Some pearls of wisdom for how to get your first apartment

Question: What questions should I ask when calling about an apartment I might want to rent? This will be my first experience as a renter. And what should I watch out for when I tour the unit?

Answer: Particularly with a first rental, a lot of prospective tenants are nervous and don’t know what to say when calling about a place. Like a first date, it will get easier with practice.

Before you call about an apartment, be sure to read the ad carefully and have it in front of you for reference.

Pick a time to call when it’s quiet and you can concentrate without interruption. Turn off the radio and be prepared to ignore any phone lines chirping in the background. Unless the ad specifies otherwise, call during business hours.

With pen and paper at hand, call the advertised phone number. If there is no answer, should you leave a message? That depends on the situation. If the number is clearly a manager or landlord’s contact, leaving a message may be convenient.

To avoid phone tag, be sure to slowly and clearly state your name, the address you are calling about, your area code and phone number, the best time to reach you and the phone number again. If you haven’t heard back in 24 hours, try again.

When you do speak with the landlord, begin with something like: “Hi, I’m calling about the two-bedroom, two-bath rental on Maple Street. Is it still available?” Some owners have more than one vacancy and droning on about the details of the wrong unit wastes everyone’s time.

Verify the rental amount and ask when the unit is available for move-in. Find out which floor the unit is on. If you have questions on things not addressed in the ad, ask them. What appliances are included? Is there a laundry room on the premises? Does the unit’s rental rate include parking? How many units are in the building? Are pets allowed?

Questions should be about concrete matters, not personal opinion.

For example, asking if a place is quiet and in good shape is not always useful. After all, who is going to say a rental is noisy and needs painting? Decide for yourself at the showing.

If the place sounds reasonable for your needs and it’s within your price range, ask when you may see it. When making the appointment, set a definite time and ask exactly where to meet. Front porch? The unit itself? If the location is unfamiliar, ask for the closest cross streets or major intersections. Getting lost and showing up 20 minutes late is not a great way to make a first impression.

Before you walk into a rental, consider putting together a packet that includes a recent copy of your credit report, a letter of recommendation from a previous landlord or employer and proof of employment or student status. Some people bring a pay stub to prove income. Students should include proof of enrollment.

Snagging a rental is not unlike sizing up a date. You’re presenting yourself in hopes of being in a lasting and harmonious relationship.

Start by dressing decently, since looking good can only help in making a positive first impression.

And don’t bombard the tour guide with questions when you first walk in; instead, pay attention to the details.

Common sense questions, such as how many other tenants occupy the building or the area where parking is allocated are a good idea. Be flexible regarding the move-in date if you can.

“Available now” means the place is sitting vacant and collecting dust instead of rent. Naturally, landlords favor the renter willing to take the unit as soon as possible.

Asking what will be replaced and/or cleaned is fair game.

If there are special features, such as window coverings, inquire if they remain with the unit.

On the flip side, be wary of any inappropriate questions, especially those that could be discriminatory. Being asked about your religion, race or disability is a red flag for potential trouble.

If you really like the place, be upfront and tell the landlord as soon as possible. Offer to put a deposit on the unit to secure it until your credit and application are approved.

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