When you’re considering renting an apartment, you’ll want to know what to expect from a prospective apartment community. That’s why asking the right questions of an apartment community manager is so important. Ask these questions during your apartment search to ensure that you have a clear picture of what it will be like to live in your new digs.
What is the condition of the unit?
Before you sign a lease, if possible, have the apartment manager show you the exact unit you’ll live in. Take your time and do a thorough inspection, checking out the condition of appliances, windows and walls.
What’s the noise level like?
Apartment community managers — especially those who live on-site — are very familiar with the amount of noise in a community because they’re usually the first ones to be notified of complaints. If peace and quiet are of great importance to you, ask when noise levels are highest in the community.
What’s the parking situation?
Will you have your own designated parking spot in your apartment community? If not, ask the apartment manager about parking rules. Make sure that there will be room for your car in the community’s lot. And if you plan on having a regular guest (like a boyfriend or girlfriend) visit your apartment, be clear on where they are allowed to park, too.
Where are the washer and dryer/hookups?
If there isn’t a washer and dryer or hookups in your apartment, ask the apartment manager where you can do laundry. Is there a laundry room in the building? How much does it cost to wash and dry clothes? If there’s no laundry room, ask where the nearest laundrymat is located.
What is the pet policy?
Don’t forget to ask about Fido during your apartment search. Rules on how apartment communities handle pets vary greatly from one community to the next. Ask whether there are restrictions on types of pets, what the fees are (if any) for having a pet and what the policy is for cleaning up after Fido.
Where do residents shop?
Getting a handle on an apartment community’s neighborhood is an important part of your apartment search. Ask the apartment manager where the most convenient places are to shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions and get gas. Access to the goods and services you use most will be important to you once you settle in.
Can I decorate?
Some leases place restrictions on what kind of decorating a tenant can do. For example, some apartment communities don’t allow residents to paint or make holes in the walls. If setting your own decor is important to you, make sure you know exactly what’s allowed.
How are maintenance issues handled?
Ask about the procedures for handling maintenance issues and repair requests: Should you put them in writing or is verbal notice appropriate? Is there an on-site maintenance crew?
Are there any monthly fees?
You know you have to pay rent every month. But there might be other monthly fees associated with renting an apartment. If you have a pet, you might have to pay a monthly pet fee. You may also be responsible for paying some or all of the utilities. Make sure you understand — and can afford — the actual cost of renting an apartment.
Be diligent about asking questions during your apartment search, and you’ll be prepared for a smooth move into your new apartment community.
In your post you explain realistic questions and you elaborate on each one. Your style of explanation is awesome. Thanks.
Two points I would like to elaborate on from the point of view of a leasing consultant are “What are noise levels like?” and “Viewing exact unit.” In many situations, apartment managers and/or office staff are unable to comment on the “is it quiet here?” question. Due to fair housing laws, apartment professionals are unable to directly comment on or hint at the demographics of a community. Asking the quiet question may be miscontrued as an age question (which is a protected class) because you might really be asking “are there lots of families with children running around here?” or “are there lots of teens/young adults who party a lot?” Don’t be surprised if you get the run-around if you ask this question or are unable to get the exact answer you want.
As far as viewing the exact apartment, in many situations it is unrealistic to view it until the day you move in. Of course you will do a move-in inspection to assess the condition of the apartment at that time, but it is a safety and liability risk to the community to take a prospect into an unfinished unit. A better question to ask is what is your “satisfaction guaranteed” policy. If it is not up to your standards for cleanliness or not anything like what you saw in the model, what can you do about it?
Thank you very much for sharing these clarifications.
thank you, lots of questions that helps me.
You sure like to HIDE, don’t YOU.
Great info!
Absolutely great guidance!
Great info. I’m almost ready to sign a lease, and I feel good that I’ve already have answers to all but one of these questions – I’ll get the last one answered today – thanks again!
Thanks, it’s helpful to see these thoughts written down!
I always look at the apartment I am going to rent, not a MODEL!
I am very thankful for this information. It is especially helpful for me because I’ve never thought that it would take as much consideration when looking for an apartment. I will be sure to use this advice.
Thanks, Guys.
What if the move is from the west to east coast.? I am looking at appts 1500 miles away?
Hi! You may find this article helpful about your long-distance move.
http://www.movingtoday.com/special-considerations-for-long-distance-moves/
Leasing Consultant has a great point. We are unable to answer a lot of frequently asked questions (crime, noise, demographics, etc). I would recommend asking which agency has jurisdiction in the apartment community and contact them directly for crime statistics for the area. There are many other online resources that you may use to find out the information you are seeking.
Is it alright to ask about utilities, such as the average cost per month? Are managers able to answer that?
It is certainly all right to ask questions about utilities expenses for an apartment. An apartment community manager likely may have information to share about those details. Thanks for your comment!
Hi! I’m planning to move either to Naples or Ft. Myers Fl and I want to know if I’m going to be able to rent an apartment without having a job yet. I’m going to look for a job as soon as I get there, but I don’t have any other place to stay. I already called one apartment community I’m interested in and they asked me for check stubs or a letter from any company that hires me. Please I need some orientation. I will appreciate it.
Hi, Rouxann. It sounds like you are on the right track by contacting apartment communities where you are interested in living to inquire about their renting requirements. You might want to contact more than one community to expand your options, as well. You may find that communities have different requirements. Best wishes on your apartment search!
i was in the exact same boat, trying to move to the same area. you will find almost NO landlords/complexes willing to rent to you without a job FIRST. which is why i had to move in with friends down here until i got a job offer. that is what makes moving before you have a job so darn hard. you might be able to convince them to let you move in before you have a job offer if you can show them your bank account balance, and your balance can cover the entire length of your lease. for example, if you sign a 6 month lease, your bank account balance would have to cover the entire 6 months rent. otherwise, you are out of luck! welcome to what sucks about relocating.
These are great tips. I’d add that you can look on everyblock.com for approximate crime stats. That’s what I tell my clients to do.
I’d also add taking a look on Google Maps- they have reviews of some apartment communities.
Also, put in your application as a term of renting any repairs that need to be made. This way everyone’s on the same page.
These are great tips, and what Leasing Consultant said about not being able to view the exact apartment until move-in made me feel at ease. I asked to see the unit before I moved in and they explained I could see it a few days beforehand but it wouldn’t be ready until then.
This community approved me with NO deposit, which shocked me because I have a recent foreclosure on my credit. Another community approved me with a month’s rent as deposit. Is the “no deposit” too good to be true? I thought surely they’d charge me at least half a month’s rent for a deposit.
Hi, Kristan! You should assess any apartment community you are considering for safety, location, etc., of course. Check the terms of the lease carefully, which is a good idea for all prospective tenants. Best wishes, and thanks for your comments!
I am a student who will be moving out of state for grad school. Could you please share some tips as to how I can choose an apartment? I’m not going to see it before I move in to save money since plane tickets would cost me a fortune. Could I ask anyone to take a picture and send it to me via e-mail?
Hi, Mary. Check out our article, “Smart Tips for Finding Student Apartments.” Also, you can search for apartments near your school at ApartmentGuide.com. Just enter the name of your school in the search bar for a list of available apartments nearby. Thanks for reading!
Excellent info!! I’m just starting a search and planning to visit a couple of apartment communities out of state. You came up with a few questions I hadn’t even thought of. I’d like to add a suggestion: I am going to be looking for a ground floor/first floor apt. I will need to ask if there are security measures in place, like bars on the windows, or if I want to install them, will I be allowed? (and I assume I will have to pay for it…) Thanks!
Don’t forget to ask about safety, i.e. crime in the area. I would personally go further to speak with the local law enforcement and a few residents. There’s also an app called Life 360 you can get on your cell and/or computer that will tell you if there are any known felons and predators in the area. Be especially careful if you have children or live alone.
Hi. I’m already living in an apartment and each time I’ve renewed they have gone up in my rent. I moved here because it was cheaper and the school is amazing for my special needs child….my question is, is it legal to up someone’s rent each time they renew?
Hi, Karie, thank you for writing. Though unwelcome, it is not uncommon for rents to be adjusted when a new lease is signed. You might want to read “Reasons Your Rent Might Increase.” Thanks again!
I have a really good job offer with the company I am currently working with near DC. I have been given a month to get there and they will not help with relocation. I am low on funds and I don’t know if it would be better to try and rent a hotel room for a couple of weeks till I get my first paycheck and then move and relocate my stuff from Missouri, or what? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I need advice.
Hi, Lorene. Congratulations on your job opportunity. Moving can certainly be a stressful situation — especially a long-distance move. Whatever steps you can take to reduce that stress — whatever that means to you — is a good idea, of course. Take a look at our article, Apartment Guide Moving Checklist. Thanks very much and best wishes!
Also ask what is the policy for having a water leak in the wall after you move in and call for 8 months to be fixed, only to be ignored and find out this problem was here and the tenant before left and got a lawyer to break the lease because they refused to repair it. I cannot afford an attorney and they wouldnt let me break the lease, then 2 months later, when your lease is about to expire, they say they are raising your rent.
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