Rental Apartments Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Finding the right apartment is a challenge. You do not want to rush and pick the first available apartment, otherwise, you risk ending up in a home for the next year where you are uncomfortable. At the same time, you may not be in a position where you can spend months looking for the right place. Fortunately, now is one of the best times to look for apartments. There are a number of websites you can use to find comfortable and affordable rentals in your area.

While these websites are great for finding potential locations, you cannot rely solely on them. Advertisers only highlight the best features of the apartment. You must be willing to do the research and know what questions to ask before settling on a home.

Setting an Apartment Budget

The first thing most tenants check on an apartment listing is the rental price. Many apartment websites limit your searches based on how much you want to pay in rent. Setting a budget for rent is important, but it is not the only cost to consider. You must budget for utilities. Some apartments include utilities, with water, sewage and garbage being the most common. This means you are responsible for electricity, gas, internet and cable.

Utility costs greatly vary depending on where you live. If you are moving from another state, make sure you look up what providers are in the state, and whether they operate near your apartment. In a colder state, you often pay more for gas due to increasing heating costs. In warmer states, gas bills are much lower, but in cold winters, it can skyrocket to $80 a month. Similarly, electric bills often increase during the summer months in warm areas, due to using an air conditioner. Cable and internet costs also vary by providers. Some states have multiple providers available, while others are limited to one or two companies. You can often save money by getting these costs bundled together.

Many apartment websites include a section on average utility costs in the area. This information is often a rough estimate, but it at least gives you a general idea of what to expect. You must add up all the rent and utility costs, as well as an estimate of what you spend each month. By setting a strict budget, you are less likely to fall in love with an apartment you ultimately cannot afford.

Guests and Pets

Another consideration when looking at apartments is the policy on guests and pets. Many apartment complexes are advertised as pet friendly to attract tenants. These apartments often have stipulations on what kind of pets are allowed. For example, an apartment listed as dog friendly may only allow certain breeds, or set a weight limit on what dogs are allowed. While most apartments charge an additional, non-refundable deposit, other apartments increase your rent based on the number of pets.

Apartments also have different policies regarding guests. Some apartments only allow guests to visit at certain hours, and also do not allow any guests to stay the night. Other apartments may place a limit on the number of guests you have over at a time. Another consideration is whether guests are allowed to park at the complex. These policies are not typically posted online and must be answered by the landlord directly.

Storage Space

It is easy to overlook storage space when apartment hunting. Even if you do not own many belongings when you move in, you might end up buying more items and run out of room in your apartment. Many apartment complexes provide storage, but some apartments charge extra. Others use communal storage space, which may not be appropriate if you have valuable items you plan to store.

PadMapper

PadMapper is a popular site for finding an apartment because it pulls from a large database. Unlike other apartment websites, it also looks outside of the usual realtor sources, pulling from sites like Craigslist. In addition to the usual search criteria, such as cost and number of rooms, you can also filter based on what tour is available. This is helpful if you are looking out of state and need a 3D or video tour. You can also filter out restricted income, senior living and student homes, which often bloat search results.

Walkscore

Walkscore is one of the most unique apartment finding websites. In addition to listing information about the apartment, it provides information on the neighborhood. This includes what amenities are within walking distance of the apartment, with each location receiving a different walk score. It also highlights what public transit options are available near the apartment.

Rent.com

If you want a traditional apartment website, look no further than rent.com. Rent.com is one of the oldest websites for apartment listings. It has a number of filter options, and also allows you to look at maps of the apartment and surrounding neighborhood.

Trulia

Trulia is primarily known as a website for buying and selling homes, but there is also a section for apartment rentals. Trulia has a few extra search features not found on other sites. You can search for furnished apartments or town houses. It also allows you to narrow your search by neighborhood instead of by city.