From going to look at a place that is nothing like the advertisement to finding the perfect home and having someone snap it up before you, hunting for an apartment can be grueling. Here are five things experts say to watch out for during your search:
The length of your lease
"As simple as it sounds, some landlords will not clearly state that a lease is six or 12 months, unless you ask," said Sam Radbill, a writer for ABODO, an apartment search site. In addition to asking about the length of the lease, ask what happens when it ends — and how and if you can renew it.
Regular rent increases
One of the most important things to look for when renting an apartment is how much you will be paying in rent increases. "Make sure you ask about annual rent increases, which are typically based on property tax increases in your city," Radbill said. How much your rent can increase and how much advanced notice your landlord is required to give you varies by state, so explore those issues.
Who manages general maintenance?
"Try to talk to some current residents about maintenance service, timeliness in response to maintenance requests, as well as the overall ease of living in the building," Radbill said. A simple question like, "Does it take five weeks to get your sink unclogged?" can tell you a lot about what it's like to live there. "If basic maintenance is that slow, you might not want to sign a lease in that building," Radbill said.
What happens if you break the lease?
