Apartment Lease Questions to Ask Before You Commit

Finally done finding an apartment that’s right for you? Well, hold on before you sign the lease. There are some apartment lease questions you need to ask before you can be absolutely sure that this apartment is right for you.

Even if an apartment meets all of your requirements — number of bedrooms, square footage, amenities, etc. — it’s still possible that your living situation can be made less than perfect because you forgot to ask important apartment lease questions before you signed.

Often leases, whether renting loft apartments, college apartments, or high rise apartments, will require at least a one-year commitment. Before committing to living in an apartment complex, definitely ask these apartment lease questions and get the answers in writing. You may have heard horror stories of apartment residents being promised many things, and realizing they were misinformed once they sign the lease.

Don’t forget to check your apartment lease exits. Although you think you’ll be around for months, you may need to move somewhere else, or maybe you’ll get an opportunity to buy a home. If you don’t discuss how to get out of your apartment lease, you may be out of luck.

Some of the answers to these apartment lease questions will be in black and white on the lease, but you may need a helping hand to point out where those answers are in all the legal jargon. If the answers to your apartment lease questions aren’t clear or documented, you may want to request them in writing. Be fully prepared by asking the following questions.

Apartment Lease Questions

• How long is the lease? Start date? End date?
• What time can I pick up my keys on the first day of the lease?
• When is rent due?
• What forms of payment do you accept for rent?
• How much are late fees, and when are they applied?
• How quickly will maintenance requests be handled?
• What is the proper way to make a maintenance request?
• Is it possible to break the lease?
• What is the cost of breaking the lease?
• What is the deposit?
• How much of the deposit is refundable?
• Is there an application fee?
• What is the policy on guests?
• Does this apartment take pets?
• Iis there a parking permit required? Are there covered or reserved spaces?
• What are the pool hours?
• What utilities are included in the rent?
• Are there hook-ups for washers and dryers in the apartments? If not, is there a laundry facility? How much does it cost? When is it open?
• Is there a gym? What are the hours? Does it cost extra to use?
• May I sublease my apartment?
• Are there any limitations on decorating the apartment?
• About the water heater: Is it shared between apartments? How large is it?
• Is renters insurance required?
• Is there an emergency maintenance contact?

These are some great examples of what apartment lease questions to ask before you sign the lease. In looking over them, you may even have realized that a few of them didn’t occur to you to ask. Or perhaps you’ve thought of other apartment lease questions to ask that haven’t occurred to us, or that are specific to your personal circumstances. Don’t be shy - now is the time to ask your apartment lease questions, because now is when your apartment complex is eager to make you happy! And don’t forget to look into apartment ratings and renters insurance, too.

Some apartment lease questions are easy to forget to ask, but you’ll be very glad you did if a problem arises. Never be shy about asking apartment lease questions and getting answers when you’re speaking with an apartment manager or representative. And if an answer they give you bothers you, speak up — sometimes they might be willing to accommodate your requests or meet you halfway. Regardless, it is essential to ask apartment lease questions before you commit to living somewhere.

Smoke-free apartments are a priority for many people on the hunt for a new place to call home. There can be many reasons for wanting a smoke-free apartment, including the fact that a smoke-free apartment building is less likely to catch on fire. Plus, many people looking for smoke-free apartments are doing so to avoid second-hand smoke, which can cause harm and discomfort, especially to those who are more sensitive to the smell of cigarette smoke.

Smoke-Free Apartments: How to Find One

Finding smoke-free apartments can take a bit more time than not having a preference, but it’s an important step to take if living in a smoke-free environment is important to you. There are a few things to consider during your search:

• Has the apartment complex completely banned smoking, or do they have certain units designated as smoke-free apartments?
• If the place has rules about smoking, do the rules cover the entire complex, or just certain areas? Are common areas like the laundry room or fitness center also smoke-free?
• If it’s a smoke-free apartment complex, how does the management treat those who break the rules? Are there fines? How seriously are complaints taken?
• How does the management handle cleaning apartments once tenants move out?
• Are nearby apartments also smoke-free, or will your smoke-free apartment be the only one designated that way?

In addition to asking these questions while on-site, you can also call ahead to the management offices ahead of time to ask about their policies on smoke-free apartments.

Smoke-Free Apartments: What To Do When Neighbors’ Smoke Creeps In

One problem in smoke-free apartments is that smoke can creep in through vents, windows or doors from neighbors who are smoking. This is why it might be a good idea to ask the apartment management about policies, such as whether the units surrounding the smoke-free apartments have the same designation. Definitely discuss this with the apartment management before you make a decision about living there.

Some ways to help curb the smoke problem might be to make sure there are no gaps in the doors or cracks in walls or windows. Even electrical outlets can allow smoke to come in, so check to make sure they are properly insulated. Patching cracks and holes in walls and installing door sweeps may also help. If the problem is still bad, you may consider changing your air filter or speaking to your apartment management office about the problem with your smoke-free apartment.

Finding an apartment takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. A little planning and forethought in finding your apartment will go a long way. Don’t rush when you’re searching for an apartment - the decision you make can affect your quality of life for months and, more likely, years…! So use ApartmentSearch.com to pick an apartment wisely and enjoy the fruits of your labor for a long time.

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!