Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Rental Apartment

Decisions like choosing a rental apartment require adequate time and deliberation. You shouldn’t wake up one day and decide to go with the flow and pick the most affordable apartment in the area. Finding a rental apartment that fits your lifestyle and budget won’t be easy, and there are several factors that you need to consider. Here are the most important ones:

Before you embark on house hunting, get a map of the area and mark the places that are crucial to you. It may be your place of work, a relative’s house, or a country club, school or baseball stadium, among other things, and decide how far from those places you are willing to move.

For example, if you are not willing to live no further than eight miles from your workplace, draw a circle that encompasses the neighborhoods and towns in an eight mile radius. You can then focus on finding an ideal apartment within the circle instead of wasting time visiting apartments that are outside your preferred location. You also want a place that is easily accessible to make your relocation effortless and your commute to work easy.

You will want to get a sense of the community before you sign those lease papers. Take some time to walk around the neighborhood to assess the general demographics. You also want to find out how safe the neighborhood is by utilizing resources such as Family WatchDog, CrimeReports, and SpotCrime.

If you have children, you may want to check if the apartment is zoned to your kid’s school or the school you want to enroll them in. For single persons or couples with no children, a walkable area might be most appealing: a neighborhood where you can walk to a local coffee shop or grocery store.

Before you start apartment hunting, you should have a price range instead of a fixed feature to make it easy to compare several apartments. You want to make sure you can afford the apartment that fits your style and needs. Do a bit of online research to get a sense of the typical rental rates in the area. If the rent of a given apartment is suspiciously low compared to other apartments in the area, that should be a red flag. Landlords usually use property management accounting software that gives them pretty accurate data about the financial aspect of lending a property, so if you see a huge difference in the rental rates of similar properties in the same area, do investigate further before making a decision.

You should also consider additional apartment costs like cable fees and other utilities. See whether the gym at the apartment is included with your rent and if you will need to pay to reserve the clubhouse for a gathering.

The lease is arguably the most important factor to consider when looking for an apartment. Before you put a signature on the lease agreement, it’s advisable to have a person you trust or a lawyer go through it to confirm it is a standard and legitimate lease. You will also want to read it to make sure it suits all your needs. Check out the many features on the lease, including the amenities, price,  the lease term, among others, that should be clearly stated in the contract. Ensure you understand what you are signing. Can you sublet? What if you are unhappy with other tenants? What will it cost you to break the lease?

If you have a pet or plan to have one in the future, it’s crucial you understand the apartment’s pet policy. Some apartments don’t allow pets, while others only allow them if you pay a pet deposit. Find out if pets are allowed and whether or not the pet deposit is refundable. In addition, see the type of pets that are allowed and if there are any limitations of owning a pet.

When apartment hunting, you also need to consider the amenities and whether or not they fit the family’s lifestyle. For instance, is there an elevator in the apartment? Do you need extra security or a doorman? Is there a gym in the apartment or nearby? Is there a dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer in the apartment? Decide what is most important to you and your family and where your priorities lie when apartment hunting.

Apartment hunting is an exciting venture where neighborhoods and views can change your whole perspective. However, finding an apartment that suits your lifestyle and needs isn’t easy, whether it’s your first time renting an apartment or you have been renting one for years. Most importantly, be sure to consider these factors when looking for a rental apartment.

Published in: Home advice | Author: Yanita