Flickr photo by jawcey
I made a huge renter’s error: I forgot to ask questions BEFORE applying and signing the lease to live in downtown York. I assumed some things about the apartment, which is a terrible thing to do in any circumstance. I thought I was a thorough person, but in this instance, I failed.
Now stuck with my new apartment, I will have to make the best of it.
Here are some questions you must ask the landlord before applying for an apartment:
What utilities does the renter have to pay and what ones does the landlord? This is important because you could be stuck with everything, which can get expensive.
Is there parking? Does it come with the apartment and how much? Sometimes an apartment doesn’t come with a parking spot, especially in the city area, which is the trouble I ran into recently.
How much is the security deposit? Usually it is one month’s rent, but some places charge double. That’s a lot of money.
If I need to leave, how many days notice must I give? This is another issue I have with the current landlord, who requires double what the usual amount of days leasing companies use.
Are pets allowed? If you really want to get a pet, you need to ask because most places will not allow them. If they do, there is usually a fee involved.
How is snow removal? (if you live somewhere where that’s a problem.) That is probably the reason for my current move: I need to get to work on time, no matter the weather. Unless 50 inches of snow is called for, I need to drive on the slick streets at 9 a.m. I don’t want to be stuck with no way out.
There are a few other things to ask about, including how the maintenance people are as far as timeliness and what hours they are available; what can be hung on the walls, as many companies now will only allow small frame hangers and nails; lead paint and mold issues; and if renters insurance is required, which will cost you a bit more money in the overall scheme of renting.
Another tip: Measure the doorways. There is a possibility you won’t be able to get your favorite couch through, which will then need to go to a friend or the Salvation Army.
Are there any questions you would add to this list? Did you ever run into any problems because you forgot to ask a question?
Other housing triumphs and woes from 20-somethings:
Am I too old for a roommate?
Growing a garden — with limits
Searching for a forever home
Buying a big girl bed
Should I rent or buy?
Also related to measuring doorways, make sure you keep a tape measure with you while furniture shopping! Thankfully my ma instilled this in my head when I moved off to college, but without that tip, I can’t tell you how many awful furniture decisions I would have made in my time as a mostly independent 20-something.