A Big Mistake: Moving Into an Incomplete Apartment

So your anxious about moving in.  You tell the community manager the date you want to move in the apartment and he/she promises you the apartment will be ready.  Unfortunately, you learn the hard way, like so many other renters, that sometimes promises aren't always kept in the apartment industry. 

The manager walks you to your new home only to find out that some things in the unit are simply not done!  You see outlet covers off the wall, carpet stains, wires hanging out of who knows what, and there is still some painting that needs to be done.  The manager is apologizing profusely and you are ready to blow your top because you know in a few days the electricity will be cut off in your old apartment!  Uh oh!

This scenario happens more often than you think in the apartment industry.  On one hand, you have over anxious apartment renters trying to speed up a move-in process on an unfinished suite that may take anywhere from one to three weeks depending on the condition of the unit.  Some are left with serious bug problems, electrical problems, pipe leaks, broken appliances, fixtures, and filthy walls and carpets.  Then on the other hand, you have over anxious leasing consultants and/or managers who quickly take cash and signatures from future residents while failing to stay on top of maintenance and outside contractors' duties.  What an unnecessary headache!

You can avoid the previous scenario if you do just two things:  don't sign or drop off cash unless you have seen the ready suite and have walked the suite with the manager or consultant--don't believe promises, believe what you see instead.  When a renter is anxious, excited or "just can't wait," mistakes will happen and that's when what once was up comes down quickly in the business relationship.  You may want to take a trusted relative or friend with you who isn't as excited about your potential new apartment.  He or she most likely will watch out for things that you may overlook due to your excitement.

If you do accept the keys and have handed money over to management and the suite is still not ready, you can ask that your first month's rent be prorated.  Basically what this means is rather than pay the full months rent, you are deducted the amount from the total due until you are able to officially move-in.  You can also request your first month's rent check back or ask that it isn't deposited until agreed upon maintenance issues are handled prior to move-in.  But whatever you do, don't hand over any more money, sign anymore paperwork, or bring any of your items to the apartment when work still needs to be done.  Otherwise, maintenance can say that they couldn't complete a job, because your belongings were in the way.  You don't want to give them any excuse not to get your apartment ready.  Also, if you have already received the keys to your place, take the time to take photos, video and note any significant wear in the unit.  Once the apartment is officially prepped, be sure to do a walk-through with management or a leasing consultant.

Nicholl McGuire

Don't Believe the Hype: Apartment Rental Books

The pictures are pretty!  The features and amenities are everything that you wished for!  Those apartment guide books are so impressive, but what's the catch?  If you haven't been asking yourself that, you should!  Don't let the pictures fool you! 

I have personally come across many properties that looked beautiful, but once I arrived to view them, they were hideous!  They forgot to mention the roaches, dead stink bugs, cracked paint, the water damage on the ceilings and walls from a leaky roof, the smelly, worn carpet in the entrance ways, and other things that would make you feel ashamed to bring your relatives over.

The prices aren't that affordable as one would like for you to believe in those rental books either!  There are usually a few left at your desired price, but once you arrive, you find out that there are a whole lot more available at a price you don't want to pay.

Be careful of those "too good to be true" deals as well.  Why would anyone practically give away an apartment before a resident moves in?  "Two months free!  No security deposit!  Fully furnished with no rent to pay the first month!  No security deposit or first months rent!"  Huh?  You better be asking questions and when you visit, go over that place with a fine tooth comb.  Also, check out the neighborhood.

Some alternative places you may consider looking, if you are having zero success with apartment rental books, would be:  newspapers--the free ones as well as the paid ones, fliers on college campuses, word of mouth, online social networking, and online classified ads.

Always remember to ask specific questions about the apartment and the community before visiting.  Why not also ask people in your social networks as well?  Consider using Google maps to check out the neighborhood.  Check police blotters (usually printed in newspapers) about the latest activities or conduct online research when checking out the nieighborhoods.

Nicholl McGuire  

Moving in October, November & December? Good luck.

If you are one of the lucky ones that already secured an apartment you really like before the fall season, congratulations!  However, for those looking to get a place around that time, the pickings are slim!  As the weather gets cooler (especially on the east coast,) people do less moving.  Therefore, apartment availability, particularly in ideal locations, is slim.  College students are also settling in apartment communities as well, so it makes it a challenge to find a place.   

Be sure to leave contact information when visiting places you like and if there is a waiting list, be on it.  This way once a resident gives notice to leave, you will be one of the first to know.  Most apartment communities require a security deposit and first month's rent.  However, if your credit is not so good, expect to pay at least twice the security deposit.

Nicholl McGuire

How Important is Public Transportation When You Look for Housing?

Some apartment shoppers don't bother asking about public transportation simply because they know they will be driving their car.  But what happens when the car breaks down and you just can't afford to fix it?  Most will say, "Well, I will just call my mom, my dad or a friend."  As we all know, people are only generous for a limited time only.  When seeking an apartment, do consider one that does have nearby public transportation.  When you do, you will be glad you did especially when you notice how much it may cost you to drive into work each day from your new place.

Most apartment leasing offices do have bus schedules available.  You can also visit local grocery stores and bus depots to pick up a weekly or monthly bus pass.  Take a moment to use the Internet to search for bus stops in the area that you are thinking about moving into.

If you are moving your family and you have teenagers, think about the places they will want to go.  Public transportation will save money and time for a busy parent who isn't always available to transport his or her teen around town.

Nicholl McGuire

What's that Smell?

So you are walking down the hall of your potential new living space and suddenly you notice a strange smell permeating your nostrils.  Smells like a drug of some sort.  What might you say to the leasing consultant who is all too ready to get you into an apartment?  "I noticed a strange odor in the hallway.  I believe that someone might be doing something illegal.  How do you handle issues such as this?"  This is a good way to see what kind of management you may or may not be dealing with in the future.  Is he or she going to address the issue, make excuses or pretend like the smell doesn't exist? 

You never want to consider moving into an apartment building that is so big that if someone is smoking weed in 210 A the smell is going to linger for hours on end and just might spread to your suite.  You also don't want to move in a building where management is not going to do or say anything about the odd smells that might just affect your health one day either.

There are other odors in those hallways of that great looking building that everyone wants to move in and while you may really be excited about it, consider what you are willing to put up with.  Could you handle 310 B cooking greens almost daily and what about 410 C who doesn't believe in bathing her dog or cat?

Take a sniff around the next time you tour a property.

Nicholl McGuire