Not sure what to look out for while at a open house? Here's a list I curated to find my perfect place and things I kept in mind after moving in.
When apartment hunting, it's easy to get blinded in the excitement of getting your own place. Don't be fooled! Look carefully and ask questions.
Before moving, I went on eight different websites to find an apartment in the city. Smart idea? Well not really. All those emails that I've sent out to potential roommates and landlords was a bust. Reason? I wasn't there yet so how could I secure a place or have them trust me when the only interaction we've had was through email? Fail.
It's great that you're being proactive but in the long run, not a good idea. I do however suggest posting an ad (within a month before you move) mentioning that you'll be moving to X and are looking for X so that they're well aware of the situation. Then let them contact you. If things are going well, great! But NEVER sign any documents, send them money or give them a copy of your ID. There's a lot of scam artists out there.
That said, let's get to the good stuff.
THINGS TO CONSIDER when you're at a open house
- Cost and location
- Washer/Dryer. Some places don't have this, which sucks cause you'll have to walk to the nearest laundrymat that might be a few block away.
- Refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven. Okay, all homes should have this but a few apartments I checked didn't. Crazy right?
- AC
- Furnished or not
- Closet Space. Is it big enough for all your things? Does your room even have a closet?
- Outlets. How many are there and where is it located?
- Pet friendly or not. How many can you have and is there a fee?
- Where will my packages be dropped off? What about my mail?
- The people. Do they seem friendly or sketchy? Is this a party house? How many people will be living there?
- If the apartment facing a freeway or busy street?
UTILITIES: WHAT DOES IT COVER?
- Water
- Internet/Wifi
- Sewage/Trash
- Heater
- Gas
- Electric
- Cable
AREA / NEIGHBORHOOD
- Safe?
- Secure building?
- Nearby public transportation and parking
- Nearby grocery store
Other things I was curious about
- Phone reception
- Water pressure
- Smoking rules
- Can I lock my bedroom door?
The Lease Agreement
- How long is it for? Month-to-month? 3 or 6 months? 1 year?
- Rent Money. When is it due and how do they want it? Personal check, money order, cashier's check, or cash? What happens if it's late?
- Security Deposit. Typically it's one month's rent. When will you get it back? Will you get it back? Make sure this is clear!
- What will the landlord repair?
- Do I need renter's insurance?
- Alterations, Renovations, Improvements. Am I allowed to hang things with nails or with sticky hooks? Can I paint?
- Renewal clauses and policies
- Policy on damages caused by you during your stay
- If your place is carpeted, will I need to have it professionally cleaned before I vacate?
Now that you've found the perfect place and signed the lease, is there anything else to consider? The answer is, always.
After signing the lease
- Make copies of all the documents and don't lose it
- Take photos of all pre-existing damages prior to moving in. Landlords will do a walk-through before and after moving so if you see something that was already damaged, make a note of that or they'll use your security deposit to fix it
- Change your address and secure residency in your new state
- Get a new state ID
House Rules
With your new housemates, it's good to have a kick-off type meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page with the house rules. People from Hawaii live slightly differently than people on the mainland. It's good to mention and discuss it at this time.
- Wearing shoes in the house. I grew up in a house where you take off your shoes at the door. My roommates didn't so I asked them if they could kindly remove it after entering
- Responsibilities. Is there a schedule on who takes out the trash or cleans the bathroom/kitchen area?
- Splitting the cost. Does everyone chip in on paper towels, TP, trash bags or is it separate?
- Food. Shared or separate? Do you have a shelf space in the refrigerator or is it free for all?
- Common areas. Living room, bathroom, and kitchen should be kept clean at all times
- Shower. I have a shared shower space and each of my roommates have long hair. I kindly asked if they could remove their drain hair after every shower to respect the next person who uses it.
- Kitchen items. Am I allowed to use your pots/pans and cooking utensils? Make sure this is clear so that you're not stepping on anyone's toes.
- Laundry. Is there a schedule for this as well? If so, what is it?
New roommates
- Always be respectful and kind to each other. The last thing you want is a roommate who despises you and ruins your things. Ouch.
- Get to know your roommates. When you first move in, it'll probably be a little awkward so find time to hang out and get to know them. The sooner the better! Hopefully they can become like your second family.
- Everyone has their own culture, traditions, and mannerisms. If you're uncomfortable or uncertain about something they do, I would talk to them about it asap. The more open you are about it, the better.
So that's it. The most important things to remember is to ask all your questions before signing anything. You want to be sure that this is the place for you. Once you've signed it, that's it. Also, be mindful and courteous of everyone living there. Be open to them about something that bothers you. The worst thing you can do is to keep it bottled in and live uncomfortably.
Sorry this was long but I hope it helps!
– Kat
PS, Apologies for any grammatical and spelling errors!