When talking to your potential landlords and apartment complexes, it’s important to get a good read on what you would be signing up for. Although many have similar rules and terms, signing a contract to live somewhere before you read this information could be a terrible decision for yourself down the line.
These are some of the top questions to ask and why they matter!
How Recently Have There Been Rental Increases
Although some complexes seem to raise rent prices every year: this is a red flag. You should find somewhere that the rent doesn’t fluctuate a lot so that you can know what to expect if you chose to live there for a second year. Although they might not want to give you a straight answer on this, you can often find apartment complexes in community discussion sites and try to find a current resident for their opinion.
What Amenities Are Available?
If you love swimming and looking at complexes with a pool, it’s a good idea to ensure that’s a part of the property. Along with that same idea, you must ask what amenities come with your rent so that you can weigh them against other complexes and consider what the best fit is for you.
What’s Included in the Rent?
This is important since many forget to ask and then be surprised by other charges. Things that may not be included in the rent, but will often come with a rent bill, are pet fees, the cost of renting a washer and dryer from the complex, and other parts like that. Look at what additional charges may get added on, and consider if that monthly price is something you can handle.
How Much Notice Is Needed Before Vacating
We all move eventually. If you happen to find Calgary homes for sale within your price range within six months of you living there: you’ll need to know how much notice you have to give before you can leave. Abandoning a property is a large offense and can look bad on your rental history. Instead, ask this simple question before you move in so that you can leave whenever you’re ready to.
What Penalties Come from Lease Breaking
Unfortunately, leases are one of the most expensive contracts to get out of. If your living situation is unclear right now, it’s okay to ask the landlord how much it would cost to cancel the contract early. Often this can cost a month or two of rent and then a large amount until they can find another renter to fill your spot. This could be a lot of money to throw away, so if you’re prone to moving often, it might not be a good idea to move into a complex that has incredibly strict rules for how soon you can transfer and how much that will cost you.
Renting is an incredible option for anyone who can’t afford to buy a home or wants to avoid having the higher level of work that comes with homeownership. Plan and ask questions, and you’ll set yourself up for success.