Conduct the search
Step1
Be prepared: Create a renter's re'sume' with your current and previous five addresses and landlord phone numbers, your employer and length of employment, your current salary and other income, personal references, among other information. Include a copy of your credit report (see
How to Shop for a Mortgage, Step 5). You want to look as good on paper as possible to stand out from other applicants.
Step2
Look in the newspaper classifieds, apartment hunter publications, college campus bulletin boards, and online for available units to investigate. Ask friends about openings in their buildings.
Step3
Consider how much you can afford to pay. A good rule of thumb is no more than 30 percent of your take-home monthly income.
Step4
Enlist a rental agent to narrow your search. Depending on the market, this service may be free (paid for by landlords) or cost you a percentage of your rent when you land the apartment.
Step5
Turn to a roommate service if you're looking for cheaper space to share. Be clear what qualities you desire in a roommate, as well as types of people or habits you'd prefer to avoid, such as smokers.
Case the joint
Step1
Inspect the property carefully. If there's any damage, you not only want to ask that it be fixed, but don't want to be blamed for it later. Make sure such problem areas are addressed in a lease, either by your agreeing to live with it, or the landlord agreeing to fix it by a certain date.
Step2
Check out common walls (walls shared with adjoining apartments). The more walls in common, the greater the chance of noise from next door. Also consider a common entrance in terms of how much privacy you may want.
Step3
Ask about amenities such as enclosed parking or a garage, a yard, storage, laundry facilities, pool, tennis, gym or concierge services.
Negotiate the deal
Step1
If you find an apartment you love but is a stretch financially, ask if there are responsibilities you can take on to lower your rent, such as cutting the lawn, sweeping common areas or taking deliveries. Or if you find a great apartment but it lacks services such as utilities, laundry facilities, cable TV and Internet access, ask the landlord to throw some in at no charge. Many newer buildings will. Or offer to sign a longer-term lease or give a higher security deposit in exchange for more services.
Step2
Examine your lease in detail: How much notice is required prior to moving, how large a deposit you have to make, how much cleaning is required upon leaving to get your deposit back, and other provisions. Some agreements require first and last months' rent plus a security deposit--a significant chunk of change. Is the lease month to month, or a 6- or 12-month period?
Step3
Find out what kinds of cosmetic changes you can make, such as painting walls, or structural changes, such as adding shelving.
Step4
Ask for a lease with an option to buy if you'd be interested in purchasing the property down the line.
Comments
meldo said
on 6/16/2007 I just love my landlord! He always asks us how we're doing and if everything is okay with the place. At xmas, he always gives us a gift. Usually chocolate or a bottle of cheap wine but still, it is a nice gesture. I actually found the apartment at http://www.simplerent.com . Hope you find a lanlord as nice as mine!
Anonymous said
on 9/18/2006 Rent Marketer posts vacant properties to over 20 rental sites. We used to post our properties one at a time on 2 or 3 sites but now we let Rent Marketer do it for us. Hope this tip helps!
Anonymous said
on 9/7/2006 If you are above the ground level, be sure that there is an escape route in the event of a fire. It's the law to have a fire escape.
Anonymous said
on 10/1/2007 Renters have the right to choose to rent or not rent to any individual. They have the right to make that decision and it is their own business if that decision is based on the potential tenant's age, ethnicity, or sexual preference. And you know, that is a very good way to find a good tenant.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 It is a good idea to bring someone with you when you go, so if you need to complain you have a witness.
I wanted to rent an apartment and the landlord would not stop asking where my "mommy and daddy" were, and who would be paying for the rent. I'm 21 with a stable income so this was completly unfounded.
I tried to complain but nothing came of it.