| If you are contemplating a move to a new | | | | system, howoften is it inspected? If there are |
| apartment, be sureyou know your rights and | | | | problems with theelevator, is there a number YOU |
| obligations before you sign alease. | | | | and the other tenants cancall or should you call the |
| Whether you live in Chicago, New York, Boston, San | | | | super for the building? Isthere a guaranteed |
| Francisco, or Peoria, Illinois, your perfect apartment | | | | turnaround time for a service visit ormight you be |
| isthe one in the right neighborhood, near the right | | | | walking up six flights of stairs for a week ormore? |
| highwaysor train or bus lines for commuting, at the | | | | Apartment Super - If your apartment building has a |
| right rate, ina secure building. | | | | super,is he/she resident in the building or does the |
| There are probably other apartment features you | | | | super liveoffsite? What days of the week and hours |
| have onyour list. But, no matter what you are looking | | | | does he/she work,and how do you reach him/her? |
| for in theway of housing, the right apartment nearly | | | | What services does he provideand what services are |
| always comeswith a lease. | | | | subcontracted to others, e.g.plumbing, electrical, |
| When you think you've found the right apartment, | | | | security systems, etc. |
| you shouldprotect yourself by reviewing the lease | | | | Pets - Are you allowed to have pets in your building? |
| before you sign itand asking a few questions of your | | | | Ifso, what kind? What happens if there are |
| new landlord. | | | | complaints aboutyou or some other tenant regarding |
| If your landlord does NOT ask you to sign an | | | | a barking dog, odors,etc. |
| apartmentlease, you should ask why. Moving into an | | | | Garbage and Incineration - What services and |
| apartmentwithout a lease can cause problems, | | | | systems doesyour landlord provide for garbage or |
| because your rights andobligations are not defined | | | | incineration? Arethere garbage receptacle areas in the |
| and, in some states, yourlandlord can throw you out | | | | building, or do youthrow your garbage down into an |
| of your apartment withoutnotice. | | | | incinerator? What type ofclean-up and sanitation is |
| If you have an apartment lease in hand and you are | | | | done on a regular basis toensure that the garbage |
| ready tosign, you should review these items before | | | | does not attract rats or vermin? |
| you put yoursignature on the dotted line. | | | | Apartment Security Deposit - Typically, a landlord will |
| Each state has different laws regarding apartment | | | | askfor payment upfront, equal to one or more |
| rentalsand obligations. You can search online or call | | | | months of rent tohold for any repairs he may have |
| your Stateoffices to find out more information about | | | | to make if you leave theapartment in disarray at the |
| landlord andtenant rights and obligations for | | | | end of your lease. If youmust make a security |
| apartment rentals. | | | | deposit, find out whether yourlandlord is holding this in |
| Don't sign up for more than your State requires if | | | | escrow in accordance with law,and when you can |
| you canhelp it. If the landlord is using his own | | | | expect to get it back when you are readyto move. |
| apartment leaseform instead of a standard form, | | | | Apartment Vacancy and Sublease - Can you sublet |
| read it carefully anddon't hesitate to ask for changes | | | | yourapartment if you have to move out of your |
| if you feel the terms aretoo restrictive. | | | | apartment for anyreason? What happens if you |
| While you may not be able to get changes for | | | | vacate the apartment andcontinue to pay rent? Can |
| stipulationslike pets, or things that impact fire | | | | you move back in or will thelandlord seize the |
| insurance or firelaws, there are some things you CAN | | | | apartment and cancel the lease withpenalties? |
| negotiate. | | | | Changes to the Apartment - Can you hang pictures |
| Here are a few other things to check on that | | | | on thewalls, or change fixtures in your apartment? |
| dreamapartment. Some of them may be in the lease | | | | You should also consider any specific requirements |
| and some maybe services that are not outlined in the | | | | YOU haveand add those to the list of questions you |
| apartment leaseyou will sign. | | | | want to ask yourlandlord. For example, do you have |
| In any case, you should know about these lease | | | | a baby grand piano youneed to move into the |
| conditionsupfront. If the terms and conditions of your | | | | apartment? If so, can you take out awindow to hoist |
| apartmentlease are not to your liking and there are | | | | the piano in from the street, through thewindow |
| seriousconcerns, you may have to rethink your | | | | frame? Do you raise ocelots? If so, find out ifyou |
| dream apartment andkeep looking. | | | | can do that in your new apartment before you sign |
| Security - How much security, if any, does your | | | | thelease. |
| landlordprovide? If there is a parking garage, is there | | | | Be sure you ask all of these questions and review |
| securityfor that garage, 24 hours a day? | | | | theapartment lease before you make a decision on |
| Elevators - If your apartment has an elevator | | | | an apartment. |