Renting an apartment in NYC can be challenging even for experienced residents. There are a lot of details about the property you need to take care of, as well as the lease details. If you’re moving to NYC for the first time, you need to be well-prepared for the renting process and know everything about it. This way, you will make sure that you’ve got the best offer and found the perfect place for your new life chapter. To make things easier for you, we’ve made a young professional’s guide to apartment leasing in NYC so you understand everything you need to know about it.
Before you start your search…
…make sure you set up a realistic budget. It’s important to know exactly how much you can afford, so there are no problems later on. Rent in NYC is pretty high and will make up most of your monthly costs. That’s why you need to do some precise calculations and see how much you can pay each month. Many people have financial problems regarding the rent because they choose a more expensive home than they can afford. This guide to apartment leasing will advise you to start with the sum of 30 percent of your income – this should be the perfect balance between your earnings and monthly costs.
Bonus tip: The central and most popular areas of NYC like Manhattan are of course the most expensive ones. So, if it’s too much for you, make sure to look further from these boroughs, so you can find more affordable housing.
Figure 1 Follow the guide to apartment leasing in NYC and you’ll be ready for the application process. alt.tag: a house key from the guide to apartment leasing in NYC
A young professional’s guide to apartment leasing – everything you need to know
Here is some of the most important information on apartment leasing – everything you need to know about renting before you sign any documents.
Why apartment leasing is important?
Well, the lease presents a kind of protection, both for the landlord and the tenant. This document regulates all the details between the two parties and sets some renting rules and conditions, as well as the rent amount. When signing the lease, both the tenant and the landlord now have responsibilities regarding each other. As a young professional wishing to settle down in NYC, we recommend renting an apartment with a lease, which protects you from early evictions, changes in the rent price, or any other problems.
The most important tip – read the lease carefully
Don’t think of the lease as just a document, but be sure to read every word carefully. Check all the necessary details:
- the monthly due date for paying the rent
- correct information about the property and the landlord
- check if any utilities are included in the rent price, or if you need to pay for them separately
- lease length and renewal rules
- any special conditions or rules
Figure 2 Read every document carefully – rule number one from the young professional’s guide to apartment leasing in NYC alt.tag: a person signing an apartment lease
Check the deposit or any other fees
Very often tenants are expected to pay a certain amount upfront, as a deposit. However, this shouldn’t be more than one or two monthly rents, so be sure to check that beforehand.
Security
One of the most important things in the guide to apartment leasing should be about tenant’s security and landlord’s access to the property. Generally, the landlord should be restricted from entering the unit except if something happens, like an emergency. Also, another detail you should discuss is putting your own lock or adding an additional one.
Pets in the apartment
NYC is generally a pet-friendly city. However, many buildings and apartment units have very strict policies on pets. So, if you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment, make sure to check that point in your lease. Be ready to convince your landlord why your pet is good for the apartment – have your resume ready, and offer to pay some pet deposit.
Figure 3 Are pets allowed in the apartment? Make sure you check that out. alt.tag: pet friendly check in the guide to apartment leasing in NYC
Don’t make common leasing mistakes
First-time renters often lose a favorite apartment just because they made some of the most common mistakes. They are very easy to avoid, but you need to be informed about everything that can go wrong during the application process:
- too many applications – if you really want to ‘win’ an apartment, your application needs to be as attractive as possible. This means you shouldn’t apply for too many apartments. Landlords can see your credit score runs, so be sure to look as interested as possible and narrow your search to only the places you really like.
- working with too many brokers – make sure you find an agent that can find exactly what you’re looking for, rather than working with too many brokers connecting you to many different apartments. If you know what you’re looking for, an experienced agent will find a good apartment soon. The same goes for a moving company – finding a reliable, experienced mover will make moving anywhere in Brooklyn safe and fast.
- not being ready for the application – applying for an apartment requires you to have certain documents ready. Make sure you prepare everything you need, like pay stubs, bank statements, ID, letter of employment, etc.
Moving to NYC
After you find the perfect place – it’s time to plan your move. This can be equally challenging and stressful as looking for the perfect apartment. That’s why you should be efficient and don’t forget to:
- plan your move and the moving budget – writing down every detail of the relocation is very valuable in reducing the stress during the process.
- hire only reliable movers – The NYC moving business is huge, so be sure to pick someone you can trust, like Movers 101. A skilled moving company will ensure a safe relocation, which is the most important aspect of your move.
- pack wisely – first of all, it’s a good idea to declutter, since NYC apartments tend to be smaller. Next, be sure to pack systematically, room by room, and label each box with its contents. And finally, get packing services if you feel you can’t do it on your own.
- start on time – yes, NYC life is a bit hurried, but don’t do your relocation in a rush. Avoid stress and risky situations by starting your preparations on time.
After following our young professional’s guide to apartment leasing in NYC, you should be able to get yourself a safe contract for a perfect apartment. Just be sure to act wisely and prepare everything on time. Have a safe relocation!
