topic Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment in Community Chat

Tips on Looking for an Apartment

JBKO — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:56:32 GMT

My sister is moving out since she will be getting married and I really don't want to get a roommate. I want to downsize and get a one bedroom or studio apartment. We got really lucky when we found our current apartment as the landlord didn't run a credit check and made moving in very easy. I suspect I may not be so lucky this time around. Any tips that you found helpful? I'm planning to find a place soon in order to move in July 1st. TIA

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Love my grandkids — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:07:20 GMT

One thing to do: When you find the neighborhood you like, call the local police department and ask about the crime activity.

No neighborhood, and I mean NO neighborhood, is 100% crime free, but at least know what you are dealing with.

I wish you all the best.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Drythe — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:11:34 GMT

@JBKO

Ask your current landlord if he knows of anything smaller, or knows of anyone who might have something.

I used to have great luck doing this.

Best Wishes.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Love my grandkids — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:15:31 GMT

@Drythe Excellent idea.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

VaBelle35 — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:26:04 GMT

Here are some tips I got when looking for my first apartment near the city:

1. If the blinds are down when they show you the apartment, open them to see what they are hiding.

2. Ask to open the windows when you first get there so you can see how loud it is with the windows open.

3. The strong smell of freshly sprayed for roaches, etc. could mean there is a problem, although some places may automatically spray after each tenant as part of their refreshing of the space. As such, open every cabinet, the oven and closets to see if anything runs our or is dead in there (sorry to be so gross).

4. Note where the elevators, freight elevator and garbage shoots are in relation to your apartment. The elevators can be annoying at night when you are trying to sleep and if people are moving in and out it can be annoying on weekends. People toss trash all day and night and don't realize how loud it is when you are sleeping.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

viva923 — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:29:11 GMT

find a neighborhood you feel comfortable in.

call police to see how crime rate is (I believe someone mentioned that in another post)

make sure you can afford the rent.

ask your landlord if they know of any available apartment in an area he would recommend. You could luck out if there was a smaller place in the apartment complex you are living in.

talk with people when you find an apartment you feel comfortable with to see how other people are in the complex.

that was excellent idea about roaches/mice problem, check for dead bugs--or droppings, open the windows --shades too. Wow i have forgotten so much about renting, I was young when I was renting LOL that was a whole long time ago.

in one apartment complex we lived in, the young kid in the next unit would blast his radio (boom box back then) so loud my walls would vibarte. I would constantly have to knock on their unit door to quiet the kid down.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

pigletsmom — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:26:38 GMT

Try to check out the area of complex on a weekend or evening. That way you can see what it's like when people are home.

Try for a top floor. If you can't ask who would be above you. If you're going to be annoyed by kids running around you don't want them overhead. Of course that could change at any time which is why I'd always go top floor.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:33:26 GMT

Try to improve your credit record? Check to see if there are any inaccuracies.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Mominohio — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:48:04 GMT

If living alone, I would suggest a few things.

Doors without windows in them. Doors with windows in them are too easy to knock a pane out, turn the lock and get right in.

Make sure all windows have locks that work. Make sure any sliding glass doors are the kind that can't be lifted out from the outside to break in. Make sure there is a lock on it, and putting a cut off broom stick or piece of wood in the track when not home or at night is additional safety.

I prefer an apartment that has outside access. No hallways or stair cases. My knees wouldn't handle the steps well, and hallways can hide people who might be up to no good. Apartments with your own separate entrance/porch seem safer to me.

If you drive, where is parking? Many apartments here are being built like duplexes, with driveways and your own garage, that when you pull in, you can enter your home from directly inside your own garage, after you put the door down with the remote, from the safety of the inside of your car.

If outside parking is all that is available, is it right near your door, and is there adequate lighting in the lot at night? Are there assigned spots to ensure you get one close the the building/door?

Consider the area for crime, public transportation stops, and proximity to shopping or other things you need or use (doctors, hospitals, jobs, church, etc.).

Your area may have lots to choose from or the market may be very tight, but look at lots of places if you can. Consider places that seem out of your financial reach, as sometimes they can be a better deal, as around here, some places pay a lot more of your utilities. Most here cover water/sewer, and trash. Some though pay all utilities, except phone and cable. So while that may seem to cost a lot, not having to pay utilities (especially heating/cooling) may actually make it the same monthly expense, or even less than a cheaper apartment where the utilities will run high because of lack of insulation or storm/insulated windows.

Many older apartment buildings haven't been updated and the insulation, windows and doors aren't energy efficient, and when paying utilities can add a lot to your monthly expenses.

Read the lease carefully before signing. You don't want surprises after the fact. Know before hand what you can and can't have or do.

Consider if you want a nice outside space. A deck or patio and some yard or will something more like a high rise building more suited to you? Here many apartments are now first floor only, have nice patios and porches or even small decks out back. It is more like a tiny house than a traditional apartment.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Eileen in Virginia — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 21:51:46 GMT

@Love my grandkids

Great suggestion! These days many police departments have websites where you can pull up this information. It’s especially helpful if they display the crime statistics on a map because you can check the stats for the areas around/near the apartment you’re considering as well as the one where the apartment is actually located.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

suziebee1 — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:11:58 GMT

The biggest complaints I had in my old apartment were parking and noise. There were 4 parking spaces, and one was a H/C space, for 16 apartments. The people who parked in the 3 spaces never moved their cars - I don't know how they paid their rent as they never seemed to work. I had a garage, but it was quite a ways away from my door. I was on the 2nd floor and the people above me were very loud, and the place wasn't insulated well, and I could hear their every step, and hear them flush the toilet, and argue. So, if I had to move to another apartment, I would get the top floor (hopefully with an elevator) and make sure there was adequate parking or assigned spaces. I did love the fact that I had full sized washer and dryer in my apartment - that was very nice to have. Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Love my grandkids — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:21:12 GMT

Check to see if any apt. you look at has smoke detectors.

Turn on the water faucets to make sure you have decent water pressure.

And I agree: NO glass in the door for safety reasons.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

NycVixen — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:26:31 GMT

Ask your current landlord for a letter stating you are currently in good standing and have been for the duration of your lease. This will help you immensely especially if your credit is an issue.

I've only had two apartments but I made sure I was given a letter from my first landlord that I vacated the apartment in good standing. It's a great reference and covers you against fraudulent accusations from the landlord.

Make sure to take pictures when you vacate the apartment with a time and date stamp. You can also take a video.

Call one of the credit bureaus and advise you are looking for an apartment and therefore multiple entities will be running your credit. I believe they allow a 14 day window to count as one inquiry if you advise beforehand. This is what we did when we were car shopping in 2013. Just make sure you have them run your credit within the window.

Here is a link from Experian:

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/multiple-inquiries-when-shopping-for-an-car-loan/

Asking your landlord for other apartments he may have is a great idea. That is how my DH's company found their new business lease with the same landlord.

Before you sign a lease make sure to go to the building at different times of the day and days of the week. I almost signed a lease to an apt when I was really young in a really bad neighborhood because the first time I visited was early Saturday morning. It was entirely different at night and not safe for a single woman to live alone.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

NycVixen — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:50:28 GMT

I live in a co-op that is very well maintained. If you can, ask potential neighbors what they think of the building before you move in. If you are dealing with a management company do ask tenants how they are treated. Ask how is the heat and hot water and if they are happy living there. Do check the water pressure.

Do see where your apt and its windows are in relation to the building. I've always ended up facing the back where the garbage is thrown. This time I'm higher up so it's ok but there will be more tendency for noise and vermin coming into your window if you're on a lower floor.

Make sure to sign a one year lease so you can leave if the apt doesn't suit you. Read the fine print very carefully before you sign so you know what will cause you to lose your deposit. For example, tenants are not supposed to move in on weekends but Monday to Friday 9-6 pm. However, many violate their lease on moving day and then plead with my super not to report them.

Ask how attentive is the super or if there is even a live in super. My first building didn't have one and my current one does. When I lost my outside key he gave me a copy the same day not to mention any emergencies like toilet etc. are taken care of right away.

Look to see if there is a laundry room and if so how big it is. If not, check where the nearest laudromat, bank, supermarket and pharmacy is. Being able to run errands near your home saves so much time. My first apt had nothing nearby. It made my life much harder especially when I was ill and living alone with no help.

Check to see where the nearest post office is. At least for me this matters since I do most of my shopping online.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

maestra — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:46:57 GMT

@JBKO

Drive around apatment complexes in the evening when people get home from work to get a general 'feel' when the apartments are occupied.

Check out the cars (none on cinder blocks) and maintainance/use of facilities such as pools, parks, decks, common laundry areas, parking, etc.

If doors are supposed to be locked for security, check and see if they are. Check for good lighting, especially at night and around stairs and parking lots.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

software — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 23:56:32 GMT

Visit at night, during the day many people are at work.

Night is when everyone is home and hopefully to tired to be rowdy.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

JBKO — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 01:12:29 GMT

What a wealth of knowledge! You are all so kind and generous to share all these tips with me. Thanks a million!

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

Katcat1 — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 01:22:01 GMT

@JBKO If you look at any apt. complexes, you will have to pay a small fee for a cedit check. If you are trying to avoid that, look for apts. that are is run by the landlord for one or two buildinigs. You need to make a list of features you want such as central air, dishwasher, washer & dryer, outside activities, etc.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

SXMGirl — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 01:34:38 GMT

@JBKO, I have never lived in an apartment complex, but you have gotten many great ideas of what to look for. My friend, who has lived in an apartment for many years and is a senior citizen, lives next to the office. It is quiet at night and there rarely is any noise during the day.

If you have any medical issues, you may need an elevator instead of just stairs. If you are a senior citizen, ask if there is a senior discount. My friend did not know about one; but, when his apartment complex found out his age, he received a large and unexpected refund.

Take pictures of the apartment when touring, again when you move in, and once again when you move out. Look for worn carpeting and make sure that the appliances work. Find out if the complex pays for cable or any utilities,when/how often trash is picked up, and any other amenities. If you have a pet, what is the pet fee and what size pet is permitted. Where my friend lives (and I know several people who also live there), there is a continental breakfast every morning in the common room for all residents. Another friend who lives there is a zumba instructor and gives free lessons there. Look to see what is offered.

The most important thing is to make sure that you will feel safe living there by yourself. Check the area out on a Saturday night on a nice evening and you will have a good idea of the neighbors.

Re: Tips on Looking for an Apartment

ccassaday — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 01:55:37 GMT

If there is no elevator and you aren’t on the ground floor think about carrying groceries and stuff up the stairs. It can get tedious. Sometimes a grocery delivery service might be available.