Ask these important questions before you sign your next apartment rental lease.
When renting for the first time, it can be intimidating to go on tours, fill out rental applications, and handle all the documents involved in signing a lease. A little bit of research ahead of time can ensure that you find the perfect fit for your family, and these six questions to ask before signing a lease for your apartment rental are a great place to start.
How Much Is Rent?
It might seem silly, but asking about the exact cost of your apartment rental is important. Some complexes have multiple units with different prices, and you want to make sure that you know what to expect ahead of time. Additionally, you should ask how often the rent might change.
What Fees Are Involved?
An apartment rental can come with many different fees on top of rent. The most common fees include pet rent, application fees, security deposits, and cleaning fees. Things can get more confusing, as some fees are often refundable when you move out, and others are non-refundable. As with the exact cost of rent, it’s good to get fees cleared up before signing on the dotted line.
How Can I Pay Rent and Fees?
Every landlord and property management company is different, but most offer a broad range of payment methods to be as accommodating as possible. For example, some still accept traditional checks, but others offer convenient online payment portals to pay via debit or credit card.
How Much Will Utilities Cost?
Most apartment complexes require tenants to cover their own utility costs. Still, any apartment rental with experienced employees should be able to give you a rough idea of how much they cost. Cable, electricity, gas, and water can all add up, so budgeting ahead of time is critical.
What Renter’s Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
Renter’s insurance is a way to protect your belongings if there is an accident or disaster in your apartment. It will cover the cost of replacing your things, as the policy that the apartment complex owns only covers the structure itself. Some apartment rental leases have specific coverage amounts required, while others only require you to have an active policy.
How Are Repairs Handled?
Finally, before signing your apartment rental lease, you should ask how repairs and maintenance are taken care of. How can you report problems? Can maintenance enter while you’re at work to take care of things, or are you expected to be present? It’s normal to have a couple of requests for maintenance after moving in, and understanding the process now will make things easier once you move in.
The Apartments of Wildewood have a friendly community that’s waiting to welcome you!
At The Apartments of Wildewood, located in beautiful St. Mary’s Maryland, we offer homes with access to pools, an on-site gym, and maintenance whenever you need it – and have access to all the information you need to affordably rent an apartment in St. Mary’s. To set up an appointment to check out an apartment or townhouse rental from The Apartments of Wildewood, call us at 301.737.0737 or visit the website at www.apartmentsofwildewood.com.