Apartment Hunting Guide: Tips, Legal Insights & Online Resources

Apartment Listing Services, Legal Issues & Relocation Tips

Whether you are relocating because you are going through a separation or divorce or you found a new job that will require you to relocate, this article covers the benefits of online apartment listing services as well as valuable tips on finding an apartment that fits your current needs and lifestyle.

Searching For A New Apartment

Leasing an apartment by beginning with an online search

Before starting your online search for an apartment, determine a price range you can afford. Your rent should be no more than thirty percent of your net income.

Another consideration is the location of the apartment from your place of employment. Owning a car and paying for a garage space is expensive, so you will want to know if public transportation is nearby.

Once you zero in on your budget and the neighborhoods you want to learn more about, consider using an online apartment rental listing service.

Online Apartment Listing Services

Most apartment listing services are inexpensive, informative, and have easy-to-use search features.

Below is a sampling of the kinds of information and features these services offer:

• Maps of the neighborhood
• Pictures of the building and units available
• Virtual tours of available units
• Square footage of the apartment
• Monthly price range
• Number of baths and bedrooms
• How long has the apartment been listed
• If the building is pet-friendly and their pet security deposit policy
• Whether utilities are included in the rent
• Whether the apartment comes with central air conditioning, a washer-dryer, or walk-in closets.
• Whether the apartment has disability access.
• Building proximity to different types of shopping
• Floorplans with exact measurements
• Building Smoking Policy
• Availability of street and enclosed parking

Learning About The Neighborhood

Once you have found a general area or neighborhood online that you may like and which has apartments with rents you can afford, it’s time to go offline and physically familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Do this first during the daytime hours, and if you still like the neighborhood, it’s advised that you do the same thing at night.

You want to check out the nighttime activity. A neighborhood can look fine during the day but could be a hangout for teen parties at night. You want to avoid nasty surprises after dark once you’ve moved in.

Location of grocery stores and coffee shops

Check to see if there is a grocery store within walking distance. Is there a café nearby so you can grab a cup of coffee in the morning? Is the neighborhood safe? Is there street parking?

Take your time with the process. Take a walk through the neighborhood. Talk to a few locals and ask for their opinions about the area.

Learning About The Building

Once you have checked out the neighborhood, you will want to take a more serious look at the apartment buildings you are considering.

Here are some of the building issues to consider:

• Does the landlord live in the complex?
• If not, what is the management company like?
• How accessible is its personnel?
• Is there a maintenance person on the property?
• Is the building well-maintained?
• Is the landscaping maintained?
• Is the building close to a school? (If so, daytime noise may be a problem if you work from home or on a night shift)
• If you see a resident, stop and ask them for their impression of the building’s management and neighborhood.
• How effective are the locks?
• If it’s a controlled entry system, how does it work?
• Are the building entry doors sometimes left open?
• Is the fire safety equipment maintained and functioning?

Learning About Your landlord

Since the landlord will want to know a great deal about you, such as your employment and creditworthiness, it may be a good idea to learn more about your landlord.

Tenants create Facebook pages on their building where potential tenants can learn how management treats their tenants and whether the building has any systemic problems, such as air-conditioning systems left in disrepair or problem with getting hot water into the units.

When you check out an apartment, check out the landlord who comes with it. Just as you know, a good landlord can make your life pleasant, so every landlord recognizes the value of a good tenant.

Questions for the landlord

Write a list of questions to ask the prospective landlord. But only the important ones. If you have too many, the landlord may decide you’re likely to be a nuisance.

Here are questions you should consider:

• When is the apartment going to be available? Is it currently occupied?
• Ask about the rent. How much is it?
• When is it due and what are late charges?
• How much is the security deposit?
• Can you increase my security deposit during the lease term?
• Are there any rules about subletting or roommates?
• Can you modify the apartment, such as painting or adding shelves?
• Are there laundry facilities on the premises?
• What are the interior and exterior parking options?
• How does garbage removal work here?
• Do you use a particular internet provider?

These questions and others are likely answered in the lease. Ask if you look at a copy of the lease before you decide.

You should look it over very carefully before signing it. If there are lease issues that you feel are important, make sure that they are written down and included in the lease agreement before you sign to avoid any misunderstandings later.

Can My Landlord Legally Require A Credit Report?

Yes. Your landlord will want to know whether you’re a reasonable risk before renting you an apartment. Just as you don’t like surprises, your prospective landlord certainly doesn’t either. One suggestion is to bring a copy of your credit rating when you look at apartments. Make sure it’s current.

Many Landlords will obtain tenant credit profiles that provide information on whether you have been late or delinquent in paying your rent, loans, or car payments, convicted of a crime, prior evictions, whether you have previous lawsuits, and whether you make enough money or borrowing history to establish a positive credit history.

Landlord may accept a guarantor if your credit is not sufficient

Poor credit may make renting the apartment you want difficult, but it won’t necessarily make it impossible. If you can find someone to act as your guarantor, a landlord may accept you as a tenant so long as the guarantor is willing to have their credit evaluated as part of the process.

The application and tenant screening process

Make yourself presentable

Apartment hunting is competitive. Suitable apartments in quality buildings generate a lot of interest. The best ones may have waiting lists. So, go ahead and get your name onto a few. You will only get the call if you’re on the list.

The way you present yourself is crucial. Everything about you, from your demeanor to your clothing, should say: “I am low maintenance.” Think about it from the landlord’s perspective: they want a tenant who’s tidy, quiet, pays on time, and doesn’t make unreasonable requests.

On the other hand, you want a fair, responsive landlord who maintains the building well and ensures that all the other tenants will comply with the community rules.

Filling out the rental application

Once you find an apartment in a neighborhood you like, the owner or building manager may ask you to fill out their rental application. Most landlords want to know that your financial situation is stable and have a recent rental history.

Providing References

You will be asked for a list of references. Yes, the landlord wants to ensure you will be a reliable tenant, but it is unlikely those references will actually be contacted.

The references are likely to serve a more calculated purpose. Should you default on your rent, the landlord will use those references to track you down so they can serve with a civil suit.

Signing The lease – Legal Considerations

The final step is signing the lease. A lease is a binding legal contract. It will state all essential terms, such as the amount of rent to be paid when the rent is due and the amount of the security deposit required.

The Legal Issues And Tips To Be Considered

Trouble Tip:

The security deposit is paid to the landlord before you move in and must be returned to you when you move out, provided the apartment is in good condition and without deduction for everyday wear and tear.

Online Apartment Listing Service

Consider Using An Apartment Listings Such As Apartments.com

Related Articles, Affiliates and Sponsors…