Fall 2011 • Advertising Supplement
The Daily Beacon • Housing Guide
Top 10 Questions 1. 2. 3.
When can I move in? If the move-in date does not work for you, try to negotiate a better time with the landlord/ old tenants.
Is the lease for 9 months or 12 months? If you are not planning on staying over the summer, a 9-month lease may be more your style.
How much are rent and deposit fees, and when is rent for the first month due? These amounts are very important to know. Deposit fees are often due when you sign the lease or shortly after. You will need to know exactly how much you owe when signing the lease and how much you will need for rent before arriving on move-in day.
4. 5.
Is there a grace period after the monthly rental due date? Many apartment complexes let you have until the fifth of the month, but some do not. Make sure you find out when the last day to pay rent is and what the penalty charges are for late rent.
What are the terms for renewing the lease? Am I allowed to move to a new apartment on the property? Some complexes only consider it renewing if you sign the lease for the exact same location. This may affect your receiving the perks that complexes sometimes offer for renewing, such as free parking or reduced rent.
6. 7. 8.
9.
3
to Ask Your Future Landlord
Are pets allowed? If you want a pet, would you need to pay an extra fee every month or is it just a one-time fee? If you do not want a pet, you should decide if living around other pets is OK with you and if the grounds are kept clean.
Are any utilities included in the agreement? If they are not included, you will most likely need to contact KUB and Comcast on your own. If you have roommates, you should decide whose name will be on the account before making the calls.
Can I paint walls or make other decorative changes? Some apartment complexes allow you to paint the walls if you paint them back when you move; others do not. Also, some complexes do not like for you to use nails in the walls because of the holes they leave. While this is probably not a deal-breaker for you, it could make your decorating more difficult.
Is there an office on-site or a 24-hour phone number in case of emergency? This is extremely important. If something happens in the middle of the night, whether it be a maintenance emergency or you getting locked out, you need to know that someone will be able to help you quickly.
is waste removal handled? Is recycling available? 10. How On move-in day, you will undoubtedly have a lot of trash to throw out. You will need to know where the dumpsters are located. Also, when you get settled, you may like to know if you should drop off your recyclables at your complex’s recycling bin or if you will need to make a trip to the recycling center each time.