1. What are the lease terms?

You may be surprised to learn that lease terms can vary greatly, so don’t be shy about asking what lease terms are available in addition to 6- or 12-month leases. While you’re at it, be sure you understand what the lease-break terms are as well. Nobody ever plans on needing to leave an apartment before the end of their lease, but it pays to know up front what your obligations will be.

2. How are emergency repairs handled (and repairs in general)?

One of the most reassuring benefits of renting an apartment is knowing that if something breaks—the dishwasher, the refrigerator, the heater or air conditioner—help will quickly be on the way. But what does that mean, exactly, at your prospective new home? Find out what the process is to report an outage or maintenance issue, and what to do in the event of an emergency.

3. What’s the pet policy?

Whether you currently have a pet or not, ask this question before you move in. You may decide down the line to get a furry friend, or you may want to take on a roommate who has a pet. Be sure to ask about breed and size restrictions too!

4. What about parking?

If you have your own car, you’ll want to know where you can park, and whether there is covered parking available. While an open parking space is manageable in mild climates, there are times in the heat of summer that you’ll appreciate having your vehicle in the shade—and if the winters are harsh where you live, covered parking is a must-have. If parking is available at your prospective apartment complex, find out what the charge is to secure a dedicated parking space. And if you’re looking at an apartment with on-street parking only—be sure to cruise the location at different times during the week to determine how challenging parking will be! For most renters, it’s worth the extra charge to have a safe and secure parking spot.

5. What’s your guest policy?

If you know you’ll have frequent guests or guests who stay for longer durations, definitely ask about your apartment complex’s guest terms—both in terms of where guests can park, and if there’s any specific limit on how long they can stay. This is important not only for your buddy who is looking to crash somewhere on summer break, but if you’re thinking you may want to sublet your apartment for short-term renters. In today’s day of AirBNB rentals, your apartment managers will likely have a policy in place, so be sure to learn it in advance.

Renting a new apartment can be an exciting step—and it doesn’t have to be a daunting one. If you ask the right questions (and get the right answers!), you’ll be on your way to securing your new home with the peace of mind of knowing that it’s the right decision for you.

The post Thinking about renting? Here’s what you need to ask appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Here's how to find the best solution the next time you and your roommates need to compromise.

1. Focus on the long-term win, not only the short-term win

It’s human nature to want to win, and to want to keep winning, again and again. But if all you want to do is win every disagreement you have with your roommates, then you aren’t truly committed to the longer-term goal of a successful living relationship with them. Your short-term victory could be setting you up for future pushback from your roommates over far more important issues. So be strategic as you discuss alternatives, and keep an open mind.

2. Don’t be too aggressive

There’s nothing worse than the person who thinks the loudest voice wins. Once again, this is an approach that may absolutely succeed in the short term—but it could be dangerous in a long-term relationship. People want to live with people they both respect and like. That’s not the person who’s yelling all the time.

3. Do be honest and share your emotions

In a roommate disagreement, it’s important that everyone share their side of the story. When it’s your turn, your emotions regarding the outcome you most want matter! State your case as clearly and emotionally as you can, sharing all the reasons why your opinion is the best opinion in the group. If you have data and information to back up why you feel the way you do, even better—but speak up! And then…

4. Truly listen

This should be the easiest part, but it’s often the most difficult. Stop thinking about your side of the story, and listen to opposing views with a genuinely open mind. You may learn something you didn’t know! Don’t be afraid to follow up with questions that help you learn more, either. Your roommates will appreciate it more than you know.

5. Say Thank You

Win, lose or draw, the most important element of a roommate discussion is that you all end up with a stronger relationship. Maybe you got what you wanted, maybe you didn’t, but you should acknowledge that everyone in the conversation was trying to work toward the best solution for the group. Whether that’s rules about doing chores, paying bills, managing noise or handling overnight guests—the end goal is that you create a happy, supportive living environment for both you and your roommates.

So the next time you have a decision to make, don’t be stressed! Take the longer view, identify what’s really important to you, speak from the heart, truly listen…and express your appreciation for your roommates when it’s all said and done. You’ll be glad you did!

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