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