates, THEY need to be on the lease, too.

You need to think about getting the electricity, water, gas (if necessary) and phone turned on. The leasing office can give you all the pertinent contact info.

Answer 4

If the property manager tells you something, make certain to get it in writing. Ours messed us over. Our lease ended May 1 and we were supposed to move into a house then but the house still wasn't empty and we asked if we would have to pay another month bc we couldn't and we told her if we needed to be out we could rent a mini storage and stay with family. She acted very understanding and told us as long as we were out by the 7th she wouldn't make us pay another month. Few months later, a collection agency contancts us and it was a big mess. And a blemish on our credit report. So, if you don't have it in writing, it never happened.