After you've done so much researching online for your perfect home and narrowed it down – now is the perfect time to get your answers to essential questions before you sign the lease. You will want to know the right questions to ask when renting an apartment before signing your name away.
How Do I Pay Rent?
Most apartment property management will have an online payment option – but not all do. If they do, make sure to ask if there are any additional costs/fees for paying online. If your lease requires you to hand-deliver a check to the rental office each month, consider how feasible that is for your lifestyle and where your apartment is located. If you can’t consistently make that errand on time, the penalties for late payments could include added fees and possibly a hit to your credit score if your landlord chooses to report the late payments.
Which Utilities Are Included In The Rent and Which Am I Responsible For?
If you’re about to pay a fortune for a one-bedroom apartment with all utilities included versus a cheaper apartment – it might be a better deal than the cheaper one! Landlords have complete control over how they handle utility payments for their tenants, so it’s important to know how many utilities will be included in your rent. If you’re going to be paying utilities separately, ask the landlord how much these cost the current tenants each month so you can take that into account when comparing rental rates.
How Do Maintenance Requests Work?
Maintaining your apartment upkeep is important as well, but sometimes things will be out of your hands and in your landlord's instead. This is an important question, and any good landlord will have a good and quick answer to this. They’ll typically give you specific information on who to call and how quickly to expect maintenance at your door. Check to see if your landlord uses an online maintenance portal where you can quickly document and request any necessary repairs.
What Are The Options For Parking?
Does a part of your rent include access to parking? Is its on-street parking, reserved, or in an open lot? If parking isn’t provided, what are the alternatives? Nearby garages? Can you pay extra for additional reserved spots or a garage? Be wary of being told street parking is easy to find. It’s not always easier and you’ll tend to have to park further away.
How Are Deliveries Handled?
This seems like a small thing – leaving your package in front of your house is the obvious thing. But what if someone ends up stealing the package if you’re at work? Some property management will allow you to leave packages in their office for you to pick up but it’s always important to ask.
Are Pets Allowed?
If you’re an avid pet lover, be on the lookout for this in the lease or ask while you’re viewing the apartment. Many landlords have a “no pets allowed” policy and handle on a case-by-case basis if you ask. If pets are allowed, you may need to pay a pet deposit or monthly fees.
What’s Your Policy On Subletting?
This is important because you never know how your life will turn out, in case you have to move for whatever reason. If your lease doesn’t specifically say no subletting, then you’ll be able to sublet your apartment. They may require the subletters to meet a certain standard and can deny those applications as well.
Is Renters Insurance Required?
Renters insurance is not always required, but it does cover your property in case of an event like flood, fire, or theft. Depending on the circumstances, it may also cover injuries that happen inside your apartment. It typically costs very little per month, so even if they don’t require you to have it, it may be a good idea to get it if you plan on staying for a while.
