The next two weeks, the “Basic Focus” is all about Shelter.  Week one is about moving into a new place, and week two will be all about cleaning.

Note: as this is a “basics” blog, and most people begin with moving into an apartment rather than a condo or house, that is the focus, however, all of the following can also be applied to other forms of dwelling.

So you are going to move into a new place? Congratulations! Now comes the tricky part. Finding, Applying, and Finally Moving IN.

Finding

There are two mindsets about this. The firsts, and I have done this, is finding the cheapest place that you stand to live in on Craigslist. (or the very old fashioned way of checking the newspaper ads) Craigslist will allow you to choose the location, the number of bedrooms/bathrooms and the price limits. It is a very handy tool to use when apartment hunting.

The second mindset is location based. You pick (or know) of a place you want to live and either drive around or look online for apartments in that area that are for rent.

Either way is a perfectly valid way to choose. I also recommend that you check the Walkability score  , the crime reporting for your area and also the Megan’s Law website.  These will give you a pretty good snapshot of what it is like to live where you want to live.   Keep in mind that as a rule, higher crime areas will be cheaper, lower crime areas will be more expensive and if the apartment complex is “protected”: security guards/patrols, secured parking, inside only access, you will be more secure even in a high crime area.

Applying

Now that you have selected a place to live, you need to go through the application process. Take some time before hand to research the following factors:

• How much can they make you pay for a security deposit. Most states have laws that allow the landlord to only charge 1.5 times the amount of monthly rent. Some are higher and some are lower.
• How much can they make you pay for a credit check. At least in California, landlords are allowed to charge (at the time of this writing) up to $45.00 for a credit check.
• How much can they add to your rent for things like pets. Pet Rent – an extra monthly charge for pets, is completely legal. Pet Deposits – an extra deposit charged to replace damage done by pets is also legal. Make sure you know all about any “hidden” charges before you fall in love with the place.

Note: A lot of landlords will have a list of pets they do not allow. These range from specific breeds of dogs, to “outdoor” cats, to reptiles and large aquariums. If you are attached to your pets, as most of us are, make sure you get into a pet friendly place.

Here is the number one requirement for applying to a new place. BE HONEST. If you have no established credit, or even bad credit, let the landlord know up front. Most of them are willing to work with you in order to get a body in the building. Some may require an additional deposit…to be paid over time and applied back to your rent after a specified time period, say a year.

Note: If you paid the max for your credit check and the landlord contacts you to let you know you did not qualify, make sure to ask for a copy of your credit check. If they don’t give you one, you may want to take some sort of action as they may not have run the check…and just pocketed the money. That is not a place you would want to live anyway.

Part of the application process is taking the tour. Before you even sign that first document, the landlord or apartment manager will walk you through the prospective apartment. Aside from noting how big it is, here is a list of things you must do:

• Check every source of running water. You are checking to make sure the water runs clear, that it heats up quickly enough, and that there are no clogs in any drains.
• Check all light switches. Make sure all the lights have bulbs in them – that work.
• Check all windows and doors – make sure they all open and close properly. (including screens!)
• Check the walls and rugs and countertops for stains. Be especially aware if there is still furniture in the apartment that it may be covering stains. Be assured that you will charged to fix these when you move out. We will go over this in more detail in tomorrow’s post “Moving In”.
• Electrical outlets. If have the time and patience, it is also a good thing to check to make sure that all the electrical outlets work. This can be done on move in day, so it is not that important to do during the tour.

If you have a letter of reference from a boss, or even better a former landlord, be sure to submit a copy of this with your application. Additionally, if you have a pet, try to get a letter or good behavior from a vet.

Tomorrow…the move in process.

-Auntie Zia