Renting your first apartment is an exciting milestone, but can also feel overwhelming. As a first-time apartment renter, you need solid advice before signing that lease. Here are some tips that can help you navigate the process, avoid common pitfalls, and find the right apartment for your needs.
Common Mistakes First-time Renters Make
As a first-time apartment renter, it’s easy to make these mistakes during your search or when signing a lease:
- Neglecting to research the neighborhood: “Location, location, location” is a real estate mantra for a reason. An apartment may seem perfect, but if it’s in a high-crime neighborhood, you could run into significant problems in the future. Be sure to check local crime statistics and visit the area at different times of the day before committing to a rental.
- Not fully understanding lease terms: Always review the lease carefully and understand your responsibilities as a tenant when considering renting. If there is anything unclear, get clarification from the landlord before signing.
- Skipping rental insurance: Unexpected events like fire, theft, or water damage can happen at any time. Rental insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings and give you peace of mind in case the worst happens. To learn more about what’s covered by renters insurance, check out this blog post, where we highlight some surprising things that may be included in your policy.
- Not visiting the apartment in person beforehand: If you’re moving into an apartment for the first time from out of town, it’s critical to visit the site beforehand. Relying solely on photos and online descriptions can lead to disappointment if the apartment doesn't meet your expectations.
- Falling for Rental Scams: Rental scams often share common red flags that can help you spot fraud. Be wary of vague listings with poor grammar, no tenant screening, or landlords unwilling to offer a proper tour. Always verify the property address — if it doesn’t exist or is in foreclosure, that’s a major warning. Unusual payment requests, like wiring money or paying in gift cards, are clear signs of a scam. And if the rent seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Follow this essential first apartment checklist to help ensure a smooth and successful experience as a first-time renter. From understanding the rental process to knowing what to bring on move-in day, taking the right steps can make all the difference. Start by setting a realistic budget, researching neighborhoods, and gathering the necessary documents like ID, proof of income, and references. Be sure to read the lease carefully, ask questions about utilities and maintenance, and schedule a property tour before signing anything. Once approved, create a move-in checklist with essentials like furniture, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies. By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate your first rental confidently and comfortably.
1. Know Your Budget and Save Up
Renting an apartment is expensive — even if you find a great deal. In addition to monthly rent, you’ll need to consider other costs that go into renting, including:
- Monthly utilities like electric or internet
- One-time security deposit to cover damages you may cause
- First month’s rent to secure the apartment
- Furnishing your new place
- Fees for amenities like parking spots
- Recurring costs like groceries
Take a close look at your income and expenses before you start shopping for an apartment. You’ll need to consider all of the costs of renting and save up for initial upfront costs like your security deposit. Depending on where you want to live and how much income you have, you may need to consider living with a roommate to help cover costs.
2. Find Out What You Need to Rent an Apartment
Although the requirements to rent will vary between apartments and landlords, you’ll usually need to meet certain criteria to be approved for the place. Ask the property management company or landlord what the minimum requirements are to rent the apartment you’re interested in.
- A certain credit score or a co-signer if you don’t have the credit
- A list of references, much like applying to a job
- Proof of income
- First month’s rent and a security deposit equal to the monthly rent
- Application fee to apply for the apartment
3. Consider Parking and Commuting
As you search for apartments, it’s important to consider location. You might be comfortable with a longer commute to live in a popular neighborhood. On the other hand, living near your work or school might be the most important aspect of renting an apartment.
Parking is another big factor when looking for a place to live. Some apartment complexes have large garages where tenants can park securely for a monthly fee. Other places may have first-come, first-served street parking. Still other places offer one parking spot for a specific unit — even if multiple people live there. Ask the landlord about the parking situation and your options before you commit to renting the apartment.
4. Search in the Winter
There are better times of the year to look for housing than others. Late spring, for example, often means a lot of high school and college graduates are looking for a place to rent. People also tend to move to new apartments in warmer months because the move is easier in good weather.
Winter is a great time to look for apartments and potentially save money. Just be aware there may be fewer places to rent than in the middle of spring. The upside is that you might find the perfect place at a reduced cost because demand is low.
5. Give Yourself Enough Time
While you should try to shop around in the slow season, you may not find the apartment that’s right for you. If possible, give yourself enough time to wait for a good apartment to become available. Jumping on the first apartment you find could leave you paying more in rent or not having the amenities you wanted.
6. Make a List of Questions to Ask
Ask a lot of questions when you tour apartments. This gives you a chance to learn more about the property and your responsibilities. It’s also a great way to find out how good the landlord is at communicating and working with tenants.
Start with questions like:
- How long is the rental term?
- Do I have access to laundry facilities?
- Who do I call if something breaks?
- Are trash and recycling included in the price?
- How close are the nearest essentials like groceries or gas?
- Are there quiet hours or restrictions on guests?
7. Start Gathering Essentials
First-time apartment renters usually don’t have a lot of the furnishings they need to be comfortable in their new home. Once you know you’re going to be renting an apartment, start slowly gathering the essentials. You don’t want to move into your new place only to find out you don’t have any cooking utensils or dishes.
If your current home has space, consider slowly gathering essentials over time. This lets you find essentials like pots and pans or towels at a great price and spreads the cost out over several months.
8. Clean Before You Move In
Most apartments require the previous tenant to clean up when they move out. Unfortunately, a lot of renters open the door to their new place only to find trash and dust. Before you start bringing boxes into your apartment, give it a deep cleaning.
9. Protect Your Belongings with Insurance
As a first-time apartment renter, you’re probably ready to get settled into your new place. Before you get too comfortable, however, you should consider adding insurance policies that can help protect you and your belongings from accidents.
Renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of insurance. It protects your belongings from covered accidents like fires or theft. It can also help pay for medical bills or legal fees if a guest gets hurt while visiting you. Contact a Wawanesa agent today to learn more.
FAQs
How much is renters insurance?
At Wawanesa, we offer renters insurance for around $12* per month for $15,000 worth of coverage. If disaster strikes, you have the peace of mind of knowing that you will receive reimbursement for your lost belongings, minus your deductible. For more details about renters insurance and to get answers to your questions, visit our FAQ page.
* Average premium cost of $12 per month for the states of California and Oregon, for a Wawanesa 12-month renters insurance policy for personal property liability limit of $15,000.
What is included in the budget for a first-time apartment renter?
Your overall apartment rental budget must include more than your monthly rent and security deposit. Calculate expenses such as utilities, internet, parking fees, and rental insurance. If you have a pet, find out if your landlord charges an additional monthly fee. Remember that unforeseen expenses can occur, so give yourself an adequate budgeting cushion.
What documents do I need to rent my first apartment?
Most landlords require a government-issued ID, proof of income (such as pay stubs or bank statements), a completed rental application, and references from employers or previous landlords. Some may also run a credit or background check.
What should I look for when touring an apartment?
Check the condition of appliances, plumbing, flooring, and windows. Make sure doors and locks work properly, test light switches, and look for any signs of water damage, mold, or pests. Ask about included utilities, parking, and building maintenance.
What happens if something breaks in the apartment?
Report any maintenance issues to your landlord or property manager as soon as possible. Leases usually outline who is responsible for repairs. Routine maintenance is typically the landlord’s responsibility, but damage caused by the tenant may not be covered.
How do I know if I can afford an apartment?
A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. Be sure to include other recurring expenses like utilities, groceries, transportation, and personal needs when calculating your budget.
