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View Full Version : When looking to rent an apt or house


kisstalmeth520
May 22, 2009, 11:18 PM
Okay I'm about to move out of my house what should I look for in an apartment or house? What should the renter or landlord ask me for? Any suggestions would be very helpful:)

ChihuahuaMomma
May 23, 2009, 05:49 PM
This is a very vague question, so I will provide a very vague answer. Make sure that it has what you need (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, parking spot, appliances). Make sure its in your budget. It should be at least half what you make monthly (that's how I learned). And you should ask what day the rent is due, what the grace period is, what utilities are included, which are not, what are the lease period options, pet friendly, smoke friendly. Take into consideration what you own. Do you have a 1000 lb dresser? Might want a downstairs place. There are numerous things to ask for. Make a list before going in there. Go to a few websites and see what is available in your area. A few good ones are Apartments for Rent and Homes for Rent (http://www.rent.com), Find Apartments for Rent and Apartment Rentals - ApartmentGuide.com (http://www.apartmentguide.com), Apartments For Rent - Nationwide Apartment Rental Search - ForRent.com (http://www.forrent.com), craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums (http://www.craigslist.com)

DoulaLC
May 23, 2009, 05:58 PM
I always suggest calling the local police department and asking about the safety of the complex and/or area you are thinking of as well. They will be happy to tell you the crime rate and what sort of problems there might be if any. I have known some to even suggest that they wouldn't want one of their family members moving to such and such an area.

ChihuahuaMomma
May 23, 2009, 06:06 PM
That's a good idea, Doula. A lot of apartment complexes have on site security these days, so find out if the one that you are interested in has a security company. Contact THEM and ask what their most common calls are, how safe the complex is, and ask if they'd live there themselves.

Fr_Chuck
May 23, 2009, 07:34 PM
You should rent what fits your life style, do you want or like to mow grass, or plant flowers. Do you want a backyard to BBQ in. Or would you prefer a apartment with a gym, indoor pool.

What is your price range, do you want to live down town in a major city or more rual.

I mean there are 5 bedroom apartments that are bigger than any house I ever owned. Or there are one bedroom houses that would fit in my old living room.