Stay_Gold Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) I am planning to move out of my parent's care once I find a job that pays decent and saved up enough money. I have done little research and have never tried to rent an apartment before but I am not clueless either and have started to come up with a basic "plan/outline" of attack that I can use to make the process as painless as possible. Plan/Outline: Research & Basics To Know: Application ProcessContract/Lease details, points and disclaimers (Security deposit, payment etc.)Renter’s RightsEviction Legalities (cash for keys, foreclosures etc.Landlord: suitable living conditionsRenter’s InsuranceRental Property Search: Price + Security Deposit + Lease LengthAmenities (laundry, garage, parking, pool, pets)Tenant ReviewsRoom mates...???Proximity to work/freewayNeighborhood characteristics (good/bad)Final Informed Decision and Property Choice: Gather all necessary documents/forms/legal neededFill out and turn in application for rentPay deposit + 1st month’s rentMove in ASAPBasic FurnishingInternetLegal Matters & Filing System/Record Keep: ComputerMake extra copies of docs.Save in a Fire Safe File Cabinet/Hard DriveAny tips, suggestions, advice or changes/additions to my plan is GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks. Edited June 25, 2014 by Stay_Gold Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Can you repost this without all the font garbage? It's impossible to read as is. The first thing you need is a budget. Don't forget you will also need 1 month's rent and 1.5 months security deposit plus moving costs & start up costs. Even if you have furniture you will still need initial cleaning supplies, pots pans & dishes, towels, a laundry basic, basic 1st aid stuff + aspirin / Tylenol, cold meds, pepto, band aids & all that other good stuff your mom kept in the medicine cabinet. When looking at places factor in your commute to work, parking costs, food, available services (doctor, dry cleaner etc) Make sure you know what's included: heat & hot water Do you want / need renters' insurance. Will you have a roommate? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Now that I can read your post, you seem to have it covered. Link to post Share on other sites
clia Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 (edited) You will also need to arrange for electric, gas, water, phone (if you want a landline), and cable TV (if you want it). As far as electric, gas, and water, you can ask the management who you need to call. You also might want to consider getting renter's insurance -- it's usually pretty cheap. When you looking at places, if it is important to you, find out if you are allowed to paint the walls and/or put nails in the walls. If you have shared laundry consider the number of washers/dryers compared to the number of units in the building. If you can only get a washer at 2 a.m., that might not be so great. Edited June 26, 2014 by clia 1 Link to post Share on other sites
pink_sugar Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 (edited) Sounds like you have it down, but you can condense it a bit more. We are looking and here are our major factors. We've been looking for places that have the best possible price, aren't too far, best value for the money and with flexible leasing terms. I don't want to be stuck in a 12 month lease off the bat. Also, we've decided to move in the fall, because leasing rates drop after the summer as summer is the most expensive time to move. So consider your timing as well. We've learned from experience to examine several apartments before deciding. Also, make sure you ask about their leasing terms. For ex: are you allowed to break the lease if you ever need to, if you pay a penalty? If you have pets or plan to get pets, ask about the cost of pet deposit and pet rent. Ask for average utility costs or if water/garbage will be included in the rent. Make sure you factor in the cost of rent, water/garbage, electric and any pet rent if you have pets. You'll be fine. It's about getting the best bang for your buck. Renters insurance is good to have even if they do not require it. Most landlords policies do not include your personal belongings. Edited June 26, 2014 by pink_sugar Link to post Share on other sites
Author Stay_Gold Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 (edited) Thank you everyone. All your comments, advice and tips are greatly appreciated. I revised it a bit and even though I can probably condense it...I have chosen to keep it long like this as I am a little bit of a perfectionist (OCD =) haha) and I want to make sure I don't leave out anything important. New Outline: Research & Basics To Know Now: a. Application Process know how’s b. Contract/Lease details, points and disclaimers (Security deposit, payment etc.) c. Renter’s Rights i. Eviction Legalities (cash for keys, foreclosure notices etc.) ii. Suitable living conditions (landlord responsibilities) d. Renter’s Insurance…??? (Yes) e. Analyze and understand sample contracts/leases online i. Define and understand all legal terms, phrases and/or words you do not know!!! Create a budget a. Use excel to make a list of necessities/luxuries, expenses/costs & payment. Rental Property Search: a. Price + Security Deposit + Lease Length b. Utility Costs: Gas, Water and Electricity (included Y/N) c. Amenities (laundry, garage, parking, pool, pets, communal bbq grill) d. Online Reviews e. Room mates…??? f. Proximity to work/freeway/grocery store/school g. Neighborhood characteristics (good & bad) h. Apartment modifications…??? i. Extra costs inferred…??? j. Flexible leasing terms i. Contract breach/breaking lease legalities and procedure/payment k. Find Best Bang For Your Buck…!!! Upon making a choice: a. Gather all necessary documents/forms/legal needed b. Fill out and turn in application. Upon acceptance/approval… i. Pay deposit + 1st month’s rent (or whatever the requirement is) c. Move in i. Basic furnishing (bed, desk/chair) ii. Internet/TV…??? iii. Basic necessities 1. Refrigerator/Microwave/Stove 2. Bathroom/Laundry/Kitchen/Cleaning supplies Legal Matters & Record Keep: a. Make extra copies of documents b. Save in a fire safe file cabinet / hard drive I think it looks good and is ready to be put to GOOD USE. Wish me luck. Sorry for all the numbers and bullets. I am pasting from a word doc. I am keeping this word doc as a permanent file I can keep with me. Thanks. Edited June 27, 2014 by Stay_Gold Link to post Share on other sites
Author Stay_Gold Posted June 27, 2014 Author Share Posted June 27, 2014 Feel free to copy my template/plan if you don't have one already or pass it on to other people you know that need it or can use it. Link to post Share on other sites
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