Seven Sins of First-Time Renters

published 17 January 2013

Ah, your first apartment. It may be smaller than a closet with a next-door neighbor who likes to blast Celine Dion into the wee hours of the morning, but hey, it's a space to call your own. Whether you're moving away from college or out of Mom and Dad's house this summer, getting your first real place can be a liberating -- and nerve-wracking -- experience.

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Trust us, there are worse situations you can find yourself in as a first-time renter than tight spaces and annoying neighbors. Moving into your own apartment may be one of the biggest financial steps you've taken thus far in your life. In this rite of passage, you're committing to stay put for a long time while shelling out a pretty penny on rent, utilities and furniture. So, naturally, you want to do it right. We detail seven sins that can threaten your financial soul -- and your sanity -- upon moving into your own space. Avoid these missteps for a smoother transition, whether you're a first-timer or a even a seasoned renter.

The first item of business when looking for a place to live: How much you can afford to spend on housing? Use our budgeting tool to help tally your monthly expenses and see how much money you'll have left to spend on rent. Then, find out how much apartments cost in your desired neighborhood by browsing newspaper classified ads or online rental sites such as Move.com or Craigslist.org. This will help you determine if you can even afford to make the move, and whether you'll need a roommate (or two) to split the costs. (Find out where you can get a good roommate.)

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But rent isn't the only cost for which you have to budget. Don't forget to anticipate your "start-up" expenses when you first move in. For example, you may need to pay an application fee for the apartment (say, $50), a security deposit (usually equal to one-month's rent), your first month's rent, a deposit to turn on the electricity (maybe $75), a deposit to turn on the gas (another $75), fees to get your cable and telephone turned on, a deposit for any pets you may have, and maybe even a fee for a parking space. And let's not forget the cost of furnishing your new pad. All in all, it can cost you upwards of $4,000 in your first month at your new apartment, according to research firm Twentysomething Inc.

Once your start-up expenses are covered, don't forget to account for other monthly expenses that come with your new space, including gas and electricity bills and garbage and water fees. And if you're moving from campus housing where your phone service, cable TV and Internet connection were either free or cut-rate, remember to factor real-world prices into your budget. Consider this, too, if you're moving into a place by yourself when you're used to splitting costs among roommates or living free under Mom and Dad's roof. Make it easy on yourself to keep track of your expenses by setting up a budget.

Before you embark on an apartment hunt, write down a list separating your needs from your wants. Needs are those things without which you just can't live. For example, my husband and I own just one car, so for us, proximity to work or to public transportation is a need. Wants, however, are those things that would be nice to have, but you could live without for the right price. For example, you may want a gym or a first-floor unit, but they may not be deal breakers.

Sorting out your needs and wants will help keep you from making a choice you may regret later -- say, snagging an apartment with a great city view but having to suffer a grueling commute to work. Remember, your first place isn't going to be perfect, so you need to know which things you can let slide beforehand. Besides, you can always move up to a better apartment when your lease is up. Learn more about what to consider when looking for a new apartment.

It's a good idea to take a look at the place you plan to call home before you arrive on moving day and discover your sofa won't fit through the front door. If possible, this means you should inspect the actual apartment you'll be moving in to -- not a model. Bring a measuring tape and try to visualize your furniture in the space. You should also take note of the number and location of phone and cable jacks and electrical outlets.

Don't be afraid to put the apartment through its paces. Turn on the faucets and flush the toilet to make sure the water is running properly (and that it isn't brown). If the power is on, turn on the lights, oven, air conditioner and other appliances to make sure they work. Tune in to the surroundings -- is there a lot of traffic or neighbor noise, or any strange smells? Are the building's hallways, common areas and parking lots clean and well-lit? Are there enough washers and dryers in the laundry room? And don't forget to check out your cell phone's reception from inside the apartment.

You also should inspect the space for damage and request that serious problems be fixed before you move in your stuff. Then, on moving day, go through the apartment with a pen and paper -- and a fine tooth comb. Write down every defect, no matter how seemingly small, date and sign your list, make a copy of it and give one to your landlord. You don't want to be held liable for pre-existing damages.

A lease is a legally binding contract between you and the landlord, spelling out each of your rights and the rules you must abide by while living in the space. This means it's written in that kind of legal-speak that causes your eyes to glaze over and your mind to go numb. But it's worth your while to f-o-c-u-s and read it all the way through or you may find yourself on the hook for different fees, penalties and restrictions after you've signed on the line. Don't worry about digesting it all on the spot. In fact, you should take it home to read through before you sign, advises consumer advocate Clark Howard. "If you don't understand something, put question marks next to the item and get an explanation," he says.

Every lease will include some basic information, such as the address of the apartment, the length of the lease (say, six months or one year), the amount of rent due, the amount of the security deposit, and the signatures of the landlord and all tenants. That's all pretty straightforward, but there are additional clauses that could have a big impact on your wallet and your lifestyle. Keep an eye out for penalties for late rent, policies for owning pets, what utilities the landlord pays and which ones you're responsible for, policies on painting or altering the apartment, protocol for what to do if something breaks or needs repair, penalties for moving before your lease term is up, policies on subletting and having roommates or even stipulations for having roommates of the opposite sex. I once even had a lease that specifically prohibited owning a piano or organ.

Also, make sure you know what happens to your lease agreement at the end of the term. Usually, your contract will become a month-to-month arrangement, but read the fine print ahead of time to be sure and to learn how much notice is required before moving out. Pick up a copy of the excellent Every Tenant's Legal Guide from Nolo Press to learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a renter.

On occasion, eating takeout by candlelight may be romantic. But doing it every night, storing your garbage on your balcony and taking cold showers every morning is just plain sad. So before you move in, make sure you ask your landlord specifically what utilities you're responsible for paying -- and for turning on. Some apartment buildings, for example, will provide the garbage and water service as part of your rent but leave you to arrange your own gas and electric service. Others may require you to handle everything. And don't forget the extras, such as a phone line, Internet service and cable TV.

Unless you have enough money saved to replace everything you own in case of theft, fire or other disaster, you need renters' insurance. Sure, your landlord probably has insurance, but it only covers the building and the infrastructure -- not the stuff you keep in your own unit, says Doug Culkin, executive vice president of the National Apartment Association. You may not think you own much of anything of value, but once you tally up the cost of all your clothes, furniture, computer, software, entertainment system, microwave and CD collection, renters' insurance can add up to a real bargain. Besides, some landlords may require renters' insurance before you move in.

If you've never lived on your own before, you're bound to be short a few essentials. For example, I didn't realize when I moved into my first place that a shower curtain wasn't included. I also thought I had planned ahead by packing a bunch of canned food to subsist on for a couple days before my roommate (with the car) moved in -- only to realize she was bringing the can opener too. Oh, and then there's the time I lived in an apartment for a month without a couch -- cozying up for a night of watching my favorite TV show on a metal kitchen chair just wasn't the same. Hopefully, you've already thought of the big stuff, like seating, bedding, a dresser, etc. (Learn more about how to furnish your new place on a budget.)

But you'll need some smaller basics, too. In addition to the aforementioned shower curtain and can opener, don't forget to bring a waste basket (and liners), lamps, dinnerware, bookshelves, a full-length mirror, cleaning supplies, sponges, towels, bathroom rug, flashlight, vacuum, broom and dustpan. Plus, invest in a small toolkit with a hammer, pliers and screwdrivers so you can hang pictures and assemble your new furniture. For more help on what you'll need, print off these apartment checklists from About.com.

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