by Francis Jock

Created on: April 23, 2009

Top 10 things to consider before renting an apartment or flat.

Whether you are striking out on your own for the very first time or just moving on, renting an apartment or flat is the best way to have a roof over your head. You may be looking for a long-term or a short-term lease and the apartment you choose to must meet your basic needs for safety and security. But beyond meeting these basic needs, how are you going to decide which apartment is the right one for you and your lifestyle?

There are plenty of newspapers, apartment finders and website listing such as craigslist.com for you to browse in your apartment search. These nifty tools, however, don't tell the entire story behind every available apartment. There is always more to learn, if you know what to look for. Here are the top 10 things for you to consider before renting an apartment.

1. Location. Neighbor hoods can be good or bad depending upon a wide variety of socio-economic factors. Before you choose your apartment, have a look around the neighborhood and weigh whether the lifestyle and quality of life you are accustomed to suits you.

2. Parking. Parking is placed near the top of the list of considerations because, unless you don't own a car or a motorbike, you need easy and secure access to your vehicle. You don't want to fight for a parking space every night after work, and you don't want to find yourself in a dispute with your neighbors over the nearest parking spot. Check out the parking and make sure that your spot is going to meet your needs/

3. Size of the unit. Don't fall in love with an apartment because it is cute and has a handful of neat features. If it's too small for all of your possessions, you'll be looking for a larger apartment before you know it. Besides, you won't want to throw away everything you've collected just to make room for your bed and laptop. Write down every room's dimensions and calculate the square footage available for you to live in. Compare the measurements to what you are currently living in and consider carefully if you're moving into a cracker-box apartment or the lap of luxury.

4. Amenities. Laundry rooms, swimming pools, spas and community rooms are all great features to look for in your apartment building. However, these niceties always come with a price tag, so be sure that you rent what you can afford.

5. Cleanliness. If the apartment is freshly painted and clean it's possible that the property manager is taking good care of the apartments. But don't stop there.

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