A rental lease is a legal contract between tenant and landlord. As you know, each rental lease has a specific duration – and many of them terminate at the end of a month or the end of the year.

In other words, your rental lease might be terminating now – whether you are an apartment manager or you rent an apartment! Do you know how that affects you?

A Rental Lease Should Have Instructions

Almost all rental leases have specific instructions about what happens after the lease term expires. Generally, a rental lease becomes a month-to-month lease after it expires. This means that the existing legal agreement between renter and landlord will continue until either party decides to terminate it.

The Pros and Cons of a New Rental Lease

If you’re an apartment renter, a month-to-month lease is fine if you aren’t concerned about a long-term stay at your current apartment. For example, if you’re hoping to be getting into grad school and moving to a new apartment, or if you will be relocating to a new job soon, you probably want to let your rental lease expire without shaking things up.

If you’re an apartment manager, the same conditions apply from the other perspective. A month-to-month lease gives you flexibility if you’re not concerned about refilling the apartment and don’t want to pressure a good renter to leave.

However, if you’re ready to commit to another lease term, we recommend setting up a new rental lease. A new rental lease gives apartment managers one opportunity to raise the rent or rental deposit, but it also means that they can’t raise the rent during the lease or give renters 30 days notice to move out and make way for someone else.

A new rental lease fixes the rent at one price for the entire lease term. Sometimes it’s worth setting up a new rental lease – and risking the chance that the rent might be raised or that the renter might vacate – so that you can have a stable apartment rental situation at a stable rent.

Read That Rental Lease

Of course, it always helps to know exactly what your rental lease says. Your lease could be very different. If your rental lease is terminating, don’t be in the dark about where you stand legally.

Many renters have stayed happily for years in their apartment on a month-to-month rental lease that has terminated long ago. If you have a good relationship with your landlord or apartment manager, you might be willing to risk living in such a situation in hopes that your rent doesn’t change. The same goes for apartment managers who’ve enjoyed long-standing informal rental arrangements.

We at ApartmentSearch.com recommend that you get a new rental lease anytime you’re sure you’ll be around for three months or more. No one likes to be forced to find an apartment and move out with 30 days notice – or to scramble for new tenants on the same time frame. Plan ahead, and you won’t have to hustle for a new apartment arrangement in the middle of winter! And of course, if you do need a new apartment or help filling a vacancy, we’re happy to help!

Apartment Rentals Increasing

Apartment rentals are on the rise, which may seem a little odd during a slow economy. If you really think about it, the increase in apartment rentals actually makes perfect sense. With all the foreclosures on homes because of the slow economy, you have to wonder where all the people who lived in those houses are going. Simple – they are renting apartments.

Apartment Renters Are Staying Put

According to an article in BusinessWeek magazine, fewer people are moving out of apartments to buy homes. In fact, the rate of people moving out of apartments to buy homes is around 14 percent compared to 20 percent last year. There is also the fact that lending standards have gotten stricter, making it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage.

Apartment Rentals Make Sense in Slow Economy

The article also mentions that renting an apartment makes more sense to a lot of people during uncertain financial times. To some it is a much safer feeling to be locked into an apartment lease instead of being locked into a mortgage. The parts of the country where there is an increase in apartment rentals directly corresponds to the parts of the country where the job market is going strong. Areas that have seen a decrease include Florida, California, Arizona, Nevada and New Jersey, according to the article. Areas that have seen an increase in apartment rentals include Tacoma, Seattle, San Francisco and Oklahoma City.

Apartment Rentals: Searching Made Easy

Apartment rentals being on the rise means that the vacancy rate across the nation is going to be lower. It also means that finding apartments that are available is going to get more and more difficult without some assistance. ApartmentSearch.com is a valuable tool for people who are trying to find an apartment to rent. Our search function makes it easy for the apartment hunter to visit virtually any complex and apartment management office without ever leaving their home.

Apartments in Austin are being built at a record pace, according to apartment industry research firm M/P/F YieldStar. Currently, 12,810 Austin apartments are slated to be built through the end of 2009; that is the third-largest new supply in the country.

Apartments in Austin: An Apartment Renter’s Paradise

M/P/F reports that apartment renters in Austin have the pick of the litter right now, with occupancy rates in the Texas capital city down somewhat (1.8 points) from the same time last year. That means that Austin renters and new arrivals who are seeking apartments for rent face less competition than usual in this popular city.

Apartments in Austin: Great Deals in the Future

Fortunately for Austin-area apartment seekers, an abundance of apartments in Austin equals rent discounts, apartment rewards and other renting incentives. We expect apartment managers and landlords will be busy as we enter Austin’s prime apartment leasing season.

New Apartments in Austin

At the same time, the builders of the newest complexes in Austin are seeing their apartments leased out for much higher rents than normal. These apartment complexes, which see rents starting at about $1,300 and going up to almost $13,000 a month, are located mostly in the downtown area as well as the trendy Domain area of Austin.

Finding Apartments in Austin

If you are in the process of finding an apartment in Austin and you want to know where you can find the trendy new apartments mentioned above or the apartments with the best rental deals – or just an apartment that has the amenities you desire – than come to ApartmentSearch.com and let us help you find your perfect new home.

There are many reasons why you might need to sublet your apartment. You could have gotten a better job, but it requires your relocation to a different city. Maybe you lost your job and you can no longer afford your apartment. Maybe you and your significant other have decided to make it official and get married, but his/her place is so much better than yours. Or maybe, just maybe you have decided to run away from it all and move to the Caribbean. Whatever your reason, your lease isn’t up and you need to move out.

Subletting Your Apartment: Step One

The first step in subletting your apartment is to find out if you are allowed to sublet your apartment. The best thing to do is to ask your apartment manager directly about subletting your apartment. If you’re considering subletting your apartment, it pays to be upfront about it. Many apartment landlords or leasing agents will allow you to sublet if they approve the potential subletter, often through the same process they used when you applied for your original lease.

Subletting Your Apartment: Step Two

Now that you have permission to sublet your apartment, finding your subletter should be your next step. There are several ways to go about this process.

1. Ask you friends if they know anyone in the apartment search process.
2. Ask your apartment leasing agent if they have people on a wait-list that might be interested in taking over your lease.
3. Advertise in newspapers and on-line.

Subletting Your Apartment: Step Three

You have found your subletter, now you need to make sure all the proper paperwork is handled. Go with them to your apartment leasing office and have them fill out the paperwork that is required by your landlord. It is also a good idea to have an agreement drawn up between yourself and the subletter to protect yourself if the subletter doesn’t pay rent or moves out of the apartment and is never heard of again. Remember that your name is still on the lease and you are still legally responsible for the lease.

Subletting Your Apartment: Final Step

Everything is worked out, your subletter is found and approved, and you are moving out. Just make sure that you have a new place all lined up. If you need assistance, you can always visit ApartmentSearch.com and make sure that you mention that you found your apartment here when applying for it so you can claim your apartment reward.

Any police officer will tell you that they most frequently get called to apartment complexes about domestic disputes and burglaries. They’ll also tell you that there are a number of things you can look for before you even move into an apartment home to ensure your safety. Choosing a secure apartment can make a big difference in the quality of rest you get at night – and the enjoyment you derive from being at home.

Pay Attention to the Application Process

Did it take an hour or two to complete your rental application? Did they check your references? That’s a good sign, however painful it might have been. Thorough screenings are important if you’re serious about choosing a secure apartment. How well they screen you will be how well they screen your neighbors.

Go with an Upper Floor

While it’s a pain to lug furniture, groceries, and other stuff into the elevator or up and down the stairs, if choosing a secure apartment is your priority, go with an upper floor. Breaking into a first floor apartment sure looks easier to a thief. If it’s in your budget, take a look at high-rise apartments.

Examine the Outside Areas

Take a look at any gates and fences. Are there any? If so, are they just for looks, or are you actually getting some security for your money? A lot of apartment complexes have a big, fancy looking gate and fence at the front, and then nothing at the back, or something so short a snake could jump it. If there’s a keypad entry system, try to go in one day without buzzing in. Try driving through the gate behind another car and see how easy it is. If there’s a security guard, try and talk your way in after the office is closed. Tell him/her that you just want to take a look around the place, and see how easily you can talk your way in.

Trace the steps you’ll frequently take from where you’ll park your car to your apartment, or other frequent areas, such as your mailbox, the laundry or gym area. How well-lit are they?

Examine the Apartment

Take a careful look at the doors and windows. How thick and sturdy are the doors? How easy is it to open a window from the outside? Does the door have a peephole so you can see who’s there before you open it?

Talk to Current Residents

Current residents will know and will probably tell you if there have been a lot of problems. Try to drive around one night after dark and see if there are residents walking around the buildings. If they feel secure, chances are you will too.

Talk to the Management

Find out if the office will check on your apartment or collect your mail for you during an extended absence. Ask them if the locks were changed since the last renter, and if you’re not satisfied, ask to see the receipt for the locksmith. Ask who has access to your apartment and what the policies are for letting employees have a master key.

Talk to the Local Police About Choosing a Secure Apartment

Most police officers are happy to help you before you have to call 911. They may or may not have statistics on the crime rate at a particular apartment complex.

While we can’t assure you that nothing will ever happen in your apartment renting experience, we hope these tips will help ensure that you’re successful in choosing a more secure apartment.

ApartmentSearch by CORT does not guarantee security or safety at any property. For local crime statistics and information, please contact you local law enforcement agency.

Finding an Apartment That Fits You

Before you go browsing, your first step in finding that apartment is to narrow your hunt. Finding an apartment becomes a lot easier when you focus the search by size, lease length, location, features, and rent. It doesn’t make sense to spend time looking at listings and visiting apartments, only to find that your furniture doesn’t fit or that you can’t live without a tub.

Finding an Apartment by Size

Finding an apartment isn’t easy for packrats who have trouble judging volume. If you’re not sure how much stuff you have, and you’re afraid of a space crunch, take an approximate measure of the filled areas in your closets and storage spaces. You can even measure in feet instead of inches – just round up and get a rough idea of how much storage you’ll need in your new apartment.

It’s also a good idea to measure your biggest pieces of furniture – bureaus, wardrobes, beds, sofas, desks – to help you in finding an apartment that fits your needs. You might find it helpful to have these measurements with you when you visit apartments. Some landlords will be able to give you the dimensions of rooms before you visit. This information will come in handy when decorating your apartment, too.

Lastly, it’s critical to know how many bedrooms and living areas you’ll need. If you need a study for your home business, a bedroom for a roommate, or an extra living area for your book club meetings, you’ll want to be searching for the right kind of space. When finding an apartment, too, you should know that single-occupant apartments are generally the priciest. Privacy comes at a premium, partly because a single occupant has to carry the overhead for all the facilities (plumbing, electrical, appliances) that would be shared by multiple occupants.

Finding an Apartment by Lease Length

The lease length is another critical limitation when finding an apartment. How long do you intend to stay? A lease is binding on both you and the landlord, and it usually sets the rent at a fixed rate, too.

Unfortunately, a lot of listings don’t specify the length of the lease, so keep that in mind. Don’t waste time on visiting an apartment that you may find to be on a limiting lease. Call first, and ask about the lease before you schedule a visit.

Finding an Apartment by Location

Location is just as important when finding an apartment as it is with any other kind of real estate situation. You want to be close to your frequent destinations – work, friends, errands, recreation. When you’re talking about quality of life, you’ll often find that an unremarkable place close to work is a much better situation than a gorgeous apartment far from friends and office. Don’t be wowed by superficial elements when you sign that lease. Know the area, know your frequent routes, and be logical. If safety is a concern when finding your apartment, make sure to visit the apartment on a Friday or Saturday evening to see what the nightlife is like.

Finding an Apartment by Features

Everyone has lifestyle needs that can’t be negotiated. Maybe you have a huge collection of ventriloquist dolls that must be kept in climate-controlled environments. Maybe you have four miniature poodles. Maybe you want a spot in some smoke-free apartments or you’re interested in renting loft apartments. Whatever it is, it affects you when you’re finding an apartment.

Beyond your feature needs, you probably have a list of feature wants – desired features that can affect your decision. When finding an apartment, keep your favorite features in mind and don’t forget to ask about them if they’re not immediately obvious. Common features include pools, tennis courts, clubhouses, storage spaces, and cable TV.

Finding an Apartment by Rent

Of course, when finding an apartment, the bottom line is always important. A good place will always cost you some money, but with a little preparation and planning, finding a good, economical apartment should be more of a pleasure than a burden. You may also find the ApartmentSearch moving checklist helpful. And of course, don’t forget to claim your $200 reward for finding an apartment on ApartmentSearch.com!

Good luck!

New apartment projects on the horizon include a Hanover uptown high-rise apartment complex at 1900 Mckinney with 230 apartments in 26 stories. Houston-based Hanover Co. has two apartment towers under construction in Uptown, totaling 500 new apartment units. Part of a larger mixed-use development, PM Realty Group is building apartments in Dallas across the highway from NorthPark Center mall. The Park Lane apartment rental complex will have 325 apartments in three buildings. The apartment development includes a four-story building plus two high-rise apartment sections, reaching 20 stories.

Wood Partners has been preparing its Dallas apartment development plans for two years. This will culminate in new apartment projects in Uptown, Las Colinas and Frisco. The Wood Partners project in Uptown will be a 375 unit apartment building near the Crescent, and their next planned apartment complex will be directly west of the Victory complex on Stemmons Freeway. Wood partners is about to begin building on the first apartment building in the Trinity Design District. Called Block 1500, this apartment building will be an edgier design than the other apartment projects, with modern masonry and metal exteriors with curved and slanted roofs. Wood partners has also already began construction on the Las Colinas apartments, Alta Lake Shore Lofts at 800 Lake Carolyn Parkway in Las Colinas. The Alta Lake Shore Lofts will house 341 apartments. Wood Partners will begin the Frisco apartment community in January near Eldorado Parkway and the Dallas North Tollway. Their Frisco apartments will have 340 units for rent.

Apartment builder Trammell Crow Residential currently has one large apartment project under construction in East Dallas and is working on apartment buildings in McKinney and Uptown Dallas.

High-rise apartments in Dallas aren’t a fad. As once-cheap Texas land becomes more and more expensive, expect to see more and more high-rise apartment complexes ascending to the heavens, altering the skyline and making shorter commutes and urban living available to residents.