- Nov 20, 1999
- 22,994
- 779
- 126
So i looked up google to see what questions to ask a prospective landlord about a rental property before i sign a lease and i compiled a bunch of questions that i thought were relevant with me... is there something i'm missing?
Apartment Details
? Is this an apartment (top floor)? Multi-family home? Living w/ owner?
? Who are your neighbors? You can't control whether they stay their throughout your tenancy, but it's nice to know whether you're dealing with single grandmas or groups of college students.
? How close is the nearest post office, grocery store, bank, restaurant and public transportation?
? What are the security features like? Are there cameras in the common areas, and if so, how do you feel about that? Have any burglaries or violent crimes have recently occurred on the premises? While some landlords and leasing agents may be loathe to share that information, they should disclose it to you if you ask.
? Don't forget to ask about storage spaces, as many buildings have lockers or rooms including in the price of the rent or available for a surcharge.
? When will the unit be available for occupation? If it's ready to occupy and it's impractical for you to move in immediately, you may have to negotiate with the landlord so that you don't pay for unoccupied time.
? Street Parking? Parking lot? Parking space?
? Noise pollution?
Lease terms
? How long is the lease? How much per month?
? When the lease is up, will it automatically convert to a month-to-month agreement, or will you be obligated to sign a new lease? How much notice is required?
? How much is the rent payable and when is it due every month? How much is the security deposit and is it fully refundable?
? Is there a penalty fee for late payment of the rent?
? What are the conditions if you have to move out before the lease expires? I.E. What are the lease breaking fees? How much notice should i give when leaving the apt during the lease?
? Ask about the last time the rent on the apartment was raised. If it's been, say, two years and you're about to sign a short lease ( i.e. six months), there's a darn good chance your rent will climb a notch come lease renewal time. While you aren't in control of rent increases when they do happen, you can try to foresee them.
Utilities
? Are any utilities included in your agreement? What are typical bill amounts in different seasons?
? How big is the hot water heater and is the hot water heater shared with any other apartments?
? Who is the internet service provider?
? If there isn't an in-unit washer and dryer, where is the laundry and what is the cost?
? Who will be responsible for property maintenance?
? What will the apartment be like during other seasons? If you look at a place during warm and sunny July, you may not be thinking about cold and snowy January ? and vice versa. If looking in the winter, think about how hot the place might get during July and whether you'll need an air conditioner. Or consider, if you're on a popular street, whether people will be loudly congregating below your apartment when the weather's nice. Likewise, if looking during the summer, check out the insulation on the windows, ask about the consistency of the hot water, and see how restrictive the snow parking regulations are (if you plan to park a car on the street).
Restrictions
? Am I allowed to hang pictures with nails?
? Am I allowed to have overnight guests?
? Are there any noise level restrictions?
? Are you allowed to sublet the apartment?
To investigate on your own (DO NOT ASK LAND LORD!)
? How many civic complaints have been filed against the landlord or the rental company? Are the taxes on the building current?
Apartment Details
? Is this an apartment (top floor)? Multi-family home? Living w/ owner?
? Who are your neighbors? You can't control whether they stay their throughout your tenancy, but it's nice to know whether you're dealing with single grandmas or groups of college students.
? How close is the nearest post office, grocery store, bank, restaurant and public transportation?
? What are the security features like? Are there cameras in the common areas, and if so, how do you feel about that? Have any burglaries or violent crimes have recently occurred on the premises? While some landlords and leasing agents may be loathe to share that information, they should disclose it to you if you ask.
? Don't forget to ask about storage spaces, as many buildings have lockers or rooms including in the price of the rent or available for a surcharge.
? When will the unit be available for occupation? If it's ready to occupy and it's impractical for you to move in immediately, you may have to negotiate with the landlord so that you don't pay for unoccupied time.
? Street Parking? Parking lot? Parking space?
? Noise pollution?
Lease terms
? How long is the lease? How much per month?
? When the lease is up, will it automatically convert to a month-to-month agreement, or will you be obligated to sign a new lease? How much notice is required?
? How much is the rent payable and when is it due every month? How much is the security deposit and is it fully refundable?
? Is there a penalty fee for late payment of the rent?
? What are the conditions if you have to move out before the lease expires? I.E. What are the lease breaking fees? How much notice should i give when leaving the apt during the lease?
? Ask about the last time the rent on the apartment was raised. If it's been, say, two years and you're about to sign a short lease ( i.e. six months), there's a darn good chance your rent will climb a notch come lease renewal time. While you aren't in control of rent increases when they do happen, you can try to foresee them.
Utilities
? Are any utilities included in your agreement? What are typical bill amounts in different seasons?
? How big is the hot water heater and is the hot water heater shared with any other apartments?
? Who is the internet service provider?
? If there isn't an in-unit washer and dryer, where is the laundry and what is the cost?
? Who will be responsible for property maintenance?
? What will the apartment be like during other seasons? If you look at a place during warm and sunny July, you may not be thinking about cold and snowy January ? and vice versa. If looking in the winter, think about how hot the place might get during July and whether you'll need an air conditioner. Or consider, if you're on a popular street, whether people will be loudly congregating below your apartment when the weather's nice. Likewise, if looking during the summer, check out the insulation on the windows, ask about the consistency of the hot water, and see how restrictive the snow parking regulations are (if you plan to park a car on the street).
Restrictions
? Am I allowed to hang pictures with nails?
? Am I allowed to have overnight guests?
? Are there any noise level restrictions?
? Are you allowed to sublet the apartment?
To investigate on your own (DO NOT ASK LAND LORD!)
? How many civic complaints have been filed against the landlord or the rental company? Are the taxes on the building current?
Facebook
Twitter