What to Ask before You Sign a Lease for a One Bedroom Apartment

Posted on: 30 April 2020

If you are in the process of apartment hunting, you're likely seeing a lot of places to get an idea of what you like. However, there are many questions you should ask that go beyond what the square footage is and what the view is like. Here are just a few questions to ask if you are looking for one-bedroom apartments for rent. 

Can You Sublease the Apartment?

One important thing to ask is if the apartment allows subletting. This is when you have time remaining on your original lease and want to move out early, and you are allowed to rent your apartment to another tenant for the duration of the rest of your lease. This prevents you from breaking the lease by leaving early and having to pay rent for two places at once.

Keep in mind that even if a lease allows you to sublease the apartment, it is possible that the landlord still needs to approve of the tenant beforehand. There may be a background check involved, application fees, and other similar measures you'll have to do when signing a lease.

Can You Have Pets?

If you have a furry friend that you want to take with you or plan on doing so after you move into the apartment, you should know the pet policy. Many apartments have restrictions on pets for various reasons. Landlords may want to prevent the place from being damaged by a pet or they don't want to deal with loud pets disturbing other renters. There can also be a limit on how many pets you are allowed to have as well, such as one dog or two cats. Make sure you fully understand the pet policy if it will eventually apply to you since it is hard to part with an animal due to the conditions of a lease.

What Is the Guest Policy?

Plan on having a guest stay with you for a long time, even though it's a one- or two-bedroom apartment? Many apartment buildings have terms that limit how many guests can stay at the apartment so that the lease is limited to just the people that are on it. This helps prevent situations where multiple people are crammed into a tiny living space. Overnight guests are fine, but landlords are primarily concerned about guests that are staying weeks or months at a time. These types of guests typically need to be approved with the landlord beforehand so that they are aware of the situation. 

If you're still looking for an apartment, contact services like Flats at Springhurst ​and ask them these and other questions. 

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