Apartment Hunting
By Kalikala
@Kalikala (433)
United States
September 4, 2007 10:37pm CST
I'm planning to temporarily move to Florida in January, so I'll be shopping for my first apartment.
What should I know before I go to check places out? So far, on my list of questions to ask:
-How much is rent? (obviously)
-How much is the security deposit?
-How much is the application fee?
-How much is the pet deposit? Is any of it refundable?
-Are there any other fees?
-Which utilities are included?
-How late is the pool open? Is there a hot tub?
-Is there a charge to use the fitness or business center?
-What year were the buildings built? When is the last time they were refurbished?
-How old are the appliances? Are they energy effiecient?
-Is parking assigned, or not?
-Is the community gated? Is there security?
-Is maintenance available 24hrs? Are they on site?
-Does management live on site?
-What is the minimum # of months for a lease? What is the fee for breaking the lease?
-Can I pay the rent online? What forms of payment are included?
-Is there a separate dining room?
-Are the closets walk-in?
Can you think of anything I've left out, or anything else I need to be aware of?
Feel free to share your apartment shopping stories, too!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
5 Sep 07
You've got me laughing here gal! You've come up with enough questions to make your new landlord head a spinning! lol But you've come up with some very intelligent questions and you should do very well. Good luck to you on your journey south!
@Kalikala (433)
• United States
6 Sep 07
You should see the spreadsheet I have set up- it's insane! I've been browsing apartments online, and its the only way I can keep the one with the cheap pet deposit straight from the one with the movie theater in the apartment complex. There's too much to keep track of!
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
7 Sep 07
I bet you have but you're doing the right thing by covering all your bases. It also shows you're mature and know how to look out for yourself which is a great thing. I wish you luck!
@kneeshka123 (392)
•
18 Sep 07
What do you think of my new idea for a business?
What I want to do is open up a Viewing servie, you know for people that are working and have not got the time to go and look for a property to move to. I would get the information from them and find so many properties view them and take photos and return with the information. Don't you think this would be a good service to offer. I was wondering as you are going to be doing just that for yourself how much would you be willing to pay for this kind of service?
Thank Denise
