Questions to Ask Before Renting an Apartment
Renting in Abbotsford | May 3, 2018
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At BE Investments, we understand how stressful it can be to find the right rental apartment for your particular needs, especially when you are new to the Abbotsford area. That is why we have put together a list of questions to ask before renting an apartment.
1. Am I allowed to Decorate the Apartment?
In most cases, leases tend to stipulate that, when you move out, the rental apartment must be left in the same condition as they day you moved in. This means that you might have to get the landlords written permission before painting or decorating, especially if you are planning on driving nails into the wall to hang artwork or putting up wallpaper. Decorating without permission may mean risking the loss of your security deposit, so make sure to ask about decorating before signing a lease.
2. Are Pets Allowed in the Apartment?
A lot of rental apartments in the Abbotsford area outright forbid cats and dogs or stipulate the size of the pets allowed. Make sure to check the landlord’s policies and the fine print in the lease before bringing animals into your home. On the off chance that the landlord does allow pets, chances are that you will have to pay a pet security deposit.
3. How Does Parking Work?
If you are looking at renting in a building that has its own parking, you will most likely be assigned a specific parking stall. Consider confirming with the landlord which spot goes with your rental unit and if the parking spot is included in the monthly rent. It is also important to find out how reporting works in the building in case someone else parks in your assigned spot.
4. Are Utilities Included?
Since not all rental apartments in Abbotsford include utilities, it is always a good idea to find out which utilities are covered, and which are not. Make sure to ask if cable, gas, electric, and trash removal are covered and, if they are not, how much they will cost per month.
5. What Would it Take to Break the Lease?
Before signing a long-term lease, find out the penalties for breaking the lease under extenuating circumstances. In most cases, breaking a lease can result in you forfeiting your security deposit and any money the landlord holds in your name.
If you would like to learn more questions to ask before renting an apartment, or if you are interested in renting at one of our properties, please contact BE Investments at 604-855-0078 or by filling out a contact form on our website.
At BE Investments, we understand how stressful it can be to find the right rental apartment for your particular needs, especially when you are new to the Abbotsford area. That is why we have put together a list of questions to ask before renting an apartment.
1. Am I allowed to Decorate the Apartment?
In most cases, leases tend to stipulate that, when you move out, the rental apartment must be left in the same condition as they day you moved in. This means that you might have to get the landlords written permission before painting or decorating, especially if you are planning on driving nails into the wall to hang artwork or putting up wallpaper. Decorating without permission may mean risking the loss of your security deposit, so make sure to ask about decorating before signing a lease.
2. Are Pets Allowed in the Apartment?
A lot of rental apartments in the Abbotsford area outright forbid cats and dogs or stipulate the size of the pets allowed. Make sure to check the landlord’s policies and the fine print in the lease before bringing animals into your home. On the off chance that the landlord does allow pets, chances are that you will have to pay a pet security deposit.
3. How Does Parking Work?
If you are looking at renting in a building that has its own parking, you will most likely be assigned a specific parking stall. Consider confirming with the landlord which spot goes with your rental unit and if the parking spot is included in the monthly rent. It is also important to find out how reporting works in the building in case someone else parks in your assigned spot.
4. Are Utilities Included?
Since not all rental apartments in Abbotsford include utilities, it is always a good idea to find out which utilities are covered, and which are not. Make sure to ask if cable, gas, electric, and trash removal are covered and, if they are not, how much they will cost per month.
5. What Would it Take to Break the Lease?
Before signing a long-term lease, find out the penalties for breaking the lease under extenuating circumstances. In most cases, breaking a lease can result in you forfeiting your security deposit and any money the landlord holds in your name.
If you would like to learn more questions to ask before renting an apartment, or if you are interested in renting at one of our properties, please contact BE Investments at 604-855-0078 or by filling out a contact form on our website.