The Search

First of all, do it yourself! Most landlords who have a history of renting to young people also have a history of dealing with parents. If your parents are too involved in the process, a landlord may not be willing to deal with you–after all, you’re the one who is going to be signing the lease whether you’re paying for the place or not. Moving on…

Upon the initial search for your new apartment, it’s perfectly reasonable to check any source you deem necessary; however, if you’re trying to be frugal, you may want to limit yourself to just a few sources. If you are still a student, or just recently graduated, you should still have access to your school’s housing listings. The listing should include the price per month, amount of the security deposit, the number of rooms, amenities, (inclusion of) utilities, etc.

Going to more commercial sites such as Rent.com will most likely bring up more expensive apartment complexes. These housing complexes may request a fee, a background check, and a couple references–which may not be worth the hassle if you’re in more of a hurry or on a budget. Your best bet is to check free sites such as craigslist.com and your school’s housing website or department. You can call/e-mail a landlord, set up an appointment and get a walk-through of the apartment. But unless you keep some things in mind, a landlord can slip a few things by you even during the walk-through.

When searching for an apartment, you must already have an understanding of what you’re willing to accept. This may seem mildly abysmal, but those who have experience renting to young people know that there are some things young people just aren’t going to notice during the initial search–or even the tour. In turn, this means you must already have some idea of what the neighborhood entails. Is there a grocery store nearby? A pharmacy? An elementary school? A bar? A park? These things will determine the amount of money the landlord thinks he can get out of you. For instance, an apartment may be expensive simply because it’s close to a train station, meaning less driving or walking for the tenant–landlords think about these things, and so should you. (A quick search through Google Maps or Mapquest should give you a decent idea of what to expect from the neighborhood.)

Of course, everyone wants that elegant/professional first apartment, but do not disregard apartments situated on top of other facilities. Living on top of a deli, a bar, or a small restaurant will most likely be much cheaper, due to the place’s potential lack of aesthetic value. If basic utilities, such as gas and electricity, are connected to the establishment downstairs, you may not have to pay for them!

The Tour

A landlord should not ask for any financial information unless you are definitely going to sign the lease–which should be done in person with all concerned parties present.

Before embarking on the tour itself, make sure your potential apartment-mates are free for the scheduled appointment. While it’s not the biggest of mistakes to go on a guided tour of an apartment alone, if you find the place especially intriguing and you’re the only one there, you may have to reschedule additional appointments for everyone else in order for a decision to be made. During the tumult of calling your pals on your cell, someone already took the place and is now measuring the floors for future interior design endeavors.

This may seem quite obvious, but try to concern yourself with the cleanliness of the previous occupants. This could be due to a number of reasons–either they weren’t told enough time in advance, or they didn’t care enough to freshen the place up. Landlords typically clean an apartment before the next tenants move in–but when you’re dealing with the landlords of students, you should still retain some healthy cynicism. If you stride into a place that’s a little nasty, just turn to the landlord and ask, “Is this place going to be cleaned before the next tenants move in?” Asking questions during an apartment tour is imperative.

Do not be fooled by landlords who schedule multiple groups of eager young people for a house/apartment tour. They are not completely bogged down by calls and absolutely no one is throwing money at them. Landlords do this to create the illusion of big demand and little supply. Succumbing to this pressure will distract you from observing vital aspects of your search.

The Apartment

Lastly, here are a few things to pay attention to during the tour of your first potential apartment. Make sure the windows are sealed properly/professionally. Not only might this serve as a security risk, but if you (the tenant) are responsible for paying utility bills, then much of your money could literally go out the window. Cold apartments are hard to heat, using more energy to retain a certain temperature–the more energy you’re using, the more money you’re losing. Be sure to inspect all entrances to the apartment. Each door should have both a deadlock and a key-operated lock for added security.

On a somewhat lighter note, make sure the kitchen has enough cabinet space to house all of the potential occupant’s wares and appliances. If your apartment complies with these guidelines, you should have an enjoyable first experience.