advice on renting an apt..

[Nomilynn]

As some of you know, I'm moving at the end of September. I've never had to look for an apartment rental before, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what questions I should ask? So far I know I want to ask about parking, what the rent includes (ie what utilities), the pet policy and what kind of insurance I'll have to have (this would depend on if it's an apt or like a basement suite, right??).

If anyone can give me a list of "have-to-knows" that would be super helpful. Thanks!

[slick]

Whenever I looked for a place I would always:

- check out the bus routes
(this, in case my car breaks down)
- check out the neighbours
(don't want to be beside any party-goers
- talk to the neighbours
(I did this before my first buy, although it doesn't really matter if you are buying or renting)
- what storage area do you have and where is it located?
(I looked at a place once and the storage locker was upstairs 3 flights with no elevator)
- what is the policy on things like BBQ, windchimes, etc.
- to whom do you pay the rent? Some landlords live overseas and just have a Mangement company collect the cash for them. I've found that this is not such a good thing because they just don't care about repairs, etc.

The best rental place I've ever had was in New West and I rented directly from the owner who lived in Courtenay. Her Mom and Dad live here and he did all the repairs. All I had to do was call him and he was right over. In addition, I only had 2 rent increases in 7 yrs. and that was only because the maintenance fees went up.

- ask about the policy for rent increases too.
- I always look at the outside of the building as well. A building with well-kept grounds and well-maintened exterior speak volumes.
- look at the surrounding neighbourhood as well. My first buy was in a rundown part of New West and the dumpster divers and druggies were all over the place.

Sorry, this is kind of long. I'm sure you will get some really good advice from others. Please let me know if I can help you in any way. I'm catsitting and working during that time but count me in for weekends.

[dukedogsmom]

Another thing I would do is call the local law enforcement and see if they can advise what kind/how many calls they have in the area. I know our records department does that. That way, you can make sure you're not moving into a bad area that will have lots of burglaries, etc.

[kingrattus]

Slick dumpster divers
------------

Hey its funny to watch them pile all kinds of trash onto a bile & try to balance it all & end up crashing. It can be a hoot at times. Like when they digging & scream cause a rat is challenging them for the trash can.

Sorry but to me its kinda exciting to watch. I came from a super poor town & never had dumpster divers. I don't at the house I'm staying at, but I go downtown to a friends house & thats all I see there. I'll watch people doing all kinds of stuff for hours on end. Mind u his apt. is run down, filled with druggies, BUT its cheap & the french bus' are a 2 min walk away (the french side of town have bus's every 2-5 mins ALL day EVERY day. & our poor english side (still the same city) has buss's from 15-1hr, only during the week & the bus MIGHT show up on a weekend.

[Kfamr]

Check out the toilettes! LOL.. my sister's toilette at her apartment is always messing up.

[slick]

Originally posted by Kfamr
Check out the toilettes! LOL.. my sister's toilette at her apartment is always messing up.

Oh yea, I forgot about that.

- actually flush the toilet when you are there.
- also run the kitchen and bathroom taps as well as the bathtub to see how much water pressure you've got. Turn it on to full hot and see how long it takes to warm up.

[Nomilynn]

Vickie - will you just come with me??? This is all so overwhelming.. I don't even know where or when to start. Is it too early to start looking for a place for October 1st?

[dukedogsmom]

Print this out in text only and that way you won't even have to write it down.

[Nomilynn]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
Print this out in text only and that way you won't even have to write it down.

Hey thanks for that tip I will do that

[slick]

Originally posted by Nomilynn
Vickie - will you just come with me??? This is all so overwhelming.. I don't even know where or when to start. Is it too early to start looking for a place for October 1st?

Sure, I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. Since renters need to give 30 days notice to move out you can start looking first week of September (whoa, that's next week already). Give yourself lots of time. When you walk into a place, you will know if it feels right for you. Also keep in mind that good apts go FAST on the mainland.

PM me and let me know when you will be over to look. Keep in mind that weekdays are not good for me, sorry about that, but work always seem to interfere with my social life.


Just remember another thing to ask:
- will they charge and extra deposit for Nutmeg and Tilly?

Most apartments will not even accept pets and some will charge renters an extra, say $100, damage deposit to have pets with them.

[Nomilynn]

Thanks Slick

I won't be available on weekdays either, but I have weekends off from work this month specifically to do apt hunting.

UGH it's STRESSFUL!!!

[Kfamr]

What about maintenance? I remember my sister (Or was it Kenny and Lauren?) waiting FOREVER to get repairs done by the mainenance crew.
So maybe asking neighbors and such about how long it takes to get repairs looked at.

[Tonya]

The laundry situation.

Our laundry mat was downstairs and a way away. You'd haul all your laundry over just to find out it was over crowded and no washing machines were available.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Kfamr
Check out the toilettes! LOL.. my sister's toilette at her apartment is always messing up.

LOL! That's the FIRST thing I did when we had the walk-thru for our house before purchasing it. Had to make sure the toilets worked well.

Also, be sure to talk to the neighbors. It gives you a good idea on how the neighborhood and the people living there are. That is VERY important. You don't want to end up with bad neighbors.

[Miss Meow]

Also, drive past any places you like during different times of day and night to make sure you're not moving near a busy intersection, crack dealer, flight path, home prostitute etc

Knock on a neighbour's door and ask if there's been any recent trouble in the complex/area.

And in Canada, check the heating so you don't turn into a snow-woman in winter!