How to Negotiate an Apartment Lease

Are You Really Ready to Move?

So you have plans to move, but are you really ready?  Consider the following before you start apartment shopping.

1.  What is wrong with where you live?
2.  Has it been inconvenient lately to travel to work and back again?
3.  Is the landlord reliable, polite, and seems to care about the property and residents?
4.  Do you believe you can find a better place to stay for less money?
5.  Is there a neighbor, roommate, or someone or something else putting pressure on you to move?
6.  Would you prefer to stay at least one more year until you can save more money?
7.  Do you have enough money for a security deposit, first month's rent, and movers?

If you can answer most of these questions, and if most of your answers are unfortunately negative, then yes, it is time to move, my friend.  Be sure your finances are in order so that you can make it happen!  Best wishes on a successful move!

Nicholl McGuire, check out more blog entry posts on this site about moving.

Make it Easy for Leasing Staff, Movers...Have Items Ready for Move

Sometimes a leasing consultant or manager may have to conduct a move out inspection while a move is taking place.  It can be difficult to walk through a home or apartment with clutter everywhere.  Then there are the movers who are challenged by the lack of order of boxes, bins and furniture.  Sometimes people will let many small items hang loosely which end up all over the carpeting and floors during a move.  The debris can cause stains and other unsightly markings on flooring.

To make things easier for all parties, arrange items so that visitors are not tripping over your items.  Set up items so that movers can take inventory, if need be.  Below is a good example of a neat walking space in a livingroom of a rental home so that all individuals can walk through. 

Note: the carpet was well taken care of even after the items were moved and no damages were found.  Items were removed from wall areas and there were no issues.

 

When a Tenant Dies

As morbid as it may sound to think about, but leaseholders die everyday.  When an apartment renter's death occurs, the tenancy continues until the lease term ends in many states.  The responsibility then falls on the executor or administrator.  Now if the lease was a month-to-month, the tenancy ends 30 days later after the last rent payment.  A 30 or 60 day notice is not necessary.  Items left in the suite are available to those parties who are listed on the leasing contract.  If the person had no roommates, his or her next of kin who is listed on the emergency contact form will be notified.  It will up to that person to take care of the decease's belongings.  Check your lease and the state where you reside when it comes to tenant rights to learn more.

Nicholl McGuire 

Fequently Asked Questions from Residents: Apartment Maintenance