Leases for apartments range from verbal agreements and handshakes to a 40-page contract. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. People often make a rash decisions and end up regretting. She specializes in writing about parenting, frugal living, real estate, travel and food. DC sellers know how much a nice basement rental can shave off a monthly payment, so homes are priced to reflect that. Basements are the first place water goes, from burst pipes to ground water. The main benefit to renting … Find out if this has been a problem in the past. When you’re … Here is the list of must ask questions during apartment … Ask the property manager to cover what security features the apartment has, including a doorman, a buzzer system and anything else. Therefore, you may be dealing with a first-time landlord or living beneath your landlord, which may make the situation uncomfortable. Her editing background includes newspapers, magazines and books, and her articles have appeared in print and on websites such as Life123 and AccessNurses. Now that you’ve got the questions to ask when renting an apartment you’ll be able to craft the ideal living space. You may also want to ask about the neighborhood — is it a relatively safe area? Many homeowners try to make extra money by turning their basements into apartments. Basement apartments of homes generally do not have separate utility systems so all the heating, cooling, electricity and plumbing systems serve the entire house. Also, if you're looking to move in the middle of the month, consider asking the management company if they'll prorate the rent so you only pay the amount of rent for the time you're actually living in the unit, says Trulia. Pest problems, like insects and rodents, are more common in basement apartments as well. Many homeowners try to rent out their place without getting the apartment inspected by the city. Ground-floor dwellings have a higher likelihood of break-ins, so ask the landlord about security measures for the apartment. Jenna Marie has been editing and writing professionally since 1993. What’s the parking situation? Being as descriptive as possible will also keep you from having to answer lots of questions once interested parties start contacting you. Potential tenants will be … If there is a laundry room in the basement, find out if it will give the landlord access to your apartment. Is my basement deep enough and dry enough? Ready to rent your basement apartment Rental applications -Require all prospective renters to complete a rental application. Also, rent may be cheaper in high-rent locations than traditional apartment complexes. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University. Basement apartments tend to have more issues with mice, spiders and other insects. The entrance from the outside must have a strong, working lock, and the windows should have working locks. Here’s how to tell if a basement apartment is legal. Basement apartments are separate living spaces from the home above them. “To be characterized as a basement apartment, at least half of the height of the apartment must be above street level. You’ve made a list of amenities you need, you’ve determined what neighborhood you want, and you’ve set your rental budget. A basement apartment is often more affordable than a traditional apartment because the lighting and the feel of a basement differs from a traditional apartment. Some basements just don’t work well as apartments due to their depth, which translates to ceiling height in a finished basement. Miriam C has been writing since 2007. One of the most useful questions to ask when getting an apartment is the exact location of the apartment. Ask the landlord when you will be notified of a rent increase—usually, it’s 30 to 60 days—so you’ll have to time prepare. Before you choose an apartment, however, you need answers to a long list of questions. Lots of places have parking spots, but not every place has a spot for free. Depending on the apartment building, these spaces can accommodate a single person up to a full family. Ask whether the landlord will cover regular pest control, or if he will pay for pest control as needed. While you can choose to proceed with the application process, it may be a good idea to ask tenant pre-screening questions before spending time and money on credit and background checks.Every landlord wants to find a great tenant — and asking the right questions … You might need a lawyer to evaluate a lengthy lease, but some vital information should be provided to you upfront by the leasing agent or landlord.. Ask whether the landlord will cover regular pest control, or if he will pay for … Find out if you have a separate electric meter for your apartment, and verify that you have your own thermostat. But there are more questions to ask when renting an apartment than just the obvious ones. Some basement apartments are not as closed off as traditional apartments. Going on vacation? In the event of a dispute with the landlord, you may be forfeiting your renter's rights if you occupy an illegal apartment. Background checks – Tenant screening is a great way to learn more about your prospective tenant. Always ask the landlord detailed questions about every apartment, but basement apartments have a few particular features you should always specifically ask about. Too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew issues, so ask about any past occurrences. Find out if this has been a problem in the past. A house in Mount Pleasant with a two-bedroom rental downstairs recently incited a wild bidding war and sold for about $200,000 above asking. Verify that you have a separate outdoor entrance. … Is there Wi-Fi in the building, and how much will it cost? Now is the time to get answers to some essential questions before signing a lease. When they do this, they cut corners and you may end up dealing with plumbing, heating and safety problems. Check crime statistics to get an idea of how safe the area is. It’s also possible to negotiate rent hikes in advance. She earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Utah State University. Preferably, there should not be a direct entrance from the landlord’s part of the home to your apartment. Some utilities may be covered in the rent, and others may not. Now it’s time to tour apartments and meet potential landlords. Basements are always the first to incur flood damage from bad weather and burst pipes. You can ask to sign a longer lease, for example, to avoid a rise in rent. Other … Among her many jobs, Miriam C has taught middle-school students. This may not be a deal breaker, but knowing this can prevent hard feelings between you and your upstairs neighbor in the future. Before you move in, or even sign a lease for you next rental home, you absolutely have to ask these 15 questions about your future apartment: 1. Ask the landlord about parking, for yourself as well as guests. Landlords who try to put in a basement apartment when it is not suitably zoned are less likely to abide by other rules and regulations. Basement apartments tend to have more issues with mice, spiders and other insects. It's crucial to know what questions to ask when renting an apartment, especially in the early stages of an apartment hunt. – When you have a renter you will always be on-call in case of emergencies like your renter being locked out or other issues like a leaky faucet. Parking is generally limited in the city and other areas. After you … Basement … You will need to either be available by phone or have someone else “on-call.” This whole thing can be outsourced but expect to pay a pretty penny for that kind of service. So you’ve marketed your rental property and have multiple responses from prospective tenants — now what? RentLingo’s Apartment Checklist Knowing what questions to ask when renting an apartment and knowing what to look out for during apartment walkthroughs are some of the most important aspects of the apartment … Your pets are family too, so make sure your new rental home or apartment will be welcoming to non-human tenants. Find out if you have a parking space in their driveway or if you must park on the street. They are attractive to some renters because they often have more square footage than standard apartments. The Benefits of Renting by Owner Flexibility. It is important to know exactly what is included in the rental fees before signing a monthly rental agreement. 50 Questions to Ask Your Potential Landlord. This is the tenant's chance to ask questions about the apartment, location, screening process, or anything else that comes to mind. Local laws regulate whether homeowners can create a multifamily home on a single family property. You don't want to pay an unfair portion for utilities you aren't using. Ask the landlord if the basement apartment has ever flooded. Another issue is the location of the home or apartment. However, there are plenty of questions you should ask when touring an apartment … Ask whether the basement apartment is inspected and approved by the proper authorities. BTW, if you’ve got roommates you’ll want to check out our science-backed tips … The presence of two-pronged switches is a sign of old wiring. Renter's Rights With Unsuitable Apartment Living Conditions, Requiring Tenants to Maintain the Property, My Tenant Is Parking in the Driveway Without Permission, How to Make an Existing Apartment Handicapped Friendly, MSN Real Estate: Should You Rent Out Your Basement, Superpages.com: Basement Apartments for Rent: Pros and Cons, Rental Homes Plus: Questions to Ask When You Rent, Things to Consider When Renting a Room in a House, The Landlord's Responsibility for Smoke Alarms After Tenants Take Possession in California, Things to Ask of Your Tenants if You Are a Property Manager. A definite question to ask is whether or not the basement had ever incurred flooding. Landlords or potential landlords will likely want to ask you a few appropriate questions. 1. If the landlord appears to have cut corners on proper compliance and certification, it might mean the basement apartment is not up to code on vital systems, like heating or plumbing. Author: Christy Bieber | April 18, 2018. It is important because even if the tenant has answered all of your qualifying questions … Renting a basement apartments means that you have upstairs neighbors and need to share common space. Ask About Legality. (And you can read more on how to avoid renting an illegal apartment, and the pros and cons of living in a basement apartment.) For example, if your rent is $1,200, but you move in the middle of the month, the prorated rent … And while the specific questions you ask may be particular to your location and situation, regardless of where you’re planning on renting here are 10 questions … Ask about the quality of the apartment's wiring, and ask to see service records if necessary. To make an informed and right decision while renting an apartment you to ask certain questions to the landlord about a few things. Most rental apartments … ft. basement apartment … Local laws regulate whether … Any inside route from the upstairs dwelling must have a locking door. The obvious ones might include asking how much you make and if anyone will be living with you. Questions to Ask Before Renting a Basement Apartment. Rental Home's Plus: Questions to Ask When You Rent. Some of these questions require calls directly to the utility providers… Also, if you plan to have frequent or long-term guests at your rental, ask questions about the landlord's guest policy. Ask about any past pest problems and any current measures in place to keep the basement apartment pest-free. The rental … Check on any restrictions or rules about areas in common, such as a laundry room shared by the whole house or a backyard patio. You might tour a beautiful property and immediately think it's the place for you. Landlords often require renters in homes to do maintenance and upkeep for the yard, so find out what your responsibilities will be. Finally, rental houses are similar to the off-campus houses on Hessler or South Overlook Roads. Ask the landlord about fire escape routes for the basement apartment and don't forget to check for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Ask when and how you can submit rent and if there are any late fees if you miss a payment, says Apartment Guide. Her nonfiction book was published in 2008. Before renting an apartment, you should always make sure you’re asking enough questions and you’re asking the right questions. In order for owners of a single-family home to legally rent out their basement apartment, it … Ask if cable, gas and electric and trash removal are covered. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. These are either partial- or full-houses with multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, multiple floors, possibly even a basement! 15 Questions to Ask Before Renting a Home. An inspected and approved apartment is an indication that the landlord is taking care of things and will make it easier on you as a tenant. Ask whether the basement apartment is inspected and approved by the proper authorities. The landlord may be willing to cover your gas and electric bills as well as water, but you should be clear on what is covered and what is not before you sign the contract. You should be able to lock your doors expect written notice if your landlord intends to enter. A clear understanding of boundaries and guidelines will make it a positive experience. Know what you are getting into before saying yes to the apartment. The Location of the Apartment. She's written for Families.com and other clients on finances, family and education. Large apartment complexes are often managed by property management companies. Your rental listing might say something like “Cozy 800 sq. When renting, your best bet is to ask… Ask whether the rent includes utilities, and if not, how it is divided. Basement apartments are not without problems, however. If the property owner has several rental homes or an apartment building larger than six units, they may consider a property management company, as well. Criminal record checks,... References – Ask … Priced to reflect that a great way to learn more about your prospective Tenant nice rental. Dealing with a two-bedroom rental downstairs recently incited a wild bidding war and for. Rights Reserved immediately think it 's the place for you negotiate rent in! To do maintenance and upkeep for the yard, so ask the landlord detailed questions about every,! And end up regretting to have more square footage than standard apartments, but knowing this can hard! Finances, family and education houses are similar to the off-campus houses on Hessler South. Included in the building, these spaces can accommodate a single family property out if this has been a in... Included in the rental fees before signing a lease rise in rent need... 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