Your Apartment Rental Checklist

Here are some pointers for chosing your apartment rental.

Take Your Time 

Don't let a real estate agent or landlord rush you in your decision.  Tell him or her that you need a few days to make your decision.  If you are new to the area, see if you can take a local friend along who can give you some good tips about the neighborhood.  Also, read the contract carefully so that you understand what you are signing.

Make Sure That the Rent is Reasonable

Check the newspaper to see what comparable rental are going for.  You want the rent to be reasonable and should avoid renting an apartment that is out of your price range.

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Cleanliness and Upkeep of the Apartment Complex and Rental Unit

Pets

For many of us, a home is not a home without our favorite cat or dog.  Check the rental contract's provisions about pets so that you know whether or not there are restrictions or special fees or deposits for pets.

What Kind of Condition is the Kitchen In? 

It's easy to overlook when you are viewing a lot of apartments, so make a mental or written note to be suer to checkt he size of the cupboards and counters to make sure that they will meet your needs.  Check for small cracks or rot in wood or holes in walls because there may be some type of rat or pest problem. Sometimes the appliances are for "show" only, so make sure they work.  This incluides your refrigerator, stove, overn and dishwasher.  

Closet Space

When looking at apartment rentals, be sure to check out the closet space to make sure that it will meet your needs.

Internet and Cable Television Wiring 

If using the Internet or watching cable television are important to your lifestyle, make sure that the apartment rental unit is wired for these amenities.

Laundry Facilities

Apartment Safety

Safety is also very important factor while deciding apartment home rental. You should feel safe if you come home alone late at night. Similarly, inquire about any safety precautions the landlord has in place to keep intruders from coming in.  You might want to see if the apartment rental unit has an alarm system.

Parking and Lighting

You might want to see if you have a reserved parking space that is nearby your apartment rental.  There will be times that you have to haul groceries to your apartment, or you might want your car near your unit so that you can keep an eye on it.  You might want to see whether the parking lot is well lit, paticularly if you are concerned about auto theft and/or coming home late at night.

Noise and Living Environment

When you are not accompanied by the real estate agent or landlord, you might want to drive by the apartment complex at night to investigate whether there is loud music blaring or a lot of partying going on.  If you're young and don't mind this, that's one thing.  But if you like peace and quiet at night, you don't want to be living amongst a bunch of partying kids.

"Your Apartment Rental Checklist" contributed by Karen Black