Tips for Renters (apartment complex, lease, inspection, carpet)

[SandyCo]

I'm helping a friend of mine move back to L.A. from Canada, so I'm being her eyes, so to speak. Here are some useful tips:

1. Look at the way the outside of the building is kept, including the landscaping, condition of the pool, etc. If it doesn't look good, if there's trash all over the place, etc., there's a good chance that you'll have trouble with even routine maintenance issues.

2. If the owner/manager is too lazy/cheap to thoroughly clean the carpet and remove any stains, replace the scratched and worn linoleum in the kitchen, etc. then again, routine maintenance issues probably aren't high on their priority list.

3. If the apartment complex itself seems a bit "tired", if there are children running around screaming with no supervision, etc., then you might not want to live there even if the apartment you're looking at has hard wood floors, granite counter tops, etc.

4. If an apartment manager/owner is willing to show you an apartment that has dozens of dead roaches on the counter tops (yes, this really happened to me once!), you might not want to live there.

5. If the apartment has no central air, be sure the windows don't face east and west unless there are huge trees overhead providing shade.

6. After you've seen the apartment, come back another day and ask other renters if they like living there, and what they really think.

7. Don't pick an apartment on a busy street unless you like hearing traffic, people honking, etc. at all hours of the day and night.

8. Amenities like a pool and an elevator are less important than a quiet, well managed building.

9. If there are abandoned cars on the street or nearby, you might want to continue your search.

10. If it makes you shudder to think of the manager having keys to your apartment, that's probably not the place for you.

Please feel free to add to this list!

[SXMGirl]

If people can see in your apartment (too close or a fire escape by your windows), look elsewhere.

Hire someone to come in and scan for hidden cameras.

Make sure access doors and garages are kept locked. If the locks are broken, look elsewhere.

[ESFP]

Sit on the porch on a Friday night and watch the neighborhood. If you feel uncomfortable about the "element", imagine living there.

[pitt_transplant]

-Check the BBB for consumer complaints on your LL or Company.
-Call the health dept to see of issued vermin complaints/history
-Make sure there is a cost effective way to end the lease if needed
-If you are near ground or fire escape research security bars that open from the inside (mr.goodbar)
-Change your smoke alarm batteries first thing
-Check under the sink,fridge, stove and behind the toilet for roaches
-Know signs of roaches, bedbugs or rodent problems
-Ask to change the lock after you move in. That way you know its done
-Get apt insurance if you cant afford to replace your stuff (theft,water damage, fire)
-Look for a 24 hour maintaince phone number for your building
-Search for sex offenders in your area (google it : watchdog)
-Check the "walkscore" of your area - tells your how close everything is (google: walkscore)
-Do a walkthru checklist when you move in to note damages with your LL and photo proof room by room.
-Do not accept a "show apt" and sign a lease for a different unit
-contact your local city council to see about building inspection reports to see what the structure gives you for sound dampening qualities (or lack of them)

Thats all I can think for now...

[SXMGirl]

Don't go by yourself to view the apartment. Make sure someone is with you. If that isn't possible, have your cell phone on and let others know where you are going and when you expect to return. Can't be too careful these days.