Questions to Ask when Renting an Apartment

• When you have complete your obligations of your lease contract your time at the current apartment community is coming to an end, will the lease automatically convert to a month-to-month agreement, or will you be obligated to sign again? Furthermore, what are the required number of days in advance you have to notify the apartment of vacating? These days, many complexes require 60 days and this can really bite you in the butt if you are not in the know regarding this clause of your contract.
• Are you allowed to sublet? Some property management companies and real estate investment trusts do not allow this and it is important to know in case something comes up and you need to move.
• Seasons change, does your apartment? In a nutshell, if you are in the market for new apartment and searching during the summer when it's sunny and beautiful outside, are you going to be head deep in snow when the winter season arrives? This leads to the next question.
• How much does water, electricity, and cable cost on this apartment? It's in your best interest to know this very well as it can alter you livelihood.
• The leasing agents, management and other employees of the community are not allowed to disclose the residents personal information so it's hard to find out who lives at the apartment. Try to ask anyways though. Ask about things like: What type of tenants live here? You need to do a little investigating on your own. Return to the property and drive around the premises on a weekend if needed. Any renter wants to know if they are going to be living next to a bunch of single college kids or a crew of single grandmothers.
• Ask about their pet policy. What's are the rules regarding weight and breed of dogs, cats and other pets?
• Does this community increase rental rates? When Bethany is telling you what a great deal you can get on the apartment versus the market rate do not forget they will try to get you back to market rent when you renew your lease contract.
   
• How's crime in the area as well as the apartment complex? Have any violent crimes are care break-ins occurred on the premises? Most apartment residences try to avoid this tough one as it makes them look worse then they really are considering crime happens no matter where one lives.
• Can you paint the walls? If so, do you all charge residents to do this and other modifications?
• What happens if I need to get out of my lease early? Is it costly? What if I find another person to take over my contract?