Top Rental Tips for First-Time Apartment Seekers

Finding your first apartment can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start. We’ve put together a list of rental tips for first-time apartment seekers to help you navigate the process.

1. Use Local Tools to Set a Budget: Before you start your search, it’s essential to determine how much you can afford to spend on rent each month. Take into account annual rent increases (try to avoid buildings that may raise your rent by >3%; use tools such as rentreboot.com or NYC Rent Guidelines Board to check for rent stabilized units) and account for other expenses such as utilities, groceries, and transportation, nightlife, to ensure you find a place that fits within your budget, savings goals, and quality of life expectations. Without a hard and clear budget, it becomes easy to tell yourself "it's only $50 more" a few times or get hit with an unsustainable rent increase in 12 months.

   
   

2. Visit Neighborhoods and Research Building: Google is your friend. Research different neighborhoods to find one that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. NYC in particular has a wide range of neighborhoods with very unique characteristics. Visit at different times of the day (i.e. at night) to prevent any unexpected surprises. Utilize local resources (i.e. openigloo.com or 311 in NYC) to hear what others are saying about your building. When visiting, consider what amenities are important to you, such as access to public transportation, grocery stores, parks, or restaurants.

   
   

3. Make a List of Must-Haves: Create a list of non-negotiable features you want in an apartment, such as the number of bedrooms, pet-friendly policies, or on-site facilities. This will help narrow down your search and make it easier to find a place that meets your needs.

   
   

4. Use a Reputable Listing Platform: Utilize reputable rental listing platforms to browse available apartments in your desired area. These platforms often have filters that allow you to search for apartments based on specific criteria such as price, location, and amenities. In NYC, common platforms for traditional 12-month rentals include StreetEasy and RentHop while short to medium-term rental platforms include leasebreak.com and (shameless plug) Stooper.com.

   
   

5. Visit in Person: Once you’ve found a few apartments that pique your interest, schedule a viewing to see them in person(!!). Take note of the condition of the apartment, building amenities, water pressure, number of outlets, noise level of neighbors/nearby construction, and the surrounding neighborhood during your visit.

   
   

6. Ask Detailed Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord, broker, or existing tenant questions about the rental terms, lease agreement, maintenance policies, historical pest issues, and any other concerns you may have. Nothing is off limits—it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you're signing up for as a tenant. Better to find out now than later.

   
   

7. Read the Lease Carefully: Before signing a lease, make sure to read it carefully and understand all the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. We get it, it's boring, but paying attention to details such as guest policies, security deposit, move-in/move-out procedures, and any rules or restrictions can save you headaches later. This is the time to negotiate. If you're looking for a sublet or lease takeover on platforms like Stooper, be sure to ask for a written sublet agreement.

   
   

8. Plan for Moving Expenses: Moving into a new apartment can be costly, so be sure to budget for expenses such as security deposits, rental application fees, moving truck rentals, and utility set-up fees. Planning ahead will help you avoid any financial surprises.

   Finding the perfect apartment is stressful. That said, following these top rental tips for first-time apartment seekers, will better equip you to find the perfect place to call home. Happy apartment hunting!