Renting an Apartment? Talk to Former Tenants | Real Estate ...

Posted on September 7, 2012

Apartment hunting can be fun, yet exhausting. Whether you are months away from needing a new place to live or in a bind to move, you need to thoroughly research your options and available properties and get as much information as possible - rent, deposit, information on pets and other restrictions, and a timeline on moving in. The property manager or owner will certainly be helpful with your questions about plumbing and fixtures and heating and cooling, but if you want the real skinny on the apartment, you want to talk to the people who previously lived in it.

Apartment managers and owners may be reluctant to offer information on previous tenants. For one, the information is personal and nobody want to risk accusations of privacy invasion. Also, it is possible that a vacated tenant is just not available - he or she could have moved and cannot be reached. If you are scouting apartments that are currently occupied, though, you may have a better chance at getting an outgoing tenant to talk to you about living conditions.

What good is talking to a tenant about to move? For one, a property manager or owner has a greater stake in getting a new tenant to sign a lease. Any problems with the property might be glossed over during your initial tour. An exiting tenant, however, may be more open about issues with the apartment, and therefore help you decide if it's worth the rent to live there.

Some things a former tenant can advise to you are:

1. Relationship with the landlord or property management company. If you should have trouble with the plumbing, or are late with rent, you'll want to know how responsive the managers are with regards to your issues. Does the landlord or building supervisor respond quickly when the heating doesn't work? Will they pitch a fit if you're a day late with the check?
2. Relationship with the neighbors. You will probably see your neighbors more often than you landlord, and it's a good idea to know what they are like. Are they noisy and intrusive, or amiable and helpful? You can get a feel for them by talking with a former tenant.
3. Condition of the neighborhood. Are there occurrences of crime where you plan to live? A former tenant can advise you on the what the area is like and if there are problems like crime, heavy traffic, and noise.

Before you commit to renting, find out what living in the apartment is really like from the previous tenant.

Source: http://www.slowfoodcup.org/152-renting-an-apartment-talk-to-former-tenants.html

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