It is a good idea to take a day or two to consider your choices before signing a lease. Once you have identified an apartment you like, ask for a copy of the lease, take it home with you, and read it. Understand what you are signing, and if you are not sure, use a highlighter and ask your potential landlord for an explanation of highlighted sections.
Make sure you ask what utilities are included in the rent (e.g., electricity, gas, parking, cable, Internet). If utilities aren’t included, you will need to determine how much the additional costs will be. Add these extra costs to the rental amount. Make sure you are still within your budget.
If you are responsible for paying for your own utilities, call the providers and ask about security deposits. Frequently, providers of utilities will require you to pay a security deposit before they give you an account. Each of these may be several hundreds of dollars. Note that payment is required before service is connected. Before saying yes to an apartment where you are responsible for your utilities, it is a good idea to ask the utility providers for a letter of preapproval.
You should do a walk-through with the landlord. If there is any damage to the place, it should be noted by both the landlord and you — preferably in an inspection report (meaning written down) and signed by both you and the landlord at the end of the walk-through. It may also be a good idea to take pictures of any damages to the rental property before you move in, so when you move out, you can prove you did not contribute to the previously documented damages (this should also be done with the landlord present). Ask the landlord if, prior to you moving in, the apartment will be painted, carpets cleaned, and appliances cleaned and inspected. Some landlords do all of the preceding, some do none. You may be able to negotiate some or all of these.
Sometimes it is possible to negotiate the rent. Do not be shy; if you ask politely and you clearly state your other options, you may find you are able to reduce the rent from the original asking price. This is where your research pays off because you now know what the comparable choices are. Early in the conversation, let your landlord know you are on a budget. Then try this question, “Is this your best price for this apartment? I am comparing several, and it would help me to make a decision if I know your best price.”
When you have found the place you want, you will be asked to sign a lease. Most leases have a one-year term. This can usually be renewed annually. Note that rents do increase over time. As you sign the lease your landlord will request a two-month deposit. Half will be applied to your first month’s rent. The balance will be held as either the last month’s rent or a security deposit. This will be returned at the end of the lease after the landlord has inspected the property to ensure there are no damages. Assuming you completed an inspection report with your landlord prior to signing a lease, you can then verify that the condition of the apartment did not suffer while you were a tenant.
Congratulations! You are now a fully self-reliant adult. You have completed a strategic methodology to achieving your educational, career, and first apartment goals. Take a few minutes and thank those who helped you through your student days. Thank your parents for their love and support as you start your new life in your new home. Better yet, invite them over for a nice dinner!
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