Apartment shopping can be fun but there are so many different things to think about when making the big decision.
After my first round of apartment shopping after graduating college, I had no idea what I was doing in the process.
We are now in the process of looking for our second apartment and based off the last time, we now know exactly what to ask when on a tour, emailing with the leasing office, or during the move in process.
During the apartment process, have these questions on your phone or written down.
When you are on tours, it is overwhelming and the leasing person is giving a ton of information so make sure you can go through your list.
At the end of the day, this is where you are going to living day in and day out. You want to make sure it is everything you want and need.
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Here are the list of questions you need to ask when Apartment Shopping:
1. What is the Availability of apartments?
This has to be one of the top questions because if the apartment complex does not even have the availability for you to move in when you need, there is no point in looking.
Be specific in which type of unit you want so they know the exact availability.
Usually apartments need a 60-90 day notice if someone is staying or going so that is the timeframe you need to be seriously deciding if you are going to live at an apartment complex.
2. What is the Move in Process?
This question is not usually asked in the beginning because you have not decided (or maybe you have) on a specific apartment complex or unit.
Are there extra fees during move in?
Can you move in only on certain days?
Is there move in assistance? (Never hurts to ask.)
Questions in regards to the actual move in date and process is important to know before signing.
We learning this week that if we push the move in date from the apartment scheduled timeline, our rent would increase. Again, good to know before that day comes and you are blindsided.
Websites we used when Apartment Shopping:
3. What Extra Fees will we receive?
Valet, rent insurance, pest, parking, amenity fees.
This was a learning curve for us when we were looking for an apartment because on top of the base rent there are other small fees the apartment charges.
The fees add up and can make your rent go over budget.
I will emphasize always to ask the question and not assume. Never hurts to ask about waiving fees either. The worst they will say is no.
4. Internet?
Luckily, my husband’s priority is the internet packages and speed when we look at apartments.
We learned that some apartments make you use their internet package or you have to bring in your own service.
This is just a question to bring up so you are aware of a change or nuance that you will encounter when moving to that complex.
5. What Amenities do you offer?
Amenities are very important to use in the apartment search process.
Gym, pool, mail room, community space, printer, parking, office rooms, grills, etc.
Apartments go crazy with amenities and once you have a luxury apartment, you won’t want to go back to the basic.
It is also important to know how to access those amenities on the apartment complex properties. Are there only certain hours to access? How do you access?
6. How does the parking work?
Garage Parking, Street Parking, or first come first serve.
Second part to this question is cost of parking: do you have to pay? do you have to pay if you have more than 1 car (like a significant other)?
Covered parking or assigned parking is *chef’s kiss*! This can all depend on the area that you are looking. City apartments typically have garage parking but a more community styled apartment will have more street styled parking.
Also, is the apartment gated? Safety is a top priority for me so I prefer apartments to have a gate.
7. Are all apartments exactly the same?
When apartment shopping, most of the time you are shown a model unit when touring.
The model 1 bedroom may not be the same as the available units. It may have a different layout, different sizing, or offerings.
8. When is rent due?
I thought I would put this in here because I do ask this question.
Obviously it is due every month but maybe it is set up or broken out differently.
This is just a baseline question.
9. Is there pest control?
Until you see a roach in your apartment, you do not understand the importance of pest control!
We have never had a bug problem and it is because our current apartment routinely sprays.
Most of the time this is a charge on top of the base rent but it is worth it!
10. What are the application fees and processes?
Application fees and processes vary across apartments. Is there a deposit? Do you have to pay per lease person?
Learn all the extra costs up front so you are not overwhelmed when you go to sign the lease.
11. What is in close distance to the apartment?
Location. Location. Location.
We learned that being in the city is fun because we can walk to bars and restraunts. What we also learned is that my commute to the work office was terrible!
Where is the gym? Coffee shop? Work office? Grocery store? Friends/Family?
So, be aware of surroundings and be realistic with yourself. Is 1 night a month for a “bar night” worth the hour commute to work EVERYDAY?
Everyone has different priorities so it is important you know yours before having to commute to everything you do on a daily basis.
12. Is there a maintenance team?
Knock on wood, we have never had any serious issues that required maintenance.
We have had small fixtures that need replacing or looked at and if you don’t have a responsive maintenance team, you could be stuck with a “minor” leak for weeks.
You want to have a reliable maintenance team just in case a house emergency happens.
13. What to do if you have guests?
Whether this is a family, friend, coworker guest…..you want to understand the process.
Parking for guests is probably only the main concern for an apartment complex.
They may also state rules on them using the amenities, like the pool, with you.
14. How does trash work?
I did not know valet trash existed until moving into my first aparment.
My first questions was “where does trash need to be dumped?”, they then preceded to say that they get it 5 days a week……..with a fee.
The issue for me is that we have to pay the fee whether we use the service or not.
Again, another fee that is added onto the base rent that you want to be aware of before signing the lease.
15. What kind of thermostat is installed?
We love our Nest.
Since our first apartment had a Nest Thermostat, we now are looking at apartments and noticing that they do not have that same one.
I am confirming that we have control over the air conditioning in our unit on the tours. The alternative is the apartment setting the air temperature in your apartment for all the buildings (not a fan since we like it cold in our apartment (no pun intended)).
Those are all the Apartment Shopping Questions that you should ask.
As I go into this apartment shopping process, I continue to learn so much! Having this list on my phone has saved me so many follow up calls and emails with leasing consultants.
Bring this list on your phone or on paper so you don’t forget when touring!
Happy Apartment Shopping!
