Finding and moving into a new apartment can be a stressful process. Fortunately, some advance planning can help make rental housing choices easier.
Decide What to Look For
Renters searching for a new apartment should first decide on what they are looking for. Some common factors that renters take into consideration are:
- Is a highrise or a walk-up building preferable?
- Does the renter want a corporate-managed apartment, or an independently-owned building?
- Would the renter prefer to live in an urban area, or in the suburbs?
- The proximity of the apartment to grocery stores, school, work, leisure activities, and family.
- What amenities might be included with the apartment?
- What, if any utilities will be included in the rent?
When looking for an apartment, it's important to remember that amenities like swimming pools, exercise rooms and dishwashers are luxuries that can drive up the price of an apartment.
Decide Where to Look
The first place many people look when they start their apartment search is the classified section of the newspaper. While classified apartment listings can provide valuable leads on available apartments, renters may want to consider using multiple sources to give themselves the best possible selection.
- Colleges and universities often have online postings for off-campus student housing, or a student housing department that has postings of available rentals.
- Many landlords will put signs up in front of their building without advertising in the classified. Renters should consider taking regular walks around their desired neighborhood in order to see rental opportunities as soon as they become available.
- Renters should also ask friends and family if they know of anyone who is moving, or who may be renting out an apartment.
- Those who are currently renting and happy with their management company should inquire as to available rental units in other company-owned buildings.
Inspect Prospective Apartments Carefully
Renters who are going to view possible apartments should know that one of the best times to look at an apartment can be at night. Going to view apartments at night can give renters the "feel" of what the neighborhood will be like, as well as what the lighting is like outside the building.
Making appointments to view apartments in the evening can also be helpful in detecting unwanted "roommates"-- insects and other pests. When entering the apartment, turn on lights, and open cupboard doors to see if any vermin or bugs are already living in the apartment.
Renters should be clear on how the building management handles maintenance issues, especially issues that arise during evenings on weekends.
Beyond inspecting the apartment itself, renters should also consider the rest of the building when viewing an apartment. Does the building look clean? What about the hallways? Is garbage piled up in the trash room? Does the building look like it is well-maintained?
Saving Money
Every renter wants to save as much money as possible on their rental accomodation. Here are some suggestions on how to save money when renting an apartment:
- sometimes privately managed buildings are more willing to negotiate on rent than corporate-managed apartment complexes
- some buildings offer reduced rental rates for tenants who are willing to work a few hours a week showing vacant apartments, or performing other administrative and maintenance duties
- Many renters find roommates to help with rent and utility bills
- Renters wanting to save money will rent a studio rather than a one bedroom. As well, basement suites are often cheaper than other units in the same building. A good rule of thumb for highrise apartment buildings is that the rent gets higher with every floor. Apartments on the lower floors of the buildings may not have the most spectacular views, but they often have the cheapest rent.
- While apartment hunting, renters wanting to save money will look for units with more basic appliances (fridge and stove, rather than a unit that includes dishwasher, air conditioner, and microwave).
With a little advance planning, the quest to find apartments becomes easier. Renters can help themselves by staying organized, and prioritizing their rental housing wish list.
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