Shopping for that first or next apartment? There's certainly enough of them out there and a lot of them seem the same: but are they? Listings online and in those free Apartment guides you find in convenient stores all sound similar: supposedly spacious lofts, one and two bedrooms, amenities galore, well kept grounds and conveniently located near work, school or main roads, but just how good are they really and what things might the ads be leaving out? It certainly helps if one knows what to look for, especially when trying to avoid the kind of complexes you'd rather not be stuck in for a year. Here's a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing that next apartment.
First off start looking well in advance of when you actually need to move so you don't have to settle for the first thing that comes along. Pick the area you prefer to live in first and go have a good look at it before you even start visiting leasing offices. Look for things such as how well the streets in the neighborhoods are maintained, is there litter cluttering the right of way, any abandoned buildings or houses or poorly maintained vacant lots? Are there broken and empty newspaper boxes and abandoned shopping carts along the road side? Definitely avoid renting in areas like this. Also some regional and local newspapers (such as the Northwest edition of The Tampa Tribune) carry records of police calls. Beware of areas where the police are often called upon to investigate reports of robberies, break-ins and domestic violence.
Let's say you've narrowed down your search to a few places. If there are available units--especially a lot--the leasing staff will want to get eligible applicants signing a lease as quickly as possible. Before you even enter their offices take a good look at the complex on your own. Go ahead and park in any available visitor parking and play detective a little. Have a look at the grounds: are they well maintained and litter free? Check out the pool and any other amenities they have. Is the pool sparkling clean or does it resemble a pond sans lily pads? Wander about the apartment buildings themselves. Look for things like bags of trash left outside units and late notices or eviction notices taped to doors. Is there a lot of cigarette butts and dog scat littering the grounds or people who seem to have nothing better to do except loiter in stairwells or the parking lots? Make sure any laundry facilities and mailbox areas are in decent shape and don't exhibit signs of vandalism. Also beware of apartment complexes with banners or signs posted offering amazingly low move in specials. This could mean they're desperate for tenants and one may need only a pulse and a couple hundred dollars to qualify. If you can check out any complex you're considering more than once, do it later in the day or on a weekend so you can see what kind of activities may be happening when management isn't around. If there are a lot of empty parking places this may indicate a high turnover rate and hint at reasons that this might not be a desirable place to live. Politely ask any present tenants you may meet how they like living there and if they'd recommend renting there to others. Some may tell you things that management will neglect to but would definitely want to know about. It could save you time, trouble and money later.
Moving right along, say you've checked a complex out thoroughly and are ready to talk to the leasing agent. Make sure they show you the actual apartment you might be renting and not just a model. Model apartments always look nice but aren't necessarily an accurate representation of the apartment you'll be living in. Make sure rugs and floors are very clean and not damaged in any way. Examine ceilings for signs of leaks or that may have recently been patched. Make sure blinds, windows and sliding doors are in good working order and have working locks. Same goes for all plumbing, fixtures and appliances. Take a good look under the sinks for leaks and possible bug infestations, particularly cockroaches. Examine the insides of all cabinets and closets as well. Be alert for any "off smells", no matter how faint and what may look like bug egg casings. If possible make up your own check list or have the leasing office provide you one. List any discrepancies no matter how small.
So bare these things in mind as you go apartment hunting. Once the lease is signed you have to live there--or at least pay the rent for--the required length of time. There's no getting out of it, a lease is a legal binding contract so make sure it won't be a decision that you'll regret sooner rather than later.
First off start looking well in advance of when you actually need to move so you don't have to settle for the first thing that comes along. Pick the area you prefer to live in first and go have a good look at it before you even start visiting leasing offices. Look for things such as how well the streets in the neighborhoods are maintained, is there litter cluttering the right of way, any abandoned buildings or houses or poorly maintained vacant lots? Are there broken and empty newspaper boxes and abandoned shopping carts along the road side? Definitely avoid renting in areas like this. Also some regional and local newspapers (such as the Northwest edition of The Tampa Tribune) carry records of police calls. Beware of areas where the police are often called upon to investigate reports of robberies, break-ins and domestic violence.
Let's say you've narrowed down your search to a few places. If there are available units--especially a lot--the leasing staff will want to get eligible applicants signing a lease as quickly as possible. Before you even enter their offices take a good look at the complex on your own. Go ahead and park in any available visitor parking and play detective a little. Have a look at the grounds: are they well maintained and litter free? Check out the pool and any other amenities they have. Is the pool sparkling clean or does it resemble a pond sans lily pads? Wander about the apartment buildings themselves. Look for things like bags of trash left outside units and late notices or eviction notices taped to doors. Is there a lot of cigarette butts and dog scat littering the grounds or people who seem to have nothing better to do except loiter in stairwells or the parking lots? Make sure any laundry facilities and mailbox areas are in decent shape and don't exhibit signs of vandalism. Also beware of apartment complexes with banners or signs posted offering amazingly low move in specials. This could mean they're desperate for tenants and one may need only a pulse and a couple hundred dollars to qualify. If you can check out any complex you're considering more than once, do it later in the day or on a weekend so you can see what kind of activities may be happening when management isn't around. If there are a lot of empty parking places this may indicate a high turnover rate and hint at reasons that this might not be a desirable place to live. Politely ask any present tenants you may meet how they like living there and if they'd recommend renting there to others. Some may tell you things that management will neglect to but would definitely want to know about. It could save you time, trouble and money later.
Moving right along, say you've checked a complex out thoroughly and are ready to talk to the leasing agent. Make sure they show you the actual apartment you might be renting and not just a model. Model apartments always look nice but aren't necessarily an accurate representation of the apartment you'll be living in. Make sure rugs and floors are very clean and not damaged in any way. Examine ceilings for signs of leaks or that may have recently been patched. Make sure blinds, windows and sliding doors are in good working order and have working locks. Same goes for all plumbing, fixtures and appliances. Take a good look under the sinks for leaks and possible bug infestations, particularly cockroaches. Examine the insides of all cabinets and closets as well. Be alert for any "off smells", no matter how faint and what may look like bug egg casings. If possible make up your own check list or have the leasing office provide you one. List any discrepancies no matter how small.
So bare these things in mind as you go apartment hunting. Once the lease is signed you have to live there--or at least pay the rent for--the required length of time. There's no getting out of it, a lease is a legal binding contract so make sure it won't be a decision that you'll regret sooner rather than later.
