5 Helpful Tips for First-Time Apartment Renters

Renting an apartment for the first time can be a big milestone. Not only is it a symbol of your freedom, but it is also a sign that it is time to get serious about adult responsibilities. But back to the freedom part – having your own apartment can be an amazing opportunity to really be in control of your own environment. Even if you are living in a small studio, there are numerous ways to make the place your own – through painting, decorating and even the candles you burn. Your apartment is your own domain. However, before you move into your first apartment – it helps to have a few tips and tricks. Here are five helpful tips for first-time apartment renters.

1. Understand the concept of a deposit. When you’ve finally found the apartment of your dreams, the landlord will most likely ask you for a deposit. The deposit is usually the amount of a month’s worth of rent. You need to pay this deposit, because the landlord wants the security of knowing he or she can cover damages if they occur. It is also handy in the event that you decide to move out without warning. But don’t worry – you will most likely get your deposit back when you move out.
2. Make sure that you lock in the right lease length. When you are signing up for you apartment and going through all the lease agreements with your landlord, you will usually discuss the lease length. Most landlords want to lock in a tenant for a year or maybe even more. However, what happens if you are only going to be in town for six months? You may want to sign up for a month-to-month lease agreement or a six-month lease agreement.
3. Read your lease agreement very carefully before signing. The last thing you want is to sign up for something that you aren’t prepared to pay for. Also, some landlords put things into the lease that may not be entirely agreeable. For instance, what happens if you are forbidden to paint, but you want to change the color of a wall? What happens if you have a dog or cat? You may have to pay an extra deposit for your cat and you may have to repaint the walls before you move out, but you want to clear these things up before you move.
4. Go with an apartment rental company. Sometimes it can be a more pleasant experience dealing with an apartment rental company, like LRG Rentals, because you won’t have a private landlord breathing down your neck the whole time. Also, an apartment rental company will be more inclined to perform maintenance when you need it.
5. Be nice to your neighbors. There may be a wall separating you from your neighbors, but there is a good chance that you will be seeing a lot of them – all the time. So, you want to go out of your way to be nice. What happens if you are locked out of your apartment? What happens if there is an emergency – your neighbors may just be your lifeline.