After you … Ask whether the basement apartment is inspected and approved by the proper authorities. Ask about any past pest problems and any current measures in place to keep the basement apartment pest-free. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. RentLingo’s Apartment Checklist Knowing what questions to ask when renting an apartment and knowing what to look out for during apartment walkthroughs are some of the most important aspects of the apartment … In order for owners of a single-family home to legally rent out their basement apartment, it … This may not be a deal breaker, but knowing this can prevent hard feelings between you and your upstairs neighbor in the future. A house in Mount Pleasant with a two-bedroom rental downstairs recently incited a wild bidding war and sold for about $200,000 above asking. Local laws regulate whether … Find out if you have a separate electric meter for your apartment, and verify that you have your own thermostat. You can ask to sign a longer lease, for example, to avoid a rise in rent. It's crucial to know what questions to ask when renting an apartment, especially in the early stages of an apartment hunt. Large apartment complexes are often managed by property management companies. Verify that you have a separate outdoor entrance. What’s the parking situation? You might tour a beautiful property and immediately think it's the place for you. “To be characterized as a basement apartment, at least half of the height of the apartment must be above street level. If there is a laundry room in the basement, find out if it will give the landlord access to your apartment. Also, if you're looking to move in the middle of the month, consider asking the management company if they'll prorate the rent so you only pay the amount of rent for the time you're actually living in the unit, says Trulia. Now it’s time to tour apartments and meet potential landlords. Check crime statistics to get an idea of how safe the area is. Basement apartments are separate living spaces from the home above them. The landlord may be willing to cover your gas and electric bills as well as water, but you should be clear on what is covered and what is not before you sign the contract. – When you have a renter you will always be on-call in case of emergencies like your renter being locked out or other issues like a leaky faucet. Ask whether the landlord will cover regular pest control, or if he will pay for pest control as needed. Lots of places have parking spots, but not every place has a spot for free. The entrance from the outside must have a strong, working lock, and the windows should have working locks. Basements are always the first to incur flood damage from bad weather and burst pipes. Criminal record checks,... References – Ask … Basements are the first place water goes, from burst pipes to ground water. Ask whether the basement apartment is inspected and approved by the proper authorities. BTW, if you’ve got roommates you’ll want to check out our science-backed tips … … The main benefit to renting … Renter's Rights With Unsuitable Apartment Living Conditions, Requiring Tenants to Maintain the Property, My Tenant Is Parking in the Driveway Without Permission, How to Make an Existing Apartment Handicapped Friendly, MSN Real Estate: Should You Rent Out Your Basement, Superpages.com: Basement Apartments for Rent: Pros and Cons, Rental Homes Plus: Questions to Ask When You Rent, Things to Consider When Renting a Room in a House, The Landlord's Responsibility for Smoke Alarms After Tenants Take Possession in California, Things to Ask of Your Tenants if You Are a Property Manager. Her editing background includes newspapers, magazines and books, and her articles have appeared in print and on websites such as Life123 and AccessNurses. An inspected and approved apartment is an indication that the landlord is taking care of things and will make it easier on you as a tenant. Ask if cable, gas and electric and trash removal are covered. Some utilities may be covered in the rent, and others may not. Find out if this has been a problem in the past. To make an informed and right decision while renting an apartment you to ask certain questions to the landlord about a few things. Before you choose an apartment, however, you need answers to a long list of questions. Potential tenants will be … Is there Wi-Fi in the building, and how much will it cost? It’s also possible to negotiate rent hikes in advance. However, there are plenty of questions you should ask when touring an apartment … This is the tenant's chance to ask questions about the apartment, location, screening process, or anything else that comes to mind. 15 Questions to Ask Before Renting a Home. Ask the landlord about parking, for yourself as well as guests. In the event of a dispute with the landlord, you may be forfeiting your renter's rights if you occupy an illegal apartment. Always ask the landlord detailed questions about every apartment, but basement apartments have a few particular features you should always specifically ask about. You may also want to ask about the neighborhood — is it a relatively safe area? Basement apartments of homes generally do not have separate utility systems so all the heating, cooling, electricity and plumbing systems serve the entire house. The presence of two-pronged switches is a sign of old wiring. Many homeowners try to rent out their place without getting the apartment inspected by the city. Now is the time to get answers to some essential questions before signing a lease. Renting a basement apartments means that you have upstairs neighbors and need to share common space. It is important to know exactly what is included in the rental fees before signing a monthly rental agreement. Leases for apartments range from verbal agreements and handshakes to a 40-page contract. A definite question to ask is whether or not the basement had ever incurred flooding. Most rental apartments … Preferably, there should not be a direct entrance from the landlord’s part of the home to your apartment. Find out if you have a parking space in their driveway or if you must park on the street. Too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew issues, so ask about any past occurrences. Know what you are getting into before saying yes to the apartment. Check on any restrictions or rules about areas in common, such as a laundry room shared by the whole house or a backyard patio. So you’ve marketed your rental property and have multiple responses from prospective tenants — now what? Ask whether the rent includes utilities, and if not, how it is divided. Miriam C has been writing since 2007. 1. Her nonfiction book was published in 2008. She earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Utah State University. While you can choose to proceed with the application process, it may be a good idea to ask tenant pre-screening questions before spending time and money on credit and background checks.Every landlord wants to find a great tenant — and asking the right questions … Ask the landlord when you will be notified of a rent increase—usually, it’s 30 to 60 days—so you’ll have to time prepare. DC sellers know how much a nice basement rental can shave off a monthly payment, so homes are priced to reflect that. Before renting an apartment, you should always make sure you’re asking enough questions and you’re asking the right questions. Many homeowners try to make extra money by turning their basements into apartments. She's written for Families.com and other clients on finances, family and education. One of the most useful questions to ask when getting an apartment is the exact location of the apartment. Ask the landlord if the basement apartment has ever flooded. Jenna Marie has been editing and writing professionally since 1993. Ask about the quality of the apartment's wiring, and ask to see service records if necessary. When renting, your best bet is to ask… If the property owner has several rental homes or an apartment building larger than six units, they may consider a property management company, as well. Basement … She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University. Is my basement deep enough and dry enough? The obvious ones might include asking how much you make and if anyone will be living with you. Landlords who try to put in a basement apartment when it is not suitably zoned are less likely to abide by other rules and regulations. Some basements just don’t work well as apartments due to their depth, which translates to ceiling height in a finished basement. Finally, rental houses are similar to the off-campus houses on Hessler or South Overlook Roads. You should be able to lock your doors expect written notice if your landlord intends to enter. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Rental Home's Plus: Questions to Ask When You Rent. Your rental listing might say something like “Cozy 800 sq. Parking is generally limited in the city and other areas. (And you can read more on how to avoid renting an illegal apartment, and the pros and cons of living in a basement apartment.) Also, if you plan to have frequent or long-term guests at your rental, ask questions about the landlord's guest policy. Basement apartments are not without problems, however. A basement apartment is often more affordable than a traditional apartment because the lighting and the feel of a basement differs from a traditional apartment. Local laws regulate whether homeowners can create a multifamily home on a single family property. Some of these questions require calls directly to the utility providers… The rental … Being as descriptive as possible will also keep you from having to answer lots of questions once interested parties start contacting you. Find out if this has been a problem in the past. Ask when and how you can submit rent and if there are any late fees if you miss a payment, says Apartment Guide. 50 Questions to Ask Your Potential Landlord. The Location of the Apartment. Before you move in, or even sign a lease for you next rental home, you absolutely have to ask these 15 questions about your future apartment: 1. Now that you’ve got the questions to ask when renting an apartment you’ll be able to craft the ideal living space. You’ve made a list of amenities you need, you’ve determined what neighborhood you want, and you’ve set your rental budget. Ground-floor dwellings have a higher likelihood of break-ins, so ask the landlord about security measures for the apartment. Among her many jobs, Miriam C has taught middle-school students. Landlords often require renters in homes to do maintenance and upkeep for the yard, so find out what your responsibilities will be. Basement apartments tend to have more issues with mice, spiders and other insects. When they do this, they cut corners and you may end up dealing with plumbing, heating and safety problems. These are either partial- or full-houses with multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, multiple floors, possibly even a basement! Background checks – Tenant screening is a great way to learn more about your prospective tenant. Author: Christy Bieber | April 18, 2018. A clear understanding of boundaries and guidelines will make it a positive experience. Also, rent may be cheaper in high-rent locations than traditional apartment complexes. You don't want to pay an unfair portion for utilities you aren't using. If the landlord appears to have cut corners on proper compliance and certification, it might mean the basement apartment is not up to code on vital systems, like heating or plumbing. Your pets are family too, so make sure your new rental home or apartment will be welcoming to non-human tenants. Therefore, you may be dealing with a first-time landlord or living beneath your landlord, which may make the situation uncomfortable. Depending on the apartment building, these spaces can accommodate a single person up to a full family. For example, if your rent is $1,200, but you move in the middle of the month, the prorated rent … Other … It is important because even if the tenant has answered all of your qualifying questions … Ask the landlord about fire escape routes for the basement apartment and don't forget to check for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. She specializes in writing about parenting, frugal living, real estate, travel and food. Basement apartments tend to have more issues with mice, spiders and other insects. You will need to either be available by phone or have someone else “on-call.” This whole thing can be outsourced but expect to pay a pretty penny for that kind of service. Questions to Ask Before Renting a Basement Apartment. Ask the property manager to cover what security features the apartment has, including a doorman, a buzzer system and anything else. But there are more questions to ask when renting an apartment than just the obvious ones. Here’s how to tell if a basement apartment is legal. Ask About Legality. When you’re … The Benefits of Renting by Owner Flexibility. Going on vacation? Any inside route from the upstairs dwelling must have a locking door. Ready to rent your basement apartment Rental applications -Require all prospective renters to complete a rental application. People often make a rash decisions and end up regretting. ft. basement apartment … They are attractive to some renters because they often have more square footage than standard apartments. Some basement apartments are not as closed off as traditional apartments. You might need a lawyer to evaluate a lengthy lease, but some vital information should be provided to you upfront by the leasing agent or landlord.. Ask whether the landlord will cover regular pest control, or if he will pay for … And while the specific questions you ask may be particular to your location and situation, regardless of where you’re planning on renting here are 10 questions … Here is the list of must ask questions during apartment … Landlords or potential landlords will likely want to ask you a few appropriate questions. Another issue is the location of the home or apartment. Pest problems, like insects and rodents, are more common in basement apartments as well. 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