Best Questions to Ask Before Renting an Apartment
The San Francisco Bay Area is famous for its amazing culture and diversity. The cities are full of energy and vibrancy. People come here to work, have fun and live life to the fullest. The Bay Area has numerous distinct qualities. It’s known for its rich history, thriving economy, technology parks, and beautiful views.
Many apartments in the Bay area have convenient and quick access to major cities via the BART, which makes them so attractive to live in. However, finding a suitable apartment in this metro area requires a little level-headedness. There are a few important things you need to know before signing a lease.
The great news is that we’ve put together seven of the most important questions to ask before renting an apartment in the Bay Area.
What to Know Before Renting an Apartment
You absolutely must ask these questions before you move in:
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How much is rent?
Before renting an apartment in the East Bay area, find out how much the rent will be and how often it should be paid. Find out if rent should be paid monthly or if you are required to pay for a couple of months, and see if you can commit. Ask the landlord what happens in case you are late paying the rent. Find out if you risk facing any penalties.
Also, ask if the water, electricity and any other utility bills are included in the rent.
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What about the deposit?
Ask your landlord how much you are supposed to pay as a deposit for the apartment. Is it a fraction of a month’s rent or does it equal a couple of months’ rent? Ask the landlord if you will get a refund of your deposit when your lease ends or when you move out of the building. Find out what factors may hinder you from getting your refund back at the end of your lease.
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Who does maintenance?
Who fixes things around the house when they break or need repairs? Who covers the cost of repairs? Is it the tenant or the landlord? Does the landlord have a specific maintenance person who can be contacted at any time or can you call any contractor to help with the maintenance? If the Landlord has a specific contractor, will he give you his contact details or do you have to inform him to call the contractor?
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Are there penalties for breaking the lease?
If case you change jobs and you are expected to move to a different town, what happens when you move out before your lease period is over? Are there any penalties you risk if you break the lease?
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Are pets allowed?
If you are a pet lover, be sure to ask if the apartment you are moving into allows pets or if they have a no-pet policy. Is there an extra charge for having pets in the building?
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Am I allowed to decorate?
Are you allowed to redecorate your house or is there a no-redecorating policy? What are the dos and don’ts when decorating an apartment?
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Termination of lease
The landlord can decide to terminate your lease. Find out from the landlord what circumstances may lead to them terminating your lease to ensure you understand the full terms of your agreement.
Find Your New Home at a Marcotte Properties Apartment
Renting an apartment in the Bay Area can be quite tasking due to the number of points you need to check off with every landlord you meet. However, with Marcotte Properties, you can schedule a tour and learn more about various properties with the assistance of our agents. We are here to help you and ensure you receive high quality service at an affordable price.
To learn more about our apartments, give us a call today at (510) 887-7581 or reach out to us through our contact page today.
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