Questions to Ask when Renting an Apartment: Ten Topics You May Forget

Most people consider the obvious when viewing an apartment - like the cost of rent, the inclusion of utilities, whether there’s laundry downstairs, and how maintenance is handled. But beyond these basic concerns, some folks busy themselves with mentally decorating the space and thus forget to investigate the less obvious or immediate aspects of the apartment. Here are ten questions to ask when renting an apartment.

Questions to ask when renting an apartment…#1. When the lease is up, will it automatically convert to a month-to-month agreement, or will you be obligated to sign a new lease? How much notice is required? People often fuss over the move-in details so much that they forget about the move-out details, which can be equally important. Don’t gloss over them just because they’re in the future.

Questions to ask when renting an apartment…#2. Are you allowed to sublet the apartment? Some rental companies specifically write “no sublet” provisions into their leases. While few people sign a lease planning to sublet, that’s exactly why you should inquire up front: you never know if your circumstances might change. It’s nice to know that you’re free to sublet if, all of a sudden, a job requires you to move from Portland to Pittsburgh. Otherwise, you might end up losing a security deposit by moving out mid-lease from a no-sublet apartment.

Questions to ask when renting an apartment…#3. How many civic complaints have been filed against the landlord or the rental company? Are the taxes on the building current? While you may not want to ask the person who’s showing you the place, you can easily call the appropriate city office and make sure that nothing’s shady about the property. Especially if tenant-friendly municipalities,