Your Apartment Or Condo Search
BATTLECALL GUEST EXPERT: Kyle Haley, Relocation
Guide
When you are apartment or condo hunting, prepare a search plan. Be
sure to know in advance what you want in an apartment and what you can live
without. Decide in advance what areas of the city you could consider living in
and make a list of apartment buildings within that perimeter.
Be sure to consider how far and how convenient it will be for you to travel
to your job or your school or your family and friends. Also, how far is the
apartment from stores, banks, hospitals, Church (if you attend) etc. If you have
a car, make sure that there is adequate and convenient parking space 24/7. If
you don't drive make sure that there is close by public transportation.
Narrow your apartment locating to the size of rental unit you need. Studio
apartment or one bedroom apartment or 2 BR apartment or more. Are you
considering a furnished apartment or do you possible need a short term rental.
If you are renting an apartment with a cat, dog, or other pet, you need to find
out which apartments allow renting with pets and which do not. And, if they do
allow pets, is there an additional security deposit required and if so, how much
it is. Do you need an apartment complex with an exercise room or tennis courts
or a pool or a recreation room, etc. or do you simply need and desire a nice
clean and quiet pad.
Be realistic about what you can afford. Most apartment and condo renting
guides suggest that your rent should not be more than 25% to 30% of your income.
This can vary depending on the income bracket, but be sure to be "real world"
when budgeting additional apartment expenses such as heating and air
conditioning and other utilities. If you fall short of affording the apartment
of your choice, you might consider sharing an apartment with a roommate or
roommates. Keep in mind that living with roommates can help you afford an
upscale apartment or even, in some cases, luxury apartments, but it also has
extreme restrictions to your privacy.
If you are familiar with the area and its neighborhoods, that gives you a
distinct advantage for your apartment search. If, however, you are relocating to
a new city or are not particularly knowledgeable about the city, you may want to
contact an Apartment Locator or an Apartment Finder.
Once you narrow your search for apartments down to apts which suit your needs
and desires you must be well organized & well prepared for your visits to
the apartment complexes. When inspecting the rental premises be on the alert for
unsafe conditions, excessive noise from traffic or playgrounds or neighbors.
Visit the apartment building at night as well as the daytime hours. This will
give you a more comprehensive understanding of the total space you will be
residing in.
When you find the apartment complex that meets your renting needs and
desires, you must be ready to put your "best foot forward" when you meet the
apartment's rental agent. This person may be the apartment building manager or a
renting agent for the apts. You should prepare for this apartment renting
interview in a professional and intelligent manner. Be advised that you are
going to be asked to provide proof that you are a reliable prospective tenant.
You are most likely going to need references from previous landlords. You may
also be required by the apartments to show that you are gainfully employed and
can afford the rent. Many landlords may require a credit report. If you are a
first time renter and/or you have limited credit history you may be asked for
references from family, friends, employer, professionals, etc. Likewise if you
are renting with bad credit you will certainly want to come to the interview
with a strong selection of references.
You are not necessarily restricted from apartment renting with less than
perfect credit, but you may be required to put up an additional security deposit
and possibly have a credit worthy person co-sign the apartment lease with you.
Don't unprepared for by requests for any of these things. Be sure to fill out a
100% truthful apartment rental application and come to the interview with
references, proof of employment, credit information and any other renting
resources at the ready. If you do have a credit history or renting history that
might be detrimental, going through an apartment locator or apartment finder may
be the best solution. They will present your history to the landlord for you,
(make sure they are 100% truthful about it) and they can also be quite helpful
and save you a lot of time because they most likely will know which landlords
and apartments are more lenient in these circumstances. They can also advise you
as to exactly what kinds of references and documents you might need to prove
that you can be a responsible tenant.
You Have Located Your "Dream Apartment"
Once you have located your "dream apartment", or as close to your perfect
apartment as possible, now it is necessary to pay extremely close attention to
the particulars of the rental agreement. An Apartment Lease is a contract
between you and the landlord. Once agreed upon and signed by the tenant and the
landlord, the rental lease creates obligations and restrictions for both
parties. The most obvious covenants of the apartment lease are the length of the
rental, (Six month lease, one year lease, two year lease, etc.) The amount of
the security deposit, when the rent is due, who is responsible for what
utilities. Also in that apartment lease, however, are stipulations, (sometimes
in small print) that can cover a great variety of landlord and tenant
obligations and restrictions.
They can include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Maintenance of the apartment
* Care of the premises
* Cleanliness
* Insurance
* Governmental regulations
* Eminent Domain
*
Nuisance and noise clauses
* Stipulations as to the circumstances whereby
the landlord can enter the premises
* Use of Common Areas
* Keys and
locks
* Loss or damage
* Parking
* Pets
* Plumbing
* What
the landlord may do if the rent is in arrears
* What the tenant can do to
bring the rent current before any kind of action might be started
* Non
performance or breach of the contract by the renter
* Renter's penalties in
the event of early termination
* Circumstances which might cause the tenant
or the landlord to break the lease prior to the end of the term
* Heat and
other utilities
* Removal of goods
* Surrender or Non-Surrender of the
premises
* Waivers of various obligations
* Prohibited reprisals
*
Garbage disposal
* Recyclables
* And the list goes on and on and on.
Prospective tenants should read an Apartment lease thoroughly. Prospective
apartment renters should understand everything that is contained in that lease
and make an informed decision to be 100% accepting of all the provisions for
both the tenant and the landlord, that you are positive that you can live up to
your end of the bargain and that you are comfortable with the provisions on the
landlord's end.
If you do not understand every single clause of that apartment lease then do
not sign it until you do understand it. If necessary and if possible, request
assistance in interpreting the lease from a trusted source such as a
knowledgeable friend or family member or employer or professional, or anyone
else who can understand it and explain it to you. If necessary get legal advice.
It can cost additional funds if you do not qualify for free legal assistance,
but that additional cost might save you a ton of money and save you a ton of
heartache and aggravation down the road.
If you do not agree with any of the provisions of that apartment lease and/or
you feel that you can't live up to the tenant's obligations, or if you are not
in agreement with any of the landlord's rights under the agreement, then do not
sign the lease until/or unless it can be changed to your satisfaction. If the
apartment rental agreement cannot be amended to meet your needs and desires and
comfort level then do not sign the lease and do not rent that apartment. The
Apartment Rental agreement that you sign as a prospective tenant will not change
once you become the actual tenant of that apartment.
Good luck in your search and good luck in your new condo or apartment.
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