When I Moved into My Apartment, This was the Last Thing I Expected to Happen….
Renting an apartment can be met with many surprises whether you are a seasoned or a first-time renter! My goal is to share my story and to help you avoid the costly and downright frustrating events when you find a place to rent.
So the time came to leave the nest and find a spot of my own. I was out of college and landed my first real job. The pay was fair and after a few months of saving, I decided to look for an apartment.
I grabbed my notebook and started my search for an apartment to rent. This included listings that I knew I could afford every month. I found what looked like a one-bedroom studio apartment to rent. It had large windows, was close to town, and while it wasn’t brand new, all I could think about was covering the rent.
Applying for the Apartment to Rent
I applied for the apartment to rent and in 48 hours my new landlord was calling me to offer a lease. In no time I was there! I received a breakdown of the rent and a summary of the lease, signed the agreement, and was on my way to moving out!
The Costs Started Accumulating
I was aware of a security deposit but not at a whole month’s rent in advance plus having to pay the actual first month of rent. Then there were utilities. This apartment looked nice but the rent seemed affordable because it didn’t include utilities! So that was another added cost I hadn’t accounted for! Then I had to pay a moving company while adding some furniture for my new space. Let’s just say that financially I was running on empty at this point and I had just moved in!
The Maintenance
When you rent an apartment there is a maintenance team to manage your air conditioner and ensure your plumbing works the way it should but this doesn’t mean that you can’t maintain the apartment yourself. After all, if a plumbing leak or emergency happens in your apartment, you could be footing the bill!
My mistake was pouring grease down the kitchen sink. In no time I was dealing with a clog that the plumbing team could only repair a week after it was reported. Because I played a role in the clog, I had to cover the cost of the repair!
Moral of the Story
At the end of the day, you need to do some work when renting an apartment. When you know what to look for, you also know how to avoid the possible issues that could leave you out of pocket.
Read your lease thoroughly before you sign it and learn of things like a rental deposit, security deposit, and utilities.
Maintain your apartment so you can get your security deposit back at the end of the lease and avoid unnecessary problems (much like my plumbing issue).
Consider renter insurance to protect your valuables should a flood, fire, or other unforeseen events occur. Insurance can provide compensation should your belongings get damaged or be destroyed by a disaster.
Check your apartment prior to signing a lease, paying a deposit, or entering into any other agreement. Look around, ensure the apartment to rent is fairly maintained. It should provide what you need to suit your lifestyle and your bank balance!
