Renting an apartment, do you read reviews?

[Thespeckledkiwi]

I am kind of curious about this as I am looking to move out on my own but I kind of wonder, if you're looking for an apartment, do you read any reviews? Or do you just choose the best priced, in the best area kind of thing?

The one problem, that I have learned is this; the majority of the reviews will be bad simply because those that had a bad experience make it more vocal.

So you do investigate or do you just go with the best that is out there?

 

[Amaris]

I do investigate. I've written some also.
I will say this; no matter where you move, get renter's insurance. Trust me.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

I know that heh, my friend warned me.

 

[RoJoHen]

The one problem, that I have learned is this; the majority of the reviews will be bad simply because those that had a bad experience make it more vocal.

I definitely find this to be the case. If you don't have anything bad to say about a place, you're less likely to speak up.

I guess a lot of it also depends on how long you're planning to live there. Are you trying to settle down, or is it a temporary thing until something better comes along?

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Depends on how my life turns out. Right now, just drifting by. I could live in my car if it had a bathroom.

 

[RoJoHen]

I say find a place (or places) in your price range, ask to go on a tour and check it out, and then pick which one you like best. Also see what the penalty is in case you need to pre-maturely break your lease.

 

[Captain Ice]

Seconded on the renter's insurance.

Yes, you should read the reviews beforehand. Call the local BBB and check to see what they have to say about the apartment communities in your area.

Also, you need to go and look at a lot of different places. Take a pad of paper with you when you actually look inside the model unit. Write down anything that you like or dislike, your thoughts on the place, how much the rent would be, and anything out of the ordinary. At the end of each day that you look, sit down, look at your notes, and rank the complexes you saw that day in comparison to the others you'd seen.

A tip that was passed on to me one of the times I was looking: Walk through the parking lot and note both how old the cars you see are, as well as what state of repair they're in. This tells a lot about how well maintained the units themselves will be as well as what the crime rate can be expected to be.

 

[RoJoHen]

Also, you need to go and look at a lot of different places.

Or you could pick the first place you find.

It's worked all right for me so far.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Thanks guys. I have a few places that I am looking at right now. My area is pretty good.

 

[WillsBabe]

Ask the landlord/letting agent why the place has become free. How long were the previous tennats there? And the ones before them. Is there a quick turn over of tenants? Does the landlord have any problems with the neighbours? These questions can often give you an insight into what a property and the local area is like.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I've never actually lived in an apartment complex. I've always either rented a house from a landlord, roomed with people, or (as I am doing now) rented an apartment in a small building.

Since there aren't typically reviews on this sort of thing, I check out the neighborhood, ask around about the landlord (if possible), and so forth. I did ask my current landlord why the previous tenants left. They'd lived in the apartment for over 10 years and saved up to buy a house. The other people in my apartment building are older, and mostly immigrants. They're quiet and they keep to themselves.

This is in contrast with the first apartment I looked at, which was on a dead end street in a very noisy and questionable neighborhood, and even the lady who came to show it to me seemed kinda nervous about being there. And there was yelling going on inside the building as I went up the stairs. Yeah, I passed on that one.

Also, try Rentometer to make sure you're getting a good deal.

 

[Smiley]

Reviews do skew negative online, but you should at least skim them to see if there is a common thread among the complaints. More important is a detailed inspection of the apartment that you will occupy, scouting of the grounds and general area, and conversation with the landlord and other tenants.

 

[TheBrew]

That's a cool site. I found out that my rent is reasonable for the area, in the lower 30%.

 

[SmoothieX]

You could do it the old fashioned way and actually go do a walkthrough of the place...

 

[The Sneeze Police]

Check crime statistics. If you know a police officer, ask them about any issues with the complex. In this area, some apartment complexes give deals to police officers to live in the complex. They bring their cars home and make great neighbors.

I lived in an older complex which didn't look as flashy as some newer complexes but the property owners maintained it diligently...and it showed. During a walk through make sure you look at an actual unit and not their "model".

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

did a few walk throughs. It's going to be tough. I can essentially move around the area in around a 10 mile radius between my job and my current house and be okay.

 

[RoJoHen]

If you have several acceptable options, I would look at the little things:

Laundry
Cabinet and counter space in the kitchen
Appliances (are they new? electric or gas stove?)
Distance from shopping centers
Available parking (if you drive)
Location of the mailbox (Sounds silly, but in my last place my mailbox was outside on the other side of the building, and I rarely checked it. In this place, it's right inside the front door, so I check it daily)

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Lots of them come with laundry hookups.

Funny thing is, I found another two apartment complexes in my price range and both have gotten good reviews. One is a little further out of my way...but still close to where I work essentially.

 

[RoJoHen]

Honestly, lack of counterspace is one of my biggest pet-peeves about an apartment. I need lots of room to work.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

I have a question; I could live in my car. Is there a place where I can live in my car and yet have facilities?