Moving from apartment to duplex in Sacramento (apartment complex, rentals)

[daveguy001]

I'm considering moving from an apartment to a duplex (renting) for more quiet, privacy, etc. and wondered what issues I should be aware of. I'd want something safe, preferably with on-site mgmt. and fenced in. I feel safer in an apt. because it's an enclosed complex with mgmt., etc. Can I get something similar in a duplex? What about maintenance, noise, costs, and similar issues? Are there agents that will help find them for you? Thanks for any help you can give me.

[wburg]

Typically a duplex won't have on-site management, nor will you be enclosed. It's more like living in a house, just sharing a wall. Utilities typically cost a bit more because you have fewer shared walls and thus more places to leak heat/cold.

[daveguy001]

Thanks wburg. I don't imagine they'd have paid maintenance either? I have heard of managed house rentals with on-site maintenance, but I could be wrong.

[wburg]

That varies--typically a duplex owned by a management company will have some sort of yard maintenance service. It's a good question to ask up front--if you don't mind doing a little gardening, you can save some rent. On the other hand, if you hate gardening (and if you live in an apartment, probably don't own a lawnmower) it might be worth the money to rent a place that has gardening done--again, a good reason to ask.

When it comes to things like fixing the broken water heater/hole in roof, that's the landlord's deal. Since a duplex is basically a free-standing house with two units, it's not really feasible to have an on-site maintenance person living in one unit and a tenant in the other, unless it's a big "complex" of duplex buildings, in which case it's probably more like an apartment complex anyhow.
So there will be someone to call if things break, but odds are it will be someone at the landlord's office rather than someone regularly on-site.