Wilson Property Management

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What to Consider Before Renting an Apartment

There are several houses for rent in Raleigh, NC, but you need to be clear about a few things before you decide to rent one. If you’re considering apartments for rent in Raleigh, NC, here’s a guide to what you should consider beforehand.

Cost

What an apartment will cost you is the first thing you need to consider. You want to make sure that the cost fits within your budget so that you make the regular monthly payments expected. You also need to clarify what utilities are included in the rent amount and which ones require additional payment. Be sure to ask when and how rent is collected and get clarity on maintenance charges and repair costs that need to be paid.   

Quality

Make sure you’re happy about the quality of the apartment before you buy it. For this, you need to see it in person. Smaller issues like a wall with scratches or broken blinds are fixable but keep an eye out for the more serious issues that can compromise your safety and health, like:

  • Pests
  • Mold and rust
  • Water problems and leaky faucets
  • Dirty air filters
  • Electrical issues

Shared or Personal

Depending on your budget and preferences, you need to determine if you are okay with a shared apartment with roommates or if you’d like your own personal space. 

Location

Location is another major consideration. You should understand the general demographic of the neighborhood and look up the safety statistics in the area. You must also consider how accessible the location is to other places you need to visit, such as:

  • Your workplace
  • Schools & colleges
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Shopping centers

Apart from proximity to such places, you must also find out about the state of traffic in the area and parking facility available. 

Pet Policy

Check if the apartment you want to rent allows pets or not. If they do, find out what the pet policy is and whether or not you’ll be required to pay a pet deposit. If you already have a pet or plan to adopt one in the future, this detail will be a very important consideration. 

Facilities

The availability of certain facilities needs to be considered before you rent an apartment. These include:

  • Gym
  • Security
  • Elevator
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Internet
  • Stove
  • Other facilities  

Freedom to Decorate

Many apartments require that you maintain them in their original condition, so check about whether or not you can decorate the apartment to your liking. In situations where you cannot, it’s important to choose an apartment that matches your style and taste so that you feel more at home in it.    

Guest Policy

Some apartments may have certain restrictions and rules regarding guests staying over that you need to know about. Finding out about the guest policy in advance can protect you from having unpleasant experiences later on. 

Landlord & Neighbors

If you will be renting an apartment, you don’t want to be running into trouble with the landlord or your neighbors. Meeting with them and getting the opinions of previous tenants can give you a realistic idea of what to expect with the landlord as well as neighbors. 

Contact Wilson Property Management today to find houses for rent in Raleigh, NC!