I need apartment tips
 

Hello all,

I'm in the process of moving into my first apartment. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif I've paid my deposit and saw the apartment. The apartment has been cleaned, but I was wondering if anyone can tell me what I should look for before I pay full month's rent. Thanks!!

Hey Soror!

I'm about to move into a new apartment in August, so maybe this will help....

1) Make sure you know and understand your lease agreement, i.e. the "fine print"

2) Make sure EVERYTHING is in GOOD working condition, i.e dishwasher,garbage disposal, light fixtures, central A/C, etc.

3) If there is something that is not to your satisfaction, make sure you relay your concerns to management and have it taken care of promptly.

"THEE BKLYNDELTA"
1913% LEGIT AND LOVIN' IT

Also you should ask about the crime in the area...in the apartment complex especially. When I moved out by myself that was very important to me.
Things to ask about concerning the lease are what are the penalities if you just happen to be late paying the rent? What are the policies on overnight visitors, if any? At my building you have to have a pass for any unauthorized cars overnight or they will be towed. Ask also about hooking up cable and telephone services...sometimes these companies give discounts or free installment to apartment complexes, so you should ask about that. Well, that's about all I can think of. Good luck!

My suggestions is to get EVERYTHING in writing. If it is broke, write it down. Also make a copy of everyhintg that you give to the office-lease, checks written, receipts, everything, b/c they can trip about rent not being paid. Also find out about plumbing issues and drain problems b/c at some complexes if you fix them yourself, you are liable-basically call maintenance for everything. Check about deposits for water, electricity, etc-some places pay for those, some don't. Just be sure to get everything written down or copied.

I'm currently getting my first apartment also. You said something about free installation or discounts on certain products. Do I ask the apartment landlord or the actual company about that? Sorry if that is a dumb question, but a sista gotta get some deals to save the money!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thank You!!

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Set your goal!! Strive!! Bask in your reward!!

Positive Kay

When I was looking for an apartment...the manager or the person who showed it to me told me that the cable company offered free installation if I hooked up my cable and told them that I was staying at this particular apartment. Ask your leasing agent (the person who's renting you the apartment) about any specials on cable or telephone services. Also, most apartments (at least the ones that I have been in) give you a welcome packet when you arrive that has coupons and specials for neighborhood services.

I'm moving into my FIRST APARTMENT by myself in a month! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. It's all so overwhelming. My mother has been bugging me about making sure it's on the 2nd or 3rd floor. Is it that important? I mean, that's an extra $20 a month! Also what are things that you absolutely MUST have before moving in? I bought a hammer and screwdriver already.

you DO NOT want folks on top of you TRUST ME. You will be pissed to wake up to someone who walks heavy or a kid bouncing a ball on your head.

My aunt bought me a tool kit with hammer, 4 screwdrivers, pliers,
and a wrench.

Being on the 3rd floor is a pain,but safety wise, it's better to be on the 2nd or 3rd floor since you're going be living by yourself. It's easy for someone to break into a 1st floor apartment, but it crook is willing to CLIMB 2 or 3 flights of stairs to break into someone's apartment..........

Some things to consider having:

flashlight
plunger
first aid kit
step stool(if you're short like me)

These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head, I'm sure there's more

It would be better to be on the second or third floor, for the reasons eveyone stated already, plus basement/ground level apartments have basement/ground level insects.

My tips for apartment hunting is find out the extermination policy and if there is an infestation problem (can't you tell I hate bugs??) I had to find some temp. housing for an internship one summer, (3 month leases are real hard to come by) So, I found this spot, checked the apt out several times before agreeing to move in. On move day, my roomate and I checked to see that everything was in working condition (water running, checking cabinets, etc.) So, we went to sign the lease. I swear, it was like someone pushed the "roach release" button as soon as our signatures were on paper. We returned to the apt not even ten minutes later and my roomate saw a roach. then another, and another...this place was INFESTED and we were livid! We killed at least 30 the first night and went through and entire can of raid in a few days.
Best beleive I went looking for a new place to stay and found one a few days later. No way was I living in the roach hotel all summer :mad: About two weeks after we got the first place, we moved into the second. Fortunately, the dorms hadn't closed yet, so we stayed there until the last day the dorms were open and only had to stay in the first apt for a week.
So my other tip would be find out what the termination policies are. In my case, we lucked out that the complex had a 30-day satisfaction guarantee; we got all of our money back minus the app fee.

I am also moving on my own in July. :D Believe me, you WANT to be on the top. You DO NOT want to live under anyone. TRUST ME!! I am too tired to tell about all the bull that we had to put up with living under some folks. Let's just say it's NOT fun. Pay the $20. Hell, pay $50! Just don't stay on the bottom. Also, if you live in a city like I do (which I doubt because we are FAR below sea level :rolleyes: ), it FLOODS! It's one thing to get water in your car, but your apartment? Not even gonna happen to me like that...

I am on an apartment hunt!

Thanks for posting this I'm about to move into my first apartment in June so this has been helpful

Yeah, it IS that important, MaMaNever isn't telling you wrong. My apartment is actually on ground level, but it was one of the nicer ones they had in the complex, and my whole building is one-level. I don't have to worry about some heavy-footed person above me, but I can tell you that when I am trying to get some sleep in the morning/afternoon, and someone walks past my window talking it scares the crap out of me! Security reasons are another reason to stay on a higher floor, I actually prefer the top...floor that is! It may be a beast to move in, and you may be sore for a week (trust me), but it will be well worth it, and if you have to climb steps everyday, it's good exercise!!

Anyway...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You should start right now making a list of apartment essentials, because it's usually the everyday simple things that you forget! Plunger, mop/bucket, broom, dustpan, pots/pans, tupperware, vacuum, tools, flashlight, extension cords, candles/matches, etc. etc.

If you need any advice, hit me up!

Thaaaaanks guys! I guess I'll dish out the extra money. I didn't know I had to pay deposits and activation fees for gas, electric, etc. Sheesh...all this money is making my head spin. I'm not worried about any furniture right now other than my mattress. I guess NoworNever will be having BASIC cable for now, IF that... :(

Girl, cable was a luxury when I first moved in! Maybe if you can get MomDukes to cosign on your electric, they will waive the deposit, that's how they do it here, then after 1 year, they take her off of the account. It just means that she has an account with them and that she has been pretty much current on all of her bills and hasn't had any disconnections.

Tips
 

A good resource on-line is: http://www.monstermoving.com/

Also, when looking for an apartment, try to find those small apartment booklets that are free - they are usually located at the supermarket where all the free flyers, brochures, and discounts are - and grab a couple of different ones.

Sometimes they have web sites that have 3D tours and floor plans...that's how I narrowed down my current apartment.

I use the web sites to help me narrow it down to about three and then go visit these. In MY opinion, the ONLY reason I would EXCUSE a complex not having a site is if they are NEW, lol! Other than that, I would have to wonder why they are not on-line yet....at least with an order form for visitors requesting information packets!

Good Luck! :)

You might also see what utilities your complex pays for. When I moved in to my complex, I had to have the lights already connected before they gave me my keys. I pay for light,phone,and cable. My complex pays for water,trash and sewage. It comes in handy cause I have a washer and dryer in my apartment and not having to pay for water is a huge help

And the Apartment Guide will become your best friend. The version for Dallas/Ft Worth is the size of a Stephen King novel. You can also go to apartmentguide.com or order one for the area that you're wanting to move to. They cost $5 for standard delivery(about 7 - 10 business days) and it a little more for for rush delivery

Good call. The landlord may not be forthright with you, but the local police station should have some sort of a PR officer who could tell you what sorts of activities go on in your new neighbourhood.

I did this when I was new to Toronto and I'm glad that I did!

Student Housing Community Manager here....so ask away. There are alot of things you should know. Student Housing apartment living is slightly different than conventional (regular) apartments but the law is the law no matter what type of apartment you are in. Your lease is created around the law.

Upfront $$$ - Almost ever apartment requires a deposit and some money upfront for application fee, reservation fee, no hassle move out fee, security deposit, etc....there's a name for everything. When searching, make sure you have at least $400 $500.

Signing the Lease - Don't sign anything unless you read it.

Never pay anyone to locate an apartment for you...unless you are desparate.

The best apartments are those that have everything included in the market rent i.e. washer/dryer, utilities, cable, etc.

My first choice was one of those apartment communities with everything included. It was/is awesome! Unfortunately, I didn't get in :( They were really really strict on credit and I was only allowed a co-signer for financial reasons...not if I had bad credit. I'm happy with the 2nd choice, but nothing is included. About how much do utilities costs per month...gas, electric, water?

The cost of utilities depends on the size of the apartment. Our units are 4 bedrooms and the average bill in the summer is $135 and $95 in the winter.

A few tips to help control the cost of utilites:

1. Keep your A/C on 75 degrees and on Auto. If it doesn't get cool or stay cool at 75, request maintenance to check the A/C. Don't turn your A/C on and off. If you are leaving for a long time (summer break, winter or spreak break) turn your unit off. Make sure your A/C filter is changed.

2. Turn off all lights when not home.

Any other tips that people want to throw out there? I'm thinking of moving into an apartment sometime next year.

Shop around, talk to folks in the area if they are living in apartments, check out apartmentratings.com I think it is, sometimes all people have to say are bad things but it could give you some insight into potential problems, and if decide upfront if there is ANYTHING you refuse to put up with or cannot live without. Either way if you know that going in there are some you don't even have to revisit in your thought process. Oh and if possible get floor plans to take home WITH the dimensions on them because every apartment drawing looks about the same but I know I would have been paying MUCH more for a smaller place had I not peeped the dimensions of each room.

Once you move in, I would REALLY REALLY REALLY recommend getting renter's insurance. It doesn't cost much especially if you get it from the same provider as your car insurance (through what they call a multiline discount). I pay only $8 a month for mine, and I am covered for up to $20,000. That means if I totally lose my stuff to fire or flooding, break in, or freak storm, I pay the deductible and get a nice fat check. You never know what may come up, but it's nice to be prepared. My stuff is covered, and I can have ease of mind because of it.

Which is good, but renter's insurance will always depend on city. I was paying 200 a year before I relocated, now it's up to 250 I think but that's coverage up to 35K now because of my computers and clothes and what not.

I need apartment tips
 

This is a bit off the subject, but since we're on the subject of apartments, does anyone know of any website where I can get free apartment guides for New Orleans, La, Baton Rouge, La, and Houston, Texas area. All the ones that I've found have a fee. I'm not sure where I'll be going to school so I'm trying to get apartment guides for all the areas. If any one know of any nice apartments near Southern University, Texas Southern University please post.:) :)