Moving into your first apartment is an exciting milestone and something you\u2019ve probably been looking forward to for a long time now. Finally, you\u2019ll have a space of your own to decorate however you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n
Although the idea of renting your first apartment is super exciting, finding the perfect place can be stressful and overwhelming if you\u2019re unfamiliar with the process. We want your first rental experience to be as painless as possible, so read on and follow MYMOVE\u2019s simple steps. You\u2019ll be moving into your first apartment stress-free in no time.<\/p>\n
A rental rule of thumb is to never spend more than a third of your paycheck on rent. Before you begin your search, calculate<\/a> what you can afford.<\/p>\n Set a budget and stick to it. It’s important to remember that there are both reoccurring and one-time costs involved.<\/p>\n Your reoccurring costs mainly include rent and utility bills. These costs might also include renter\u2019s insurance<\/a> (should you choose to pay monthly), trash fees, pest control, and pet fees if you plan on bringing a furry friend.<\/p>\n One-time costs include an application fee and a security deposit. You\u2019re likely to get the security deposit back<\/a> depending on the state of your apartment when you move out. These expenses fluctuate depending on the apartment you choose.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also wise to take into account the rest of your budget: How much money you plan to spend monthly on gas, groceries, internet service, and any other miscellaneous items or bills.<\/p>\n Along with these, calculate how much money you spend on lifestyle expenses \u2014 like outings with friends, eating out, and shopping.<\/p>\n Be aware that expenses will vary from one city to another, and one community to another.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve done the calculation above and realize that dream apartment is a little out of your reach, factor in the benefits of looking for a roommate.<\/p>\n We know what you\u2019re thinking: Roommates were something you thought you\u2019d left in the past. But hear us out. You\u2019re renting your first apartment. Money is probably tight. It would be beneficial to have someone to split the bills with, right?<\/p>\n If you find the right apartment, everyone can have their own space, and it\u2019s likely that you might not be there at the same time very often. If you are, you could have your own room to retreat to when you want to be alone.<\/p>\n Plus, you get to choose who you live with. You get to be selective and pick your roommate \u2014 whether that be a friend, cousin, co-worker, or maybe just an acquaintance whose lifestyle is compatible with yours. Before you make any final decisions, ask questions<\/a> to make sure their way of living is compatible with yours.<\/p>\n Aside from the budget, location is the next most important factor in finding the perfect place. It\u2019s nearly impossible to begin your apartment hunt without first knowing where you want to move. Think about what you need and how far you\u2019re willing to travel for it. Be mindful of the commute from the apartment to other destinations like work, school, or the grocery store.<\/p>\n Most importantly, it\u2019s imperative to feel safe where you live. If you\u2019re unfamiliar with the area you want to move to, visit the neighborhood<\/a> and check out the atmosphere. If you\u2019re moving to an area sight unseen<\/a>, check out local neighborhood Facebook pages or social media groups to get a sense of the community.<\/p>\n Based on your location, every apartment community has its own unique amenities. But it\u2019s hard to know exactly what type of amenities exist. Sometimes, the amenities offered can make or break a move-in decision.<\/p>\n Outdoor amenities:<\/strong><\/p>\n Indoor amenities:<\/strong><\/p>\n Some apartments include even more amenities<\/a> worth looking into. It just depends on your preferences.<\/p>\n There are countless websites thrown at you as soon as you search for something on Google. To prevent you from being bombarded with endless links as you look for an apartment, check out our list of best rental websites<\/a> to use during your search.<\/p>\n With most complexes, you must be 18 or older to rent an apartment. There\u2019s usually a $30 to $50 rental application fee, so make sure to have cash or a check on hand.<\/p>\n Like we referenced in the budget step earlier, your monthly rent shouldn\u2019t be more than a third of your take-home paycheck. To ensure that you\u2019ll be able to pay rent, landlords will often ask for proof of income (like bank statements or pay stubs) or proof of employment.<\/p>\n Some landlords may also require a credit score of 620 or higher. Without a good credit score, you may need someone (like a parent or family member) to co-sign your lease. A co-signer (aka a guarantor) is a person who agrees to pay your rent if you\u2019re unable to.<\/p>\n Make sure to have reliable identification to show your prospective landlord. Think driver\u2019s license, passport, or other proof of identity.<\/p>\n Lastly, gather references to have on hand. Not all landlords require references, but some may. Most rentals happen on a first-come, first-serve basis. You don’t want to lose out on your dream rental because you don\u2019t have the proper documents prepared.<\/p>\n This could potentially be your home, so treat the tour like an inspection. Depending on the complex, you can call in or schedule the tour online.<\/p>\n Sometimes your rent may include certain utilities. It really just depends on the complex.<\/p>\n While some places prefer you to pay rent online, others require a money order or cashier\u2019s check to be dropped off at the front office by the due date. Usually, landlords will have you pay in person for the first time, and all remaining payments will be handled online. Most places have a \u201cResidents Portal\u201d on their website specifically for tenants.<\/p>\n Filing a maintenance request will be your first step if something breaks or there\u2019s a leak. For most places, you can submit a maintenance request through an online portal.<\/p>\nStep 2: Consider a roommate<\/b><\/h2>\n
A few advantages of having a roommate<\/b> include:<\/h3>\n
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Step 3: Know your location<\/b><\/h2>\n
Step 4: Make a list of the apartment amenities you want<\/b><\/h2>\n
Make sure to ask your potential landlord about these basic amenities:<\/h3>\n
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Here are a few other perks offered by some apartment complexes:<\/h3>\n
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Step 5: Research local rentals<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Step 6: Gather Your Application Information<\/b><\/h2>\n
Step 7: Schedule apartment tours\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Here is a short checklist of things to look out for:<\/h3>\n
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Make sure to ask these questions on your tour:\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Is there anything included in the rent cost?<\/b><\/h4>\n
How do I pay rent?<\/b><\/h4>\n
How do maintenance requests work?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Is renters insurance required?<\/b><\/h4>\n