Renting a new apartment can be so exciting. It might be a taste of independence or it might be a fresh start. No matter what your plans are, you need to make sure that you will be protected in your home. Before you sign your lease, make sure you know these four things.
Can You Afford It?
Experts say that you should not spend more than 30% of your income on rent and utilities. If you struggle to cover your expenses, you might not be able to afford this apartment. Unfortunately, you might not be able to get out of your lease before it ends. This will leave you on the hook for the money you owe, whether you can pay it or not. That’s why it pays to plan ahead and decide if you can afford it before committing.
How Can I Terminate the Lease?
While you might intend to stay in your apartment throughout the entirety of the lease, things change. You might have a major life change that will require you to leave. Before you sign your lease, you need to know how to break it. Many places will include that information in your lease, so ask for it upfront. It might be something as simple as giving your landlord notice and paying a fee, or it might get more complicated. You need to know this upfront, so make sure you ask the questions and get straight answers.
What Is Included in the Rent?
Your monthly rent might include other things, like certain utility payments. If you’re moving into a new apartment, you need to know what you’ll be required to pay for and what will be covered when you move in. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to budget or you might end up paying for things that you didn’t know you would have to.
Is There Parking?
If you have a car, it is essential that you know the parking situation at your new apartment. Some apartments have plentiful free parking while others have nothing at all. Make sure you know what you’ll get going in.
When you’re moving into a new apartment, there are so many things that you need to consider. However, before you do any of that, make sure that you’ve got answers to these questions. Not only will they help you plan for your time in the apartment, but they can also potentially help you get away from an apartment that does not work for you and your situation.
