Finding Available Apartments to Rent
Knowing about agencies that offer housing should make finding
housing easier. But it should not limit your search for housing. When
you look for an apartment, use as many resources that you are comfortable
with. Use this informational toolkit. It has a comprehensive list of housing
subsidies and programs for people with disabilities.
Use other resources to help you find an apartment. This includes the
newspaper, information posted about apartments for rent, and reports you
get from friends about vacancies they know about. If you are a college
student, your school campus probably has a book that includes apartments
for rent. Apartments for rent are often posted at popular clubs, churches,
fitness centers and the YMCA and YWCA. By using these resources you can
improve your opportunity to get comfortable and affordable housing.
Speaking to a Landlord for the First Time
When you speak to a landlord about an apartment, be polite. Remember,
the landlord will be making a decision whether to rent to you or not.
Landlords are similar to schoolteachers, supervisors and parents. They
expect to be treated with respect. Their time is important and they want
to know that you are responsible.
The time you spend with a landlord should be quality time. Tell the landlord
that you are calling because you are interested in a specific apartment
to rent. Be prepared. Before you speak to the landlord know the location
of the apartment and the apartment number if it is given.
Discussing Rent
Don’t tell the landlord that you want the apartment but
the rent is too high. Wait until you see the apartment and meet with the
landlord in person before you discuss the rent. Do know ahead of time
how much the landlord is asking for rent. Be realistic. Only apply for
apartments you can afford. You want to speak to a landlord about an apartment
you can afford – not one you can’t.
Rental Applications
Fill out rental applications with care. Be sure to write neatly
and fill out the application completely. When you go to fill out the rental
application there are a few things you need to be sure to bring. You need
to have information about your employment history. This includes your
present job and previous one. Have the name, address, and phone number
of your employer along with the name of your supervisor. You also need
to report the length of time of your employment and your income earned.
Even if you don’t have a job and your last job was about 10 years
ago, still fill this in. If you have not had a paying job but you have
volunteered, fill that information in. Some information is better than
no information. It will make your application more complete.
When you fill out a rental application you need to have at least two
housing references from prior places you lived. This includes your previous
landlord’s name, the address, phone number and how long you lived
there.
Rental applications have a couple of lines to fill in your driver’s
license number and social security number. If you have them, bring your
driver’s license and your social security card with you. If you
don’t have a license or social security number, don’t fill
anything in that space. Remember, when it comes to rental applications
it’s important to be prepared, to be neat and to be complete.
Meeting the Landlord
When you meet a landlord in person to see an apartment behave
respectfully. Wear clothes that are appropriate. Don’t wear clothes
that are ripped. Be clean and presentable. You can be sure the landlord
will make sure the apartment is clean before he shows it to you. Make
sure you are clean before you show yourself to a landlord.
Try to meet with the landlord at a time of the day when you have energy
and you are alert. This is important because you will need to listen to
what the landlord tells you about renting the apartment. Don’t bring
a friend along because you’re not meeting the landlord to hang out.
However, if you need to bring someone along to help you accommodate a
special need let the landlord know about this prior to meeting with him
or her in person.
If you have questions about things the landlord is telling you, wait
until the landlord finishes what he/she is saying before you interrupt.
This should not stop you from asking a question again if the landlord
did not answer it the first time. If there are things that concern you
or information you feel you should get from the landlord that you are
not getting, ask questions. When a landlord shows you an apartment, act
interested. The landlord will pick up on your enthusiasm. This will improve
your chance of getting the apartment.
Being prepared to talk to landlords and learning how to fill out rental
applications are good investments of your time. Take your time and plan
ahead. Follow our advice and use your good judgement. It will reflect
to landlords that you are dependable, considerate and responsible. These
qualities will make you a good candidate to rent to.
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