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What to Know Before Renting an Apartment
Nov 06, 2023
What You Should Know Before Renting an Apartment
- Understanding the Rental Process: The rental process begins with getting approved to rent the apartment, since complexes are categorized as privately-owned businesses. Each complex and landlord will have their own tenant approval process that you will need to pass in order to rent an apartment, requiring you to provide proof of income, a good credit score, and deposit. Some may even require a background check, and have you fill out additional paperwork.
- Different Types of Costs:
When renting property, there are upfront costs that include first and last month's rent, as well as additional fees, such as pet deposits. Long term costs include utilities and other necessities, in which you should consider your budget when renting to determine how much you can afford for rent.
- Importance of Renter's Insurance:
While an additional bill to budget, renter's insurance is especially helpful in the event of natural disaster or theft. Landlord's insurance policies do not cover personal property, and many landlords have begun to require their tenants to carry renter's insurance.
- Amenities: Aside from deciding which location is the best for your lifestyle, you should also inquire about what the apartment includes, such as the amenities of the complex and whether the apartment comes with appliances or not.
- Leasing Terms: Before signing a rental agreement, you should determine how long you intend to rent for. Most lease agreements are prepared for six-month or one-year terms. However, you can discuss arrangements for a month-to-month basis, or for more than one-year, depending on your needs. It's important to remember that your lease may automatically renew!
- Roommates May or May Not Be Allowed: When finding a one or two bedroom apartment to rent, you should ask if roommates are allowed before signing a rental agreement to ensure that your potential landlord doesn't have issues. You also may or may not be allowed to add a roommate until your original lease is up for renewal.
Apartments for Rent in Fairfield, CT!
Fairbridge Commons is an apartment complex that provides one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments in Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Stratford, CT. For more information about what you should know before renting an apartment, or to learn more about what you need to rent an apartment, contact us today!
It can get very stressful looking for apartments to rent in an area you are currently living in or a place you want to move to. A lot goes into the apartment hunt that some people are only aware of once they are in it. The most innovative way to search for an apartment and minimize the time you spend searching is to use filters. The filters on an apartment searching site allow you to put in some parameters about the apartment you wish to find. Here are some things you can filter when you search apartments for rent: Pets - Make sure you select the type of pet you have before you start your search. Several apartments for rent have strict no-pet policies that only allow certain pets. Some landlords have pet restrictions that allow just cats, while others allow cats and dogs, but have breed or size restrictions for the dogs. Read all the fine print because apartments that allow pets typically charge a monthly pet fee and require a nonrefundable pet deposit. Number of bedrooms - There’s quite a difference in price if you are looking for a one-bedroom apartment versus a two-bedroom apartment. Regardless of how many bedrooms you are looking for, be sure to filter your search and select the number of bedrooms you’d like. This will weed out the apartments that would be too big or too small for your needs. Price range - It’s easy to get sticker shock while looking through apartments for rent, but you can filter your search to only be within a certain price range. This will prevent you from falling in love with an apartment that you could never afford. Location - Adding the town or city you’d like to reside in while sifting through apartments for rent will save you so much time. Without adding the location, you will get a bunch of apartments that are way too far from your job or the place you’d like to live close to. Parking - Some apartments for rent will have street parking only, while others will have off-street parking available for tenants. However, sometimes the off-street parking is an additional cost that is added to the rent each month. Laundry - Not all apartments have washer and dryer hookups, so if that’s something you won’t settle for not having in your apartment then filter it. It’s also good to read all the details in the description for each apartment for rent that you are considering applying for because some have washer and dryer hookups without a washer and dryer, while others come with a washer and dryer. Contact Fairbridge Commons if you are interested in our one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments. We’d love to give you a tour so you can determine if our apartments are the right fit for you.
Owning a home might be the dream and lifelong goal for many Americans. Having your own space to customize how you please is a nice perk especially as you can acquire equity with your home. However, owning a home is not always in the cards for everyone depending on your lifestyle or financial situation. If you are looking into owning a home or for apartments for rent, renting may be a great choice for you. Renting an apartment can help you avoid the hassles associated with homeownership as well as the different expenses and the upkeep involved in owning a home. Renting gives you the opportunity to have more free time as you don't have to worry about so much upkeep and may be able to provide you with more amenities than your house may offer. Choosing apartments for rent means you can move with ease as you aren't tied to a mortgage.
As we continue to take precautions to protect ourselves from COVID-19, we are slowly beginning to ease back into some normal aspects of life — including moving. While apartment hunting during a pandemic is not ideal, it is also not as difficult as you may think. Here are some tips on how to be safe while looking for an apartment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do As Much As You Can Remotely Leverage technology and start your search for your new apartment online. Start off by searching the internet for neighborhoods in the city or area you are planning to move to, and doing a deep dive on those specific areas. Use online tools and websites to help you find an apartment that meets your specific search criteria such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and of course, budget. Narrow down your search to a few places that meet your needs. Since landlords and management companies are just as eager to find renters as renters are to find apartments, many are offering virtual tours. A virtual tour gives you the opportunity to “walk through” the unit via video chat with a building manager or landlord and ask any questions that you might have. Be Safe When Viewing in Person Different states and counties are implementing lockdowns differently, meaning that depending on where you live, it might still be common practice for potential tenants to go view apartments in person. Once you have set up a viewing you will want to make sure you are still following safety measures. Be sure that you wear a mask and maintain physical distancing throughout the visit. You may need to interact with a real estate agent or a landlord while viewing the property, be sure you avoid shaking hands or even touching elbows. Bring hand sanitizer with you wherever you go and try to avoid touching common surfaces such as countertops, light switches, and doorknobs. Avoid touching your face until you have had a chance to properly wash your hands for a full 20 seconds after leaving. If the weather permits, consider asking the person giving you a tour to open up the windows in the unit prior to your arrival. Depending on your risk level or of those around you, change into clean clothes, and wipe down any surfaces you touched when you get back home. Apartments For Rent in Bridgeport, CT If you are searching for a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment , look no further than Fairbridge Commons. We offer ten different floor plans, are conveniently located, and are proud to offer a luxury living experience at an affordable price. If you are looking for an apartment in the Bridgeport, CT area, reach out to our team today.