6 Questions to Ask When Looking at Apartments

This article originally appeared on the Springs "You're Home Blog."

Have you heard the saying, "There is no such thing as a stupid question"? That attitude is particularly true when you are looking at apartments. Moving to a new home is a major commitment of time and money, so you have a right and a responsibility to find out what you get for your hard-earned rent.

Our Springs Apartments leasing team has compiled a number of questions covering several of the more important factors that go into your selection of an apartment. Make a list on your phone or tablet so you have them handy.

1. What is the Decorating Policy?

Renting relieves you of a lot of responsibility, but it also means you need to recognize the limits. Make sure you're clear on what is and isn't allowed in terms of decorating, such as whether pre-approval is required.

2. Can I Have a Pet?

Even if you don't currently have a pet, that could change in the future, especially if you have kids. If it is a pet-friendly community, ask what specific animals are allowed as well as whether there is a deposit and/or monthly fee.

3. What are the Parking Facilities?

Don't assume that convenient parking is a given. Some apartment communities in urban areas have expensive parking charges or even no private parking at all. If there is on-site parking, ask whether permits or fees are required and what happens if your household has more than one vehicle.

4. How are Maintenance Requests Handled?

Management and maintenance personnel come in all kinds of configurations, ranging from on-site teams to an individual manager who doubles as maintenance to absentee management. Be sure you ask about emergency requests. Some communities have a maintenance team that responds only during business hours.

5. How Much Money is Due Upon Signing the Lease? 

Will you have to provide first and last months' rent, a security deposit, a cleaning fee, or all of the above? You don't want to have your move-in delayed because you're short on the proper funds. In addition, some communities will not accept personal checks until you have been a resident for a certain amount of times so you need to obtain money orders or cashier's checks. 

6. Are Any Utilities Included in the Rent?

You don't want to suddenly find yourself with an unexpected bill. Ask which utilities are included in the rent and which ones are your responsibility so you can account for them in your budget.

When you visit our Springs Apartments communities, our on-site management teams are ready to assist you with answers to these and any other questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you!