Community Chat

[ccassaday]

Our rent for a 2 bedroom 2 bath 1173 square foot apartment was $862. We ended up paying close to $1000 with everything added n. But we had a short term lease for 7 months so that was extra $50 and we have a dog so that was a extra $25.

[Laura14]

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@Spurt wrote:

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@Laura14 wrote:

Thank you both.  That's helpful.  I was wondering about how much I should budget extra over the rent cost. 

No pets so I am knocking those fees off.  There is no such thing as no pets around me but as far as I can tell that's not a group fee.  

Would you believe I found one complex around me that seems like it bills $35 a month for your parking spot?  This is not NYC or even a walking area.   Not even in public transportation.  That one got me which is why I am wondering what other creativity is out there.  

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@Laura14

When I went around with my sister some of the apartment had absolutely no storage space other than a small bedroom closet and a tiny pantry....but you can a storage unit that you have to travel a ways too for a charge of $96...its ridiculous....and if you want a covered parking spot thats $20 extra too....These places get you coming and going...

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@Spurt  Exactly!  It's ridiculous!  Some of the fees I am seeing I am like really?

I think I have figured out that valet trash is kind of like home pickup.  Can we really not walk ourselves to the dumpster anymore people?  You need to pay a few hundred dollars a year for that instead of just taking a walk?  I used to put my trash bag in the trunk for one minute, stop, dump it, and then go on my way to work. 

The parking spot $36 monthly fee for my car is the best one yet though.  

[Laura14]

Thanks @CinNC!! 

I do have to say the pictures I am seeing of apartments nowadays, wow are they nicer than what I had 20 years ago.  Dishwashers and nice refrigerators and hardwood floors with the patios screened in....they look nice.  We'll see in person.  

[grandma2pkmh]

@Laura14  So many things have changed since I lived in apartments.  I do not like the thought of anyone else being responsible for paying fees due for my residence. If I owe for water I want to pay it myself. If I owe for cable I want to pay it myself, etc. I'm sure you have heard of apartment owners not paying the water bill and then the water is cut off for all residents.  If don't know if this type of apartment (pay your own utilities) exist any more but is what I would look for. Good luck in your search.

[ccassaday]

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@Laura14 wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@Laura14

One of my co-workers used to live in a place near the office that was designed more like a townhouse...she told us they did have one common meter for electric and divided the bill into how many apartments were rented....She hated it because she saw her neighbors that had kids leave their sliding glass door open in the middle of summer which ran up everyone's bill, while she put her thermostat at 78 and tried to conserve.  She got tired of the high utility bills and moved.  Even though her commute was a bit longer she saved a lot on her electric bill...........

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@Spurt  And there is my fear, right there.  I'm hoping the one bedroom apartments don't really have the kids (they usually don't) and they run up the 2 and 3 bedroom rentals instead.  

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Beware if there is kids and they are on the second floor it will be noisy. The 2 yo above us was running around by 645 every morning. Maybe you could find one level apartments where there is no second or third floors.

[Laura14]

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@ccassaday wrote:

Our rent for a 2 bedroom 2 bath 1173 square foot apartment was $862. We ended up paying close to $1000 with everything added n. But we had a short term lease for 7 months so that was extra $50 and we have a dog so that was a extra $25.

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@ccassaday  If I could come through the screen and hug you I would. 

Thank you so much for looking that up for me.  That calms me down a lot.  That is a lot better than I expected.  I was wondering if I needed to add on a few hundred dollars for everything they want out of you these days each month but that isn't bad at all.

I love you people.  Best place to come and get advice.    

[Laura14]

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@ccassaday wrote:

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@Laura14 wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@Laura14

One of my co-workers used to live in a place near the office that was designed more like a townhouse...she told us they did have one common meter for electric and divided the bill into how many apartments were rented....She hated it because she saw her neighbors that had kids leave their sliding glass door open in the middle of summer which ran up everyone's bill, while she put her thermostat at 78 and tried to conserve.  She got tired of the high utility bills and moved.  Even though her commute was a bit longer she saved a lot on her electric bill...........

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@Spurt  And there is my fear, right there.  I'm hoping the one bedroom apartments don't really have the kids (they usually don't) and they run up the 2 and 3 bedroom rentals instead.  

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Beware if there is kids and they are on the second floor it will be noisy. The 2 yo above us was running around by 645 every morning. Maybe you could find one level apartments where there is no second or third floors.

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@ccassaday  I am actually thinking of the top floor.  They are cheaper and I don't have much stuff.  I usually had the top floor in every place I'd been except a few back in the day. 

I honestly don't mind that type of overhead noise although I know it bothers the heck out of a lot of other people.  My pet peeves are barking dogs and loud music.  That I can't take.        

[Spurt]

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@Laura14 wrote:

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@Cumbercookie13 wrote:

I may be looking for an apartment within the next month or so if my house is purchased by a flipping group. This would be the first time I would be renting. I would prefer a private owner because they usually tend to cover water and sewer, and some will also do snow removal and grass cutting if the property has a yard. I'm trying to avoid yard maintenance and snow removal because it will be just me, have no pets.

I used to work for a non-profit that housed the homeless in an apartment complex and we also did regular rentals so I have some knowledge of costs, rules & regulations, but when you're doing it yourself, it's quite different. 

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@Cumbercookie13  I have never done a private owner.  My only concern with that is you need to have a responsible one.  Watch me get the lone person who doesn't respond to maintenance calls when needed.  I can see my episode of Judge Judy now.  I wonder if there is a way to vet them as well as they do us.  

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@Laura14

The private owners would scare me too I like to watch the Peoples Court and Judge Judy and there have been quite a few cases where private owners didnt take care of maintenance issues---heater/A/C or bug and rodent issues.....

[NicksmomESQ]

   When you rent in an apartment complex you are renting from someone you’ll probably never meet.Your’re dealing with a rental agent or bldg mgr.It’s all about business.I hear from these kind of renters that it’s hard for them to get service  when needed.No weekends etc.

   On the other hand when you rent a home or a condo if you get a good landlord life can be a lot easier.I’ve been renting out my condo for 30 years.My tenants like me.I never hassle them.On the rare occasion that they have a problem I give them the name of a plumber, electrician or handyman.I tell them to get the problem fixed & mail me the bill.I either reimburse them or pay the contractor directly.I never ever hassle them.If I can’t be reached my tenant has the authority to fix the problem & mail me the bill.

   You can vet the prospective landlord by speaking with the current occupant or neighbors.That’s what my tenants have done.I’ve gotten rave reviews.

    Also my tenant doesn’t share in the costs for services he doesn’t use.He pays for the heat he uses.There is a thermostat in every room.He doesn’t pay for water.I pay for that as part of the monthly fee.He pays for his own cable & chose his own level of service.He has 1 reserved parking spot that’s included in the rental.No additional cost.The condo also comes with a washer/ dryer, so there are no additional costs for doing laundry.

  I keep the rent competitive.I could get at least $150 more per month.But DH & I decided we’d rather have a good tenant & keep the place rented.My current tenant is going on 6 years.

[ccassaday]

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@Laura14 wrote:

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@ccassaday wrote:

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@Laura14 wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@Laura14

One of my co-workers used to live in a place near the office that was designed more like a townhouse...she told us they did have one common meter for electric and divided the bill into how many apartments were rented....She hated it because she saw her neighbors that had kids leave their sliding glass door open in the middle of summer which ran up everyone's bill, while she put her thermostat at 78 and tried to conserve.  She got tired of the high utility bills and moved.  Even though her commute was a bit longer she saved a lot on her electric bill...........

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@Spurt  And there is my fear, right there.  I'm hoping the one bedroom apartments don't really have the kids (they usually don't) and they run up the 2 and 3 bedroom rentals instead.  

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Beware if there is kids and they are on the second floor it will be noisy. The 2 yo above us was running around by 645 every morning. Maybe you could find one level apartments where there is no second or third floors.

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@ccassaday  I am actually thinking of the top floor.  They are cheaper and I don't have much stuff.  I usually had the top floor in every place I'd been except a few back in the day. 

I honestly don't mind that type of overhead noise although I know it bothers the heck out of a lot of other people.  My pet peeves are barking dogs and loud music.  That I can't take.        

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Consider also if there is no elevator. It is a pain to carry groceries up two or theee flights of stairs. That might be something to think about or get a delivery grocery service. And a washer and dryer in the apartment is essential if you are on a upper floor. We were on the main floor because of my disability.