Finding an apartment - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sp0rAdiC · 01-30-2006, 04:19 AM

I'm in my second semester in college, living in a dorm, and next semester I'm going to be transferring. I'm going to be going to Burlington, VT. If I get accepted, I'll go to UVM, and if not, I'll go to CCV (Community College of Vermont) in Burlington. But either way, I'm hoping to get an apartment in the area with my girlfriend. I'm expecting replies along the lines of "Bad idea, don't get an apartment with the gf" etc, etc. Right now I'm mainly asking the best ways to find an apartment when I've never rented before, and for any tips anybody might have. Thanks

maleficent · 01-30-2006, 04:47 AM

1. figure out what you can afford to spend per month on rent... don't forget to include utilities (heat/hot water/electricity/water) as well as groceries and other living expenses.
2. Figure how much you have for move in costs -- (most places charge minimum of one month rent for security, plus you need to have the first months rent)
3. Figure out how long you want to live there - is the lease a full year lease, or is it a school year lease.
4. What do you have in thw way of furniture?
5. Know the area where you are moving to, especially the demographic of the building, is it mainly young people, older people, mixture, families (families and some older people might get crabby if you play your music loudly after certain hours) Figure out what's acceptable to you
6. What's your credit like? Most landlords in bigger complexes will run a credit check, and if your credit is poor or non existant, they have the right to not rent to you... they want a good risk. or they may charge more security or ask for a co-signer.
7. Moving in with someone is a big step... be sure it's somethign you really want to do - you never truly know a person until you live with them

Moving into your first apartment is a big step. and it's not an inexpensive one...

snowy · 01-30-2006, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

7. Moving in with someone is a big step... be sure it's somethign you really want to do - you never truly know a person until you live with them

Oh, so true! I won't tell you it's a bad idea (I live with my boyfriend, moved in with him after less than 2 weeks of dating), but boy, you're going to learn an awful lot about your girlfriend REAL quick. And we're talking about some things you NEVER wanted to know.

Be prepared!

Sp0rAdiC · 01-30-2006, 07:19 AM

How could I find out what all the utilities would cost? Are they pretty consistent across the board, or... I don't know. Would there be any way to get any sort of credit in the next 6 months?

maleficent · 01-30-2006, 07:37 AM

I'm kinda lazy right now - but I'm sure that info is available on the web ... If not, the management office of where you are looking to live would be able to ballpark what that cost would be...

Some places include heat and hot water as part of the rent, and water is generally included - though not all... Some places, especially if you are in a college town, might not care as much about credit and reference checking...

Sp0rAdiC · 01-30-2006, 07:50 AM

Alright, well thanks a lot, that's just the kinda list I was looking for.

shesus · 01-30-2006, 04:51 PM

I only have one question to add to mal's great list. Check the landlord out. Is it a company or an individual? If it is an individual, do they live close by or do they seem open to help if maintenance is needed? If it's an older place make sure everything will be fixed that you want before you move in.

I have lived in a lot of rental places moving every year for the past 6 years. I have had the bum landlords and the good landlords. You have to go with your gut feeling about a person or company and not by how great the place looks or the potential it has. Let me tell you that it sucks to have a small pond in your bathroom and not have a landlord willing to help or mia and being unable to have a plumber do anything because you rent and not own.

Rodney · 01-31-2006, 04:25 PM

Couple more things.

When you inspect the apartment, or before you do, go knock on some doors elsewhere in the complex if you can get access. Tell them that you're thinking of moving in, and you just want to know what building management is like. This kind of builds on on shesus said, but it's just a good way to find out.

When you are ready to sign the papers, do a walk-through of the entire apartment with the landlord. Note problems that are already there on a log sheet and try to get the landlord to sign it; if you've got access to a video camera, it's even better to videotape the inspection.

You do all this so the landlord can't try to hold deposit money back, when you leave, for some crack in the wall or chipped counter that was already that way when you moved in. Some landlords are crooked that way, some just forget (but won't trust what you say on the matter), and, if it's a management company, the guy who checks you out of the apartment may not be the guy who checked you in and may not be willing to believe that some of the problems predate your tenancy.

maleficent · 01-31-2006, 04:28 PM

One place I've mentioned before, that's actually pretty good-- is www.apartmentratings.com... you have to take some of the comments with a grain of salt - but the assessment of where I am living now -- is spot on - the place i moved out of -- also very accurate assessments.

01-30-2006, 04:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	Finding an apartment I'm in my second semester in college, living in a dorm, and next semester I'm going to be transferring. I'm going to be going to Burlington, VT. If I get accepted, I'll go to UVM, and if not, I'll go to CCV (Community College of Vermont) in Burlington. But either way, I'm hoping to get an apartment in the area with my girlfriend. I'm expecting replies along the lines of "Bad idea, don't get an apartment with the gf" etc, etc. Right now I'm mainly asking the best ways to find an apartment when I've never rented before, and for any tips anybody might have. Thanks

01-30-2006, 04:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	1. figure out what you can afford to spend per month on rent... don't forget to include utilities (heat/hot water/electricity/water) as well as groceries and other living expenses. 2. Figure how much you have for move in costs -- (most places charge minimum of one month rent for security, plus you need to have the first months rent) 3. Figure out how long you want to live there - is the lease a full year lease, or is it a school year lease. 4. What do you have in thw way of furniture? 5. Know the area where you are moving to, especially the demographic of the building, is it mainly young people, older people, mixture, families (families and some older people might get crabby if you play your music loudly after certain hours) Figure out what's acceptable to you 6. What's your credit like? Most landlords in bigger complexes will run a credit check, and if your credit is poor or non existant, they have the right to not rent to you... they want a good risk. or they may charge more security or ask for a co-signer. 7. Moving in with someone is a big step... be sure it's somethign you really want to do - you never truly know a person until you live with them Moving into your first apartment is a big step. and it's not an inexpensive one... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

01-30-2006, 07:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I'm kinda lazy right now - but I'm sure that info is available on the web ... If not, the management office of where you are looking to live would be able to ballpark what that cost would be... Some places include heat and hot water as part of the rent, and water is generally included - though not all... Some places, especially if you are in a college town, might not care as much about credit and reference checking... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

01-30-2006, 04:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
shesus Fancy Location: Chicago	I only have one question to add to mal's great list. Check the landlord out. Is it a company or an individual? If it is an individual, do they live close by or do they seem open to help if maintenance is needed? If it's an older place make sure everything will be fixed that you want before you move in. I have lived in a lot of rental places moving every year for the past 6 years. I have had the bum landlords and the good landlords. You have to go with your gut feeling about a person or company and not by how great the place looks or the potential it has. Let me tell you that it sucks to have a small pond in your bathroom and not have a landlord willing to help or mia and being unable to have a plumber do anything because you rent and not own. __________________ Whatever did happen to your soul? I heard you sold it Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company

01-31-2006, 04:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	One place I've mentioned before, that's actually pretty good-- is www.apartmentratings.com... you have to take some of the comments with a grain of salt - but the assessment of where I am living now -- is spot on - the place i moved out of -- also very accurate assessments. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

01-30-2006, 07:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	How could I find out what all the utilities would cost? Are they pretty consistent across the board, or... I don't know. Would there be any way to get any sort of credit in the next 6 months?

01-30-2006, 07:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sp0rAdiC Insane Location: VT	Alright, well thanks a lot, that's just the kinda list I was looking for.

01-31-2006, 04:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Couple more things. When you inspect the apartment, or before you do, go knock on some doors elsewhere in the complex if you can get access. Tell them that you're thinking of moving in, and you just want to know what building management is like. This kind of builds on on shesus said, but it's just a good way to find out. When you are ready to sign the papers, do a walk-through of the entire apartment with the landlord. Note problems that are already there on a log sheet and try to get the landlord to sign it; if you've got access to a video camera, it's even better to videotape the inspection. You do all this so the landlord can't try to hold deposit money back, when you leave, for some crack in the wall or chipped counter that was already that way when you moved in. Some landlords are crooked that way, some just forget (but won't trust what you say on the matter), and, if it's a management company, the guy who checks you out of the apartment may not be the guy who checked you in and may not be willing to believe that some of the problems predate your tenancy.