The document provides tips for researching apartments, preparing paperwork for an apartment application, considering living options and apartment needs/wants, setting a rental budget, reviewing rental agreements, and ensuring you have necessary supplies before moving into a new apartment. Key steps include researching apartments online, having references and past income documentation ready, determining if a roommate is needed, inspecting the actual apartment, understanding fees and responsibilities in the rental agreement, and obtaining basic household items.

1. Section 1

3. Do your research
Research apartments in cities you want to live :
 www.Apartmentguide.com
 www.rent.com
 www.move.com
 Ajc homefinder
 My personal favorite www.Apartments.com
If you have school aged kids consider the schools
and their ranks in the areas

4. Have your papers
Personal references
Addresses for the last 5 years
Check stubs for the past 6
months
Credit report

5. Consider your (living)options
Do you need a
roommate to split the
cost or can you wing it
alone?
Do you need an
apartment or do you
want to rent a room in a
house ?
You can’t do this with a roommate

6. Consider your apartment options
Needs Wants
Is it on the bus line?
Can I bring my pet?
How close is it to my job?
family?
First floor unit
Swimming pool
Gym
Wi-Fi

7. Consider your apartment options
If your landlord doesn’t include electric, trash,cable
gas,water,etc. then research providers in the area
using a website like www.allconnect.com to find the
best options for you.
If you plan on bringing your own washer, dryer make
sure you have a washer connections and 240 volt
socket for your dryer
Utilities and the other stuff

8. Set a budget
Max 34% of your monthly
income (this includes
rent , utilities and renters
insurance)
 Don’t forget to add in application fees,
security deposit, pet deposit and utilities
deposits
Get quotes for renters
insurance making sure you
have coverage for theft,
liability, fire and acts of God
using :
 www.insweb.com
 www.netquote.com
 Your auto insurance
provider
Item Percent
Housing 25 to 34
Food 8 to 15
Health care 5 to 7
Insurance/pensions 7 to 9
Clothing 6 to 8
Entertainment 5 to 9
General savings 10 to 18
Total spent 66 to 100 *

9. Set a budget
 Have money set aside for a bed , cookware , silverware
dishes and cleaning supplies .washer and dryer are
optional
 My recommendations are as follows :
 Cookware : Tramontina tri-ply clad cookware set
,colander , 2 cutting boards one for meat and one for
vegetables ,10 inch and 8 inch plates ;4 (each)forks,
knives and spoons .
 Bed: If you select a traditional spring mattress make sure
to get a memory foam topper .
 Washer /Dryer : LG WM3050CW Crosley CDE4700LW

10. Things to always do
Make sure you see the actual apartment you will be in(not
the model) and check for these:
Is the water hot and does it get cold when flushing?
Is the water brown?
Do the pipes leak?
Does the apartment smell funny?
Do airplanes pass by? Are the neighbors noisy?
Does the A/C work? The stove?
Do the windows lock?
Are the parking lot and hallways well lit?
Does your cell service work in every room?
Is the laundry room big enough?
Is there a power outlet near where your bed will be?

11. Reviewing the agreement
Make sure these things are spelled out clearly:
Late fees
Lease length( in months) and if the lease automatically renews
Early termination fees
Which utilities are you responsible for ?
Can you paint ?
Can you rent out unused space ?
Can you get any discounts ? For a service(hair , landscaping or
repairs) ?
How many guest can you have and how long can they stay ?
Does the Landlord have to give notice before dropping by?

12. Before the move
 Make sure you have:
 Shower curtains
 Towels
 Battery powered radio
 Blinds
 Forks, knives, spoons, plates, can opener
 Trash cans
 Rugs
 Flashlights(and batteries)
 Matches(and candles)
 Vacuum
 Broom and dustpan
 Screwdriver
 Hammer
 Pliers
 Plunger
 Scrub brush
 microwave