Renting Your First Apartment – The Need To Knows!

Finding your first apartment is an exciting milestone. You finally have a space all your own to do whatever you want – from decorating your living room however you like to hosting a dinner party for all your friends. Like many of you, I found my first apartment hunt to be overwhelming and stressful. This step-by-step guide can help you navigate the search and find the perfect first place.

  1. Establish your rental budget.

Budget GrowthThe last thing you want to do is get stuck in an apartment you can’t afford, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. A general rule of thumb is that you should never pay more than 30 percent of your take-home pay on housing, including utilities, Internet and cable. If you have limited funds and are finding it difficult to find an apartment within your budget, you may want to consider getting a roommate to share expenses.


  1. Determine which neighborhoods work for you.

Houston_map_NeighborhoodsYou should feel safe and happy in your neighborhood. Think about what you need (for example, grocery store, gym, public transportation) and how far you’re willing to travel for it. If you’re not working nearby, you’ll also need to consider your commute to and from the office.  We’re working on a blog post of the best Houston area neighborhoods. Stay tuned!


  1. List your must-have apartment amenities.

the_belvedere_Spring_Houston_apartmentsBefore you start your apartment search, determine which amenities are must-haves and which are conveniences you can live without. Keep in mind that you may need to make some concessions to stay within your budget. Some common must-have apartment amenities include on-site or in-unit laundry, a dishwasher, parking spot (or two if you have a roommate), an outdoor space, air conditioning,  fitness center or community pool.


  1. Start your rental search.

houston_apartment_rentalOnce you know what you’re looking for and how much you can afford, start searching for apartments. Try looking at apartments.com, using Google Maps near your favorite neighborhoods, or even contact realtors.  Contact properties that seem like a good fit to set up appointments for tours. Ask people or places you trust, like your favorite storage property in Houston, for recommendations. :-)


  1. Tour apartments that meet your search criteria and budget.

apartment_in_budgetThis is your potential home, so treat your first visit like an inspection. Turn on all the faucets to make sure the pressure is to your liking and gauge how long it takes for water to heat up. Check the locks on the doors and windows of the apartment to ensure they work properly. Bring along a phone charger so you can check that all the outlets are working. If there is laundry on-site, ask to see the facility to make sure it is conveniently located and you feel safe.


  1. Be prepared to fill out a rental application and pay a small fee.

apartment_rental_contractWhen you go to view apartments, you should be prepared to fill out a rental application, especially if you live in a city with a rental market where apartment shopping is competitive. Bring your checkbook for the application fee, a check stub to prove your income and a photo ID.


  1. Read your apartment lease (and make sure you understand it) before you sign on the dotted line.

read_contract_lease_apartmentWhen you find a great apartment, you may be tempted to just go ahead and sign, but not carefully reading your apartment lease can lead to trouble down the road. It’s a legal document that shouldn’t be taken lightly.


As you read through your apartment lease, make sure it answers the following questions:

  • Are pets allowed, and if so, is there a deposit or pet rent required?
  • Are there restrictions on the number of roommates?
  • What is the apartment maintenance process?
  • Are you allowed to make any customizations, like hanging shelves or painting walls?
  • Which utilities are you responsible for paying?
  • What are the consequences of breaking your lease before the term is up?
  • If any of these questions are unanswered, ask your new landlord to put the answers in writing before you sign the lease.

 Note: You should also make sure any pre-existing damage to the apartment is detailed in your lease so you aren’t held responsible when you move out. Take time-stamped photos to document any damage as well. You don’t want to be liable for the dents and dings and lose that security deposit! This is some of the best advice I can give you!


Post By Ashley

Ashley is the Administrative Assistant at the Corporate Offices of Amazing Spaces.  She’s been a member of the A-Team since October 2014.  Ashley is known throughout the office for her happy smile and positive attitude.  Ashley is a vegetarian and has pretty Amazing style. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and Ashley would be happy to respond! 

6 Responses to “Renting Your First Apartment – The Need To Knows!”

  1. Olivia Smart
    December 5, 2022 at 12:57 pm

    Thank you for your suggestion to ask about the maintenance process for the apartment. My sisters and I are all looking for a good apartment for our mom. We’ve been wondering what she may need to do for upkeep, so we’ll be sure to include this question when we all go on tours.

    Reply
  2. Rajproperties
    December 29, 2022 at 6:26 am

    Really great post. I visit your site for the first time and will definitely be back to search more contents like this.

    Reply
  3. Jessie Holloway
    January 9, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    I like how you point out how important it is to know your “must-have amenities” when searching for an apartment. My younger cousin is getting to the point where she’s financially stable enough to move out and she wants to rent an apartment. We’ll have to look into finding one that fits all her needs so she’s happy where she ends up. https://cysapartments.com/affordable-apartments

    Reply
  4. Lily Bridgers
    May 2, 2023 at 7:53 am

    I appreciate how you emphasize the significance of being aware of your “must-have amenities” when looking for an apartment. My younger cousin is approaching the stage when she is ready to move out on her own and is looking to rent an apartment. So that she is pleased wherever she ends up, we’ll have to look into locating one that meets all of her needs.

    Reply
  5. Elina Brooks
    June 20, 2023 at 5:23 am

    I’ll be staying in Kaanapali starting this August for around two months, so I was thinking of renting a serviced apartment for my stay there since I will certainly need comfortable accommodation other than a hotel. It was a helpful piece of advice when you told us to establish our rental budget first before we start apartment hunting by making sure we will never pay more than 30% of our take-home pay on housing, including its utilities. I’ll take note of this while I look for a vacation condominium rental to consider for my stay in Kaanapali this August.

    Reply
  6. Lily Bridgers
    August 4, 2023 at 7:11 pm

    I appreciate your advice to inquire about the apartment’s maintenance schedule. We are all looking for a suitable furnished apartment for rent for our mother, my sisters and I included. When we all go on tours, we’ll make sure to bring up the question because we’ve been wondering what she might need to do for maintenance.

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    Reply

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