Article Views:
135
Ezine ready page
Ezine ready page
Posted on October 24, 2007 by Jason Petrina | Posted under Real Estate
Renting Your First Appartment
|
Before renting any apartment, you should always take the time to thoroughly inspect the apartment first. This can save you from a lot of problem later on. The first thing you should inspect is the front entrance in order to determine whether the door seals properly and the lock works. If it doesn't, forget it and move on. You should also look to make sure there are no stains on the carpet or scruff marks on linoleum or hardwood floors. The same is true for wall coverings, painted walls and the ceiling. Make sure you also check for holes, cracks and/or dents in the walls and ceilings. Don't forget to check all the light fixtures to make sure they work properly as well as electrical outlets, ceiling fans and air conditioning. It's also a good idea to double check and make sure there is a phone jack in appropriate rooms and a cable TV connection. Also look to make sure that faucets are not leaking and the toilet works properly. Finally, don't forget to check to make sure the windows are safe and in good working condition. If an intercom is present, make sure it works. If you discover any potential problems, make sure you address them with the landlord and the problems are fixed before you move in. If the problems are not fixed before you move in, there's a good chance that they won't be later on and you could even run the risk of being accused of causing the damage to the apartment after you move in. These are not the only areas you should address before taking the apartment; however. You should also make sure that you talk with the landlord about the apartment, in-depth before renting it. Questions you should ask include the following: When will the apartment be available? When is the rent due? How much is the security deposit and is it refundable? If so, under what circumstances? Will a late fee be assessed if the rent is late? Are pets allowed? Is a deposit required for pets? Will any utilities be included in the rental agreement? Will I be allowed to paint the walls? Will I be allowed to run a home based business from the apartment? Who is responsible for property maintenance? Can I share the apartment with a roommate? What about subletting? Even after you have inspected the apartment and spoken with the landlord, you also need to make sure that you thoroughly study the lease before signing it. Be sure to pay attention to the begin and end dates for the lease and exactly how much time is covered by the lease. Does the lease specify how much notice you are required to give before moving out? Are there any provisions which allow the rent to be increased during the length of the lease? In the event that you find any of the terms of the lease to be objectionable, be sure to discuss them with the landlord in order to renegotiate before you sign the lease. About The Author: Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com |
Tags:
