What to look for when renting an apartment

Chances are good your first apartment wasn’t much to write home about. When we’re young and moving out on our own for the first time, we’re usually more beggars than choosers. You take what you can get and sort out the details later.

Unfortunately, most young renters don’t know what to look for, what questions to ask, or what is expected when renting an apartment. So here are tips to help make finding and occupying your first apartment much less painful.

Make sure you can afford to live on your own. Before you make that leap from your parents’ home to your own place make sure you are financially ready for the responsibility. Your rent payment should not consume more than 30 percent of your monthly income. You may need to consider getting a roommate to share the cost of rent.

Be cautious of incentives and deals. Not every deal turns out to be so great. Sometimes it’s just bait to pull you in. Be wary of signs that read, “One month free rent” or “Special savings.” Often apartment complexes will advertise rent for a certain price, but the rate will increase afterwards.

Understand the total cost of the apartment. Rent isn’t the only financial obligations when leasing an apartment. Consider other monthly costs such as utilities. Some apartment complexes require you to pay for convenient services like trash pickup or assigned parking.

Live within your means. There’s a lot to consider when renting an apartment – location, price, number of bedrooms, etc. A two bedroom apartments is more expensive than a one bedroom apartment. Apartment prices also vary depending on the neighborhood. Don’t try to take on more than you can handle. Maybe a studio apartment (sometimes known as efficiency) is lighter on your wallet than a one bedroom apartment.

Check your credit report. Many young adults may be surprised to know that their credit report has a huge impact on their ability to rent an apartment. If you have a low credit score you may still be able to rent an apartment, but the leasing office may require you to pay first and last month’s rent in advance along with the deposit and other fees. That’s expensive. However, a high credit score can mean extra savings and less up-front cost like down payments, fees, and advance rent. To find out what’s on your personal report check out AnnualCreditReport.com.

Read the lease agreement. Being unaware of what’s in your leasing agreement can cause a lot of financial problems. For example, know the apartment’s policy for damages you cause to the apartment. Some apartments will charge you for certain damages like a hole in the wall or a broken window.

Consider renter’s insurance. You may consider it an extra bill, but like health or auto insurance, renter’s insurance can save you money if something were to happen to your apartment. Renter’s insurance covers damage to personal property in the case of a fire, hurricane, or some other natural or foreseen disaster.

Finally, leasing is a two-way street of responsibility. If you feel your landlord is neglecting certain responsibilities, research your state's tenant rights.

This is an updated version of an article that was originally published in 2009.