It's that time of the year where everyone is moving. The time when many of us students are, or about to be, looking for an apartment. Before you began your hunt let me tell you a cautionary tale.
My roommate and I started the process of looking for an apartment this month like most people: looking through sites like StreetEasy, NoFeeRentals, and RentHop. We set a budget, made a list of must haves, and considered locations. We started out very level headed. But then, my roommate happened upon a place with a private roof and all caution was thrown to the wind. We wanted that place, we had to have it. Sure it wasn't really the nicest, or the best well kept, or really that great....but come on, a roof? We rushed to visit (only the second place we had seen), scrambled together the paperwork, headed to the leasing office, and put down our deposit. It was basically ours and we were ecstatic.
Fast forward to the next day, and we received a call informing us that, by the way, there was no gas in the apartment and there was no set date to have it turned back on. No gas, a.k.a. no stove and no oven, a situation that two avid cooks could not cope with. Long story short, we pulled the plug on the place and all ended well (if a place promises something, such as a full working kitchen, but does not deliver it it can come dangerously close to fraud).
But the whole situation could possible have been avoided if we had asked the right questions in the first place. So, don't be like me. Instead, use this guide to ask all the right questions before anything is official so you can rest easy at night in your fly new pad.
1. Is there a fee?
Generally, the process of finding an apartment includes having a broker or real estate agent show you a slew of units until you find one you like. In New York City, a broker's fee of 15% of the first year's rent is pretty typical, but it is sometimes possible to get around this fee, enabling you to spend your money on the place itself rather than a broker. Different types of leases can mean different fees; some buildings/apartments offer two year leases without a fee but include a fee on one year leases, some include a fee regardless of lease length, and some, if you're lucky, have no fee at all.
2. Are utilities included?
Many apartments in the city include water and heat in the cost of rent while electricity and gas are a separate utilities cost. Some however include no utilities in the cost of rent. Make sure you are aware of what is and isn't included so as not to be surprised by the first month's utility bill.
3. Are all the appliances and utilities in working order?
Don't get duped into putting down money on an apartment with a stove that doesn't work like I did.
4. Are pets allowed?
Though most places allow at least cats (and many people will say you don't even have to tell your landlord if you get a cat in an apartment that doesn't allow them), landlords have many different opinions on whether dogs, specifically large dogs, are allowed. Check with your landlord or agent if you plan to get/already have a pet so you don't have to make a decision between your pad or your furry best friend.
5. Is subletting allowed?
Some property managers allow subletting, some do not. Although plenty of people sublet illegal or unofficially it is definitely worth finding out what your building allows, particularly if you or your roommate plan on study abroad.
6. Is there roof access?
Always, always, always a plus. Who doesn't love galavanting about on a nicely finished, or, as is more likely in Manhattan, totally unfinished roof.
7. Does the landlord keep up the building?
Some landlords put time and energy into keeping the building in nice condition. Some do not. Ask your agent what they know about each building's landlord before you get too attached. Because let's face it, who wants to live in a building where nothing gets fixed, or cleaned, and where no one cares if about the happiness of the tenants.
8. How's the neighborhood?
Any deets you can get about your soon to be hood will help you to make a more informed decision. You may love the unit itself but it's at least worth considering what is surrounding your building. Is it a quiet tree-lined street? A busy avenue? Bars that will keep you up all night? Fun coffee shops perfect for studying in and mooching wifi off of when your internet bill gets too high? If you're going to make your new spot a real home first take a walk around the block and see what's up.
In a city like New York there's a place perfect for everyone; just take your time, asking questions, and know what you're getting yourself into. Apartment hunting is stressful, but before you know it you'll have signed a lease and be kickin it in your brand new pad.
