xeg
10.01.2009, 19:06
1/2 Tips for renting an apartment for newcomer to USA
To find information about available apartments, you can look in the Immihelp Yellow Pages, the classified sections of newspapers, or rental guides available at various stores. You can also get similar information about the apartments online at places like Move (http://www.move.com/apartments/main.aspx). You can also browse the Immihelp Classifieds. Ask friends and relatives or people at your job if they know of places to rent. Look for "Apartment Available" or "For Rent" signs on buildings. You can call a local real estate agent, and many can be found in the Immihelp Yellow Pages.
People who rent out apartments or homes are called "landlords." They are typically large rental companies. A landlord may ask you to fill out a rental application form to check to see if you have the money to pay the rent. The application form may ask for a Social Security Number and proof that you are working. You can use your LPR card (or other visa such as an H1, L1) if you do not yet have a Social Security Number. You can also show a pay stub from your job to prove you are working and making money. You may also be asked to pay a small application fee, especially in a hot rental market or in a large complex. If you are not yet working or don't have sufficient income, you may need someone to sign the rental agreement with you. This person is called a "co-signer." If you cannot pay the rent, the co-signer will have to pay the rent for you.
Apartments are generally unfurnished. In other words, they will not come with a bed, mattress, sofa, dining table, etc. If you are going to be in a particular place for a short duration, like a few months on a company project, it may be a good idea to explore the option of a furnished apartment.
Tips for Apartment Inspection Prior to Moving In (http://www.immihelp.com/newcomer/apartment-rental-pre-move-in-inspection-tips.html)
Apartment vs. Condominium
In an apartment complex, all the buildings are owned by one company and all tenants rent. Condominiums are places where every housing unit is owned by individuals, similar to flats in India. In a condominium complex, the people living there could be house owners or people who rent from the original owners. If you rent a condominium, you pay rent to that individual owner and deal with any issues through them. You would also have to pay a homeowner's association fee (something like $40 to $60/month) that takes care of trash removal, lawn maintenance, snow removal, etc.
Neighborhood
Before renting an apartment, check out the neighborhood. Are there any safety issues? If you see iron bars on windows of private homes or apartments, that may be a warning sign. If you see graffiti (spray painted words or pictures) on neighborhood walls, alleys, or apartment buildings, that may not be a good neighborhood. If you see trash lying around the area, take note. Within the apartment building itself, if common areas like the laundry room, stairs, elevators, hallways, lobby, or parking lots are dirty and filled with trash, it may be possible that landlord is not taking care of the apartments properly. It also speaks to the quality of people living there.
Also consider the factors like street noise, privacy, lack of view, and natural light. Apartments near public transport (bus station, train station) are in higher demand and more expensive.
Schools
Most children go to public schools, which are run by the county. Children will need to go to their school according to the jurisdiction of their residence. Before moving in, if you have kids who are of school age, find out how good the schools are for that apartment building. This may be the single most important decision you make in selecting an apartment.
Lease
An apartment can usually be leased for a term of 1 year or 6 months. By signing a long-term lease, both you and the landlord are agreeing to your long-term occupancy. It is also possible to get a month-to-month rental, but your rent will most likely be higher. In addition, the landlord may decide not renew your rental and force you to vacate the apartment.
You should carefully review the apartment lease agreement. It is a legally binding document. Also, it is your only proof of residency in a particular place. Your landlord is required to give you a copy of the agreement.
Apartment rental agreements may include:
Rental amounts and terms.
Amount of deposit (usually one month's rent). Ask whether they can put your deposit in an interest-bearing account so you can make some money on it. There may be different state laws regarding how the security deposit is treated.
Damage deposit (usually $200 to $250). When you move out, if your apartment is in the same condition (except normal wear and tear) as when you rented it, you will get your deposit back. The a greement should also specify when they will return your deposit.
Key deposits for several things like the main door, locked gates, mailbox, or parking lot entryways. It may vary from $10 to $50 and more.
Whether pets are allowed (if so, the amount of extra deposit, if any).
Length of occupancy such as 12 months, 6 months, etc.
Rules of conduct while living in the apartment.
Guest policy.
Parking policy. You may need to park in designated parking space or anywhere you choose. If anywhere, you may be given stickers to put on your car so that they can recognize that they are your cars. There may be restrictions on how many cars you can park in the lot.
Amount of rent to be paid and its monthly due date.
Termination requirements.
Whether any subletting is allowed, and, if so, the subletting rules.
What utilities are included in the rent.
If there are any repairs to be completed by the landlord before you move in, due dates for the same.
A statement that the landlord has a right to enter at reasonable times to inspect, for maintenance (like AC filter change), and to make repairs. However, the landlord can't enter without your prior permission.
Breaking a Lease
Before you sign the lease, understand the terms for lease breaking (or termination) very clearly. You may have to give 1 or 2 months advance notice (or pay rent for 1 or 2 months) and/or you may lose your security deposit. Also, sometimes the landlord may charge you one month extra rent (or for each month until your lease is over) if they can't find someone else to rent your apartment during the 1 or 2 months' notice you give. You must have everything clarified in advance. It is even more important in a slow housing market, lacking economy, or in an area where there is more housing available than demand.
In a booming economy or where there is a housing shortage or just simply too much demand for particular apartments, the landlord may be able to waive some or all of your charges or notice period if they can quickly find someone else to rent your apartment. Of course, you can't rely on this.
Preferences
Depending on your need and budget, you will have to look at various rental options and decide accordingly. Depending on your family size, you may require a certain size apartment. If you have a one bedroom apartment, only two people can live there. If you have a child, you can't stay in a one bedroom apartment. You'll need to get either a two bedroom apartment or a one bedroom apartment with a den (a den is a smaller room without closets). You can keep up to two children in one bedroom. Therefore, if you have more than two children, you will need a three bedroom apartment.
Rent is usually less for basement apartments (below ground level) compared to first or second floor. People generally prefer to avoid basement apartments because there is more outside noise, lack of privacy, and lack of daylight. Therefore, a landlord should tell you that only basement apartments are available. Inquire further to find out whether there are other apartments available. If you are not comfortable with that, look somewhere else. If you decide to move in anyway, it is possible that you may find out later that other apartments were available.
You should generally not spend more than 30 percent of your take home salary on rent. This, of course, can vary based on your needs and circumstances.
...
Source: www.immihelp.com
To find information about available apartments, you can look in the Immihelp Yellow Pages, the classified sections of newspapers, or rental guides available at various stores. You can also get similar information about the apartments online at places like Move (http://www.move.com/apartments/main.aspx). You can also browse the Immihelp Classifieds. Ask friends and relatives or people at your job if they know of places to rent. Look for "Apartment Available" or "For Rent" signs on buildings. You can call a local real estate agent, and many can be found in the Immihelp Yellow Pages.
People who rent out apartments or homes are called "landlords." They are typically large rental companies. A landlord may ask you to fill out a rental application form to check to see if you have the money to pay the rent. The application form may ask for a Social Security Number and proof that you are working. You can use your LPR card (or other visa such as an H1, L1) if you do not yet have a Social Security Number. You can also show a pay stub from your job to prove you are working and making money. You may also be asked to pay a small application fee, especially in a hot rental market or in a large complex. If you are not yet working or don't have sufficient income, you may need someone to sign the rental agreement with you. This person is called a "co-signer." If you cannot pay the rent, the co-signer will have to pay the rent for you.
Apartments are generally unfurnished. In other words, they will not come with a bed, mattress, sofa, dining table, etc. If you are going to be in a particular place for a short duration, like a few months on a company project, it may be a good idea to explore the option of a furnished apartment.
Tips for Apartment Inspection Prior to Moving In (http://www.immihelp.com/newcomer/apartment-rental-pre-move-in-inspection-tips.html)
Apartment vs. Condominium
In an apartment complex, all the buildings are owned by one company and all tenants rent. Condominiums are places where every housing unit is owned by individuals, similar to flats in India. In a condominium complex, the people living there could be house owners or people who rent from the original owners. If you rent a condominium, you pay rent to that individual owner and deal with any issues through them. You would also have to pay a homeowner's association fee (something like $40 to $60/month) that takes care of trash removal, lawn maintenance, snow removal, etc.
Neighborhood
Before renting an apartment, check out the neighborhood. Are there any safety issues? If you see iron bars on windows of private homes or apartments, that may be a warning sign. If you see graffiti (spray painted words or pictures) on neighborhood walls, alleys, or apartment buildings, that may not be a good neighborhood. If you see trash lying around the area, take note. Within the apartment building itself, if common areas like the laundry room, stairs, elevators, hallways, lobby, or parking lots are dirty and filled with trash, it may be possible that landlord is not taking care of the apartments properly. It also speaks to the quality of people living there.
Also consider the factors like street noise, privacy, lack of view, and natural light. Apartments near public transport (bus station, train station) are in higher demand and more expensive.
Schools
Most children go to public schools, which are run by the county. Children will need to go to their school according to the jurisdiction of their residence. Before moving in, if you have kids who are of school age, find out how good the schools are for that apartment building. This may be the single most important decision you make in selecting an apartment.
Lease
An apartment can usually be leased for a term of 1 year or 6 months. By signing a long-term lease, both you and the landlord are agreeing to your long-term occupancy. It is also possible to get a month-to-month rental, but your rent will most likely be higher. In addition, the landlord may decide not renew your rental and force you to vacate the apartment.
You should carefully review the apartment lease agreement. It is a legally binding document. Also, it is your only proof of residency in a particular place. Your landlord is required to give you a copy of the agreement.
Apartment rental agreements may include:
Rental amounts and terms.
Amount of deposit (usually one month's rent). Ask whether they can put your deposit in an interest-bearing account so you can make some money on it. There may be different state laws regarding how the security deposit is treated.
Damage deposit (usually $200 to $250). When you move out, if your apartment is in the same condition (except normal wear and tear) as when you rented it, you will get your deposit back. The a greement should also specify when they will return your deposit.
Key deposits for several things like the main door, locked gates, mailbox, or parking lot entryways. It may vary from $10 to $50 and more.
Whether pets are allowed (if so, the amount of extra deposit, if any).
Length of occupancy such as 12 months, 6 months, etc.
Rules of conduct while living in the apartment.
Guest policy.
Parking policy. You may need to park in designated parking space or anywhere you choose. If anywhere, you may be given stickers to put on your car so that they can recognize that they are your cars. There may be restrictions on how many cars you can park in the lot.
Amount of rent to be paid and its monthly due date.
Termination requirements.
Whether any subletting is allowed, and, if so, the subletting rules.
What utilities are included in the rent.
If there are any repairs to be completed by the landlord before you move in, due dates for the same.
A statement that the landlord has a right to enter at reasonable times to inspect, for maintenance (like AC filter change), and to make repairs. However, the landlord can't enter without your prior permission.
Breaking a Lease
Before you sign the lease, understand the terms for lease breaking (or termination) very clearly. You may have to give 1 or 2 months advance notice (or pay rent for 1 or 2 months) and/or you may lose your security deposit. Also, sometimes the landlord may charge you one month extra rent (or for each month until your lease is over) if they can't find someone else to rent your apartment during the 1 or 2 months' notice you give. You must have everything clarified in advance. It is even more important in a slow housing market, lacking economy, or in an area where there is more housing available than demand.
In a booming economy or where there is a housing shortage or just simply too much demand for particular apartments, the landlord may be able to waive some or all of your charges or notice period if they can quickly find someone else to rent your apartment. Of course, you can't rely on this.
Preferences
Depending on your need and budget, you will have to look at various rental options and decide accordingly. Depending on your family size, you may require a certain size apartment. If you have a one bedroom apartment, only two people can live there. If you have a child, you can't stay in a one bedroom apartment. You'll need to get either a two bedroom apartment or a one bedroom apartment with a den (a den is a smaller room without closets). You can keep up to two children in one bedroom. Therefore, if you have more than two children, you will need a three bedroom apartment.
Rent is usually less for basement apartments (below ground level) compared to first or second floor. People generally prefer to avoid basement apartments because there is more outside noise, lack of privacy, and lack of daylight. Therefore, a landlord should tell you that only basement apartments are available. Inquire further to find out whether there are other apartments available. If you are not comfortable with that, look somewhere else. If you decide to move in anyway, it is possible that you may find out later that other apartments were available.
You should generally not spend more than 30 percent of your take home salary on rent. This, of course, can vary based on your needs and circumstances.
...
Source: www.immihelp.com