Tips for Renting Your First Apartment
Andy Hunziker • December 2, 2016
Create a Budget
Before you begin searching for an apartment, decide how much you can afford monthly to pay rent. Rent is normally due the 1st day of each month. Late fees are often assessed if your rent payment is late. Don’t forget to take common apartment expenses into consideration including electricity, gas, heat, air conditioning, cable, internet, renter’s insurance, and laundry when you are budgeting for your apartment.
As a rule of thumb the amount you should be budgeting for rent, which includes the miscellaneous rent expenses mentioned above, should be no more than 30% of your monthly income.
Renter's Insurance
You may have to acquire renter’s insurance if your landlord requires it. Even if it’s not required, it may be a good idea to purchase renter’s insurance, as it will protect your personal belongings in case of theft, fire or natural disaster. Learn more about the benefits of renters insurance here.
Tour the Apartment
Pick a day to schedule apartment tours to see the rental units in person so you can see the unit's conditions. Come prepared with questions you want to ask the property manager. Good questions to ask can include the following:
- What expenses are included in the rent?
- Is rental insurance required?
- What is the parking situation?
- How are maintenance requests handled?
- What is your pet policy?
- How much are up-front costs when I sign the lease?
Take notes about each apartment so you can compare apartments later. Ask for contact information from each property manager.
Signing the Lease
Once you have picked the apartment that you want to rent, it’s time to sign the lease! Be sure to carefully read over each section in your lease. Ask your landlord about any questions you might have or clarification you need. The lease covers everything you need to know from the respective duties of the landlord to the lease term.
Moving In
Your landlord will give you an inspection sheet to fill out when you first move in. It’s very important for you and your roommates to do a thorough walk through of your apartment when you first move in. Mark down any repairs that need to be done, and if anything is dirty or missing. Important things to check for during the inspection may include:
- Kitchen appliance functionality
- Outlets have power
- Accessible phone and cable jacks
- Safety equipment properly installed
- Door and window functionality
- Running hot and cold water
- Flip all light switches
Fill out the inspection sheet and return it to your landlord as soon as possible.
Enjoy Your Apartment
While the process of searching and acquiring a rental might be time consuming, the end result is very rewarding!
Hunziker Property Management has many rental properties throughout the city of Ames. Please contact us
if you have any questions about our rental policies or have an inquiry about one of our rental units.
Are you trying to decide whether to live in a dorm or off campus in Ames next year? The Hunziker team weighs the pros and cons of on- and off-campus living.
Daylight savings time came and went, and spring has arrived. Find a day or two this spring and take the time to clean your apartment. Follow our tips for a successful spring cleaning session.
One of the biggest decisions you will make in college is where you will live, after all, this is where you will spend most of your time! There are apartment listings all over your social media, and Apartments For Rent signs everywhere you drive. How will you know if you’ve chosen the right one? Follow our tips below to guide you to your perfect home!
Ideally, working from home means you have a designated office. However, as quarantine is creeping on, this isn’t the case for many people. Add some certainty to these uncertain times by making the most of your time and space. Take a look at our top tips for working from home!
Wintertime in Iowa can seem to last forever, but living in an apartment means you get to avoid a few of the most miserable parts of winter. Let's take a look at some of the perks of apartment living during these long and cold months!
With the holidays just around the corner, many of you may be getting ready to travel! Use the winter tips below to stay warm and minimize your bills while you’re away!
Renewals have started, and it is time to start thinking about where you want to live next year. With over 1,100 units all over Ames we have something for everyone, and we would love to help you find your next home!
Halloween is over, and the rest of the holiday season is fast approaching! You might still be working through your Halloween treats, but it is time to put the skeletons and pumpkins away because Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Time with family and friends is always great, but if it is your turn to host the festivities, you might be feeling some pressure. To make things easier on yourself, here are four tips to help you get through Thanksgiving dinner relatively stress-free!
Getting your dream job, graduating, or moving across the country can be so exciting... until you remember your lease goes until next summer. No need to worry though! Our sublease options are meant to help you transition into your next exciting stage of life as smoothly as possible!
We are so excited to be welcoming and getting to know our new residents this autumn! Whether you just moved to your Ames apartment or have been a resident for years, there are many great things to explore and learn about! We hope you love Ames as much as we do!
