Renting may be a good decision if you are not yet ready or able to purchase a home. But before you sign a rental agreement, there are a few things to consider:
Pets
If you are a pet owner, you will certainly be on the hunt for an apartment that allows pets. But you should also be aware that many apartments only allow pets up to a certain size or weight. I had a friend who had to move from her apartment after her puppy began to grow much larger than she thought it would. As the apartment building only allowed pet up to 30 pounds, and her growing puppy was quickly topping 50 pounds, she had to uproot and find a new apartment, right in the middle of her lease.
Also, if you don’t have pets, be aware of apartment buildings Downtown Austin that do allow pets. Do you really want to hear barking dogs at 3AM, or are you prepared to hear the near-constant foot traffic of pet owners taking their dogs in and out for walks during the day?
Cell Phone Service
Many renters are forgoing landlines and instead opting to make their cell phones their primary phone lines. However, not all areas are great for cell phone service, so it would be quite inconvenient to move into an apartment, only to find out that you couldn’t receive reliable cell phone service from inside your home. Bust out the cell phone during your initial walkthrough so you can make sure all systems are go for your cell phone service.
Utilities
If you are moving into an apartment, one of the most important things you can ask is what utilities are included in the monthly lease rate. Many renters don’t consider the high cost of some utilities when determining their rental budget, thereby leaving them in a financial conundrum the first time they receive their electric bill. Ask the landlord for a utility estimate, and ask neighbors about their average utility bills before signing a rental agreement so you can be sure you are still within your budget. Posted by Richard Soto on
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