If I were to look for another apartment (which we’re not), we would look for lots of cupboard space and counter space.

We’ve been blessed with good landlords who paid attention to our questions and comments. We’ve rented from a family who owned a series of complexes and a small rental company in Erie.

As always, location is key. There were a lot of apartments I looked at that I didn’t feel comfortable in the neighborhood.

Always read the lease agreement in full, and make sure you understand the lease “jargon”. Some leases have different stipulations, such as what your liabilities are as a renter, and what the landlord’s is. Definitely read the fine print before inking your name – and make sure that you have, or will be able to have a good relationship with your landlord. Chances are, if you are getting bad vibes from the landlord, you won’t want to rent from them.

What kind of things do you look for when renting?

Check the ceilings/walls/floors (linoleum, etc.) for any water damage, or any discoloration/bumps/un-levelness. If you see something like this, chances are, you’re going to run into problems with this in the future. Also, check the windows, in a city like Erie, it is super important to rent a space that has newer, or study windows. If the windows seem old and/or drafty, you’re going to be paying a lot more than expected in utilities. Its also a good idea to call the utility companies and get an average of what your monthly bills will be. All you need is the address of the place and the utility companies can tell you exactly what you can expect to be paying. Over the years, I’ve looked at a few great places, but then have found that due to bad windows/insulation, the gas bill as astronomical).

Do you have a really bad renting experience?

I try to find landlords that are independent of any reality companies. More times than not, big rental companies lack in customer/renter care, and if something happens to need fixed, it takes them much longer to get around to you.

How much did you know about your landlord before you started your lease?

It’s always a good idea to ask around about a particular landlord. In smaller cities like Erie, there aren’t many landlords – as most own a decent amount of property. So something as simple as asking around about a particular person/reality co. will help you tremendously.

http://www.aptassoc.com/
This website is a great resource for apts., as landlords pay a fee to be a part of this association, so it’s usually comprised of apts. of good landlords who take their job(s) seriously.