10 Factors to Consider for your First Rented Apartment
Moving

10 Factors to Consider for your First Rented Apartment

Getting ready to move out of the home and renting your very first apartment is both exciting and difficult. Exciting because you can finally have your place and feel like an adult. It’s also difficult because it involves careful decision-making. Nevertheless, having your own place, even if it’s rented, is a good start in making your war to adult life.

There are so many factors to consider before you decide to choose an apartment. It can be tricky but there is a process to follow. At this age, you can get a lot of information on how to choose your first apartment. Below are factors to consider before you sign the lease and pay:

Budget

Make sure that you have enough budget for renting out an apartment and this budget is set aside for the sole purpose of rent. Ensure that you can afford to the place and you have a stable income to support monthly fees and utility bills. Always consider apartments that are within your budget capacity.

Upfront costs

Rent fee is not the only thing you will spend with. You’re going to shell out money before you moved into the apartment. You have to pay for application fees, security deposit, and some month’s rent advance. Before moving in and scouting for a new place, you should have savings for this to cover everything upfront.

Quality of the apartment

Don’t just trust what the landlord says or the picture online. You should arrange to visit the place in person. In this way, you would know personally the issues of the place such as broken walls or blinds or scratches on the floor. You should also find out serious problems such as bug problems or rodents, water damage, electrical problems, broken HVAC system, and more.

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Location

Always consider the location when choosing an apartment to live. Find out if the location is near to important places such as grocery store, workplace, school, entertainment center, hospital, and more. is it safe to walk during night time? Check out your possible neighbors and ask them as well about their experience in the area.

10 Factors to Consider for your First Rented Apartment

Neighborhood

You should get a sense of the community. Spending time with the community will help you better assess the general age and demographics. You can also check online about the neighborhood’s safety record and the crime rate. In addition, you can also know the community rules on specific things such as lease and traffic or parking regulations.

Utility bills

You should determine if you’ll be responsible for your own utility or already included in the cost of renting the apartment. If you’re going to shoulder it, find out which one you’d pay and how much usually is per month. Keep in mind that utility costs vary on different factors such as the size of the place and use of HVAC.

Amenities

Consider the amenities of the rental apartment. Make sure that it will fit your lifestyle and needs. You should get answers to the following questions?

  • Do you need an elevator?
  • Does the building have a gym?
  • Is there an affordable gym nearby?
  • Is there a dishwasher?
  • Are washing machine and dryer included in the apartment building?
  • Is it near public transportation?
  • Is there a Laundromat shop nearby?
  • Are there any nearby restaurants, shops, and grocery stores?

Consider these amenities before you get the rental apartment.

Pets

If you have a pet, you want to look for a space that allows them. If your pet used to roam around freely in a huge room, consider getting an apartment with enough room for it to wander around. Do your research first and see which apartment allows a pet. Some don’t allow and others charge additional fees or put up some restrictions. A house or space like kit homes will give more space for your pet and it may come with a backyard. Always read the lease term regarding pets before you sign.

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Insurance

Insurance is a great way to have assistance in case of emergency. The renters are free to arrange their own insurance if they want too. The landlord made sure to have property insurance even before home builders were able to erect the building but it may not cover damages caused by renters or personal belongings. With own insurance, tenants can make a claim if there is an accident or damage to their personal belongings.

Lease Term

This is the legal document in which the renter agrees to stay and pay rent for the period of time specified in the written contract. Read the entire document and ask the landlord for clarifications on things not clear to you. You should know what you’re signing up for. Find out the limits on what you can do to avoid future trouble. You can request to go over the lease term agreement for a few days to make sure you understand everything and it suits your needs. Maybe you can also ask for help in reviewing the lease.

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1 Comment

  1. Alexa says:

    Currently contemplating whether to move to another apartment or not. Will keep these factors in mind. Thanks for sharing!

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