What Questions To Ask As A New Tenant
You may have been there before: You’re looking at an apartment and have no idea what you need to know. You know you should be asking the landlord questions about the unit, but you don’t know where to start. If you don’t know what questions to ask when renting an apartment, you could get stuck renting an apartment that doesn’t meet your needs and doesn’t have policies you can tolerate.
Effective apartment hunting involves preparing and organizing your search to ensure you find a rental that meets your needs. It’s vital that you read your lease thoroughly, but asking these questions ahead of time (as well as working closely with a leasing agent) can help you collect important information before you get further into the rental process.
Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment
As a renter, it’s your responsibility to know the questions to ask when renting an apartment in order to find the right fit for you. But what kinds of questions should you be asking? To answer this, we’ve crafted a list of some of the best questions to ask when renting an apartment so you know all the essential details before moving in. It’s worth asking these questions before signing any lease agreement so that you understand the lease terms and can avoid potential misunderstandings.
What’s the Cost of Rent and What Does it Cover?
If you’re going to be spending a large chunk of your income every month on rent, it’s important to understand the total monthly rent amount and what it includes. Ask the landlord about utilities — how much are they per month? Are they included in the total rent price? What specific utilities are covered, like water, electricity, or Wi-Fi? Don’t forget to ask about other amenities or features that may be included in your rent, such as parking, a pool, or a gym. Pet rent may also be included in your total rent amount (we’ll talk more about pet rent later), while your security deposit is wholly separate.
What are My Payment Options and What Is the Late Fee?
Every landlord operates differently, so it’s important to understand the methods available to pay rent and which ones your landlord accepts rent payments through. In recent years, online rent payments have become overwhelmingly popular, but some landlords still require physical payments each month, like checks. If this is the case for an apartment you’ve got your eye on, consider how this will (or won’t) fit your lifestyle. If you’re unable to make the time to send in a physical payment, your landlord may charge you a late fee.
Late fees are another policy to check with a landlord about. You should always pay your rent on time if possible, but emergencies can arise when you least expect it, so ask the landlord what their policy is and how much a late fee would cost as per the rental agreement and local laws.
Do You Require Renters Insurance?
Most landlords require renter’s insurance, but not all do, so check in with a landlord to see if they require it and what level of coverage they look for. Even if a landlord doesn’t ask you to purchase a policy, it’s recommended to get renter’s insurance anyway since it’s relatively inexpensive and can save your possessions in an emergency (think vandalism, fires, theft, etc.).
Can I Alter the Apartment?
For renters interested in interior design or unique decorations, or just for renters who might want to paint a room, it’s a good idea to ask if you’re allowed to alter the rental unit. Some landlords are okay with minor changes to apartment buildings like painting a few rooms (some even have a list of approved colors for the apartment), but few if any will be okay with you knocking down walls or replacing the entire apartment’s flooring. It’s important to understand your landlord’s specific policies related to changing the rental unit.
No matter what changes you want to make or think your landlord will approve, you should ask first so you know for certain that it’s an okay change to make. Even making “renter-friendly” changes like stick-on countertops, wallpaper, or flooring can leave damage when removed and run you the risk of being charged for repairs. Always exercise caution when changing the space since the cost of repairs will be deducted from your security deposit at the end of your lease contract.
How do I Submit Maintenance Requests?
A landlord or property manager should have a good answer to this question. If your refrigerator breaks, your garbage disposal stops working, or your neighbor’s apartment begins flooding into yours, you’ll want to know the person to call and how quickly they can arrive to help fix the situation. More and more, landlords are beginning to use online resources for submitting and checking the status of maintenance tickets, but in an emergency, you’ll still want to know how to get help quickly. Likewise, you’ll also want to know how much notice your landlord will give you before entering your unit for any other reasons.
Do You Allow Pets?
Landlords will often have a clear pet policy, whether the answer is yes or no. If the answer is yes, understand that there may be more to the property’s pet policy—it may include a list of types of pets that are allowed in the apartment or weight limits for your animal. If the answer is no but you do have a pet, don’t try to hide it in the apartment. Chances are, your landlord will figure out what you’re up to and you’ll find yourself in trouble.
You should also ask pet-friendly landlords about rules for your pet or extra pet deposits and fees so you won’t be surprised later. A pet deposit typically covers potential damage caused by your pet and is typically refundable, whereas pet rent is a monthly fee added onto your rent that usually isn’t refundable. Be sure you clarify whether any pet fee is one-time or repeating and refundable or nonrefundable.
What Are Your Policies on Subletting?
If you’re someone who plans on studying abroad, moving before your lease is up, traveling for long periods of time, or otherwise leaving your apartment empty, you should ask a potential landlord about their policies on subletting or subleasing. Some landlords may allow subletting under certain conditions, but some landlords are against it, so just like with pets, don’t try to hide a subletting tenant from your landlord.
What Are Your Rules for Common Spaces?
Shared amenities in an apartment complex like pools, gyms, and basketball or volleyball courts are great features for the community but often come with rules for use. Make sure to check with a landlord about how common spaces should be maintained and if there are any rules such as quiet hours that should be followed.
Conclusion
With this new knowledge, you’re ready to take on the search for a new apartment and ask the questions you want answers to. It may be helpful to create a questions to ask when renting an apartment checklist to take notes and remember your questions with so you can be even more prepared.
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can come up with. They’ll save you a headache in the long run by preparing you for the expectations of a new space and a new landlord.
