Signing lease, need advice

[JaJae]

My girlfriend and I are looking to move in together. We recently acquired new jobs in the same area and we're looking to share a dwelling.

I feel as if I've done a lot of homework and *think* I understand the upsides and downsides of the apartment complex we chose.

Basically this is what I know, please let me know if there's anything else I should be asking. I probably know a bit more information and I just forgot to include it here:

It's a third floor apartment (top floor), 1500 square feet, one bedroom, 1.5 baths, washer/dryers, den, patio. I saw the model, but have not seen the apartment we'd be getting. The appliances are the same, however, our apartment would be a bit cheaper ($150 a month) because the cabinets haven't been replaced and the bathrooms haven't been retiled recently.

The complex is roughly 30 years old, but is well maintained. There is a very nice pool on the complex that is open 12-8 monday thru sunday and another pool in the ajoining complex owned by the same company that we would have access too. Fitness room in the clubhouse available Monday - Friday 9-7 and Saturday/Sunday 9-5. 8 tennis courts and a couple playgrounds. They want $250 a lease term for the amenities. When you renew they want less, $175 for the second year and so on.

They pay for the water, we would be paying for all the other utilities.

I think I've read all of the reviews for the apartment online (about 50). 90% of the reviews fell into two categories:
1. They loved the complex. Said it was quiet, the maintenance was quick to respond and even made it out same nights on Sundays when called for repairs. Management was prompt when contacted and matters were resolved satisfactorily. Major problems cited would be old windows that don't insulate well and expensive utility bill which they attribute to old power hungry units (central air).
2. They hated it. Said the neighbors complain to quickly about things like noise, management was rude to them and turned on them after they moved in. Nobody told them they had to put rugs down over 80% of their flooring. The utilities were too high. A common complaint was that they do allow cats, but not outside cats and no one informed them of no outside cats during the lease process. But the town doesn't allow outside cats in apartment complexes, again it's not their rule they just enforce it when people complain.

My gf and I are quiet people and wanted a quiet place. We're going into it expecting rather high utility bills of roughly $300 a mo in the hot/cold seasons. People responded to others complaining about the having to put down the rugs/carpet with things like it's in bold in the lease and a town ordinance no their rules. People there seem to enjoy their peace and quiet. Most people said neighbors were extremely friendly and kind.

Garbage pickup is not far and there's individual mailboxes inside the building (loaded from the outside). There's ample parking, unlimited spaces. Management is easy to work with. The balcony is rather large (13' x 9') and they said some people grill out there even though they're not supposed to. But they don't stop anyone. So I'm thinking of getting an electric grill.

But yea, by and large that seems to be the rundown. Only problem I have is that to hold the apartment they want a security deposit within the next couple weeks even though our actual apartment won't become available for us to view until a few days before our move in. However, every complex in the area seems to have that same policy. I don't know if it's a central/northern NJ thing or what, but we've looked at about 2 dozen apartment complexes and they all have the same requirements. I guess there's a lot of people who make them hold apartments for the summer and then bail on them last minute to go to another place and leave them empty handed after the busy moving season. I can understand where they're coming from, but I'd really like to see our actual apartment before I put down that much money.

Haven't seen the lease yet, gonna pick it up later in the week (probably Thursday or Friday). Any ideas, tips, suggestions on a first time lease signer? We need to move at the end of the summer and need to get something completely by mid July to ensure we have a place. The good complexes sell fast and this is one of the better reviewed places in the area.

Edit: I spoke with a resident today who had the same apartment layout as we are looking to get, without the upgraded kitchen, but her bathrooms were upgraded. She said she loves it there, despite having a few power problems in her building which they're working on. She still recommended the place despite this. I met her in the clubhouse computer room while we were surfing the net next. She said the place is quiet, seems safe, management and maintenance has been good to her and she absolutely loves her apartment. The upgraded kitchen just has newer cabinets... all appliances in all apartments are fairly new, this includes: refrigerator, microwave above the stove, garbage disposal and dishwasher. Only difference between hers and ours is that she has newer tile in the bathrooms.

Edit 2: I asked about the walls and hanging things. They said we can do whatever we want to walls, but they'd charge us on move out if we don't fix any holes larger than a dime. We can also install cable or whatever we want into any room. Some newer complexes were anal retentive about renters putting holes in the walls.

[JaJae]

Here's the floorplan:


Rent is $1400 a month (which is actually a very good price for an apartment this large in our part of NJ).

This is the pool that is closer to our apartment:

[Ardentfrost]

I've never been one to worry about signing a lease on an apartment. Apartments are easy. Worst case scnenario you move out after the lease ends or you pay to get out of it. Crappiest place I ever lived was still fine (esp since it was for 4 college students). The last few places I rented I just checked out the place to make sure I liked it, checked out the neighborhood to make sure I liked it, and checked out the price to make sure I liked it, and signed the lease.

I mean, really... apartments are easy mode.

Now buying a house, THERE is a pain in the ass.

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

I've never been one to worry about signing a lease on an apartment. Apartments are easy. Worst case scnenario you move out after the lease ends or you pay to get out of it. Crappiest place I ever lived was still fine (esp since it was for 4 college students). The last few places I rented I just checked out the place to make sure I liked it, checked out the neighborhood to make sure I liked it, and checked out the price to make sure I liked it, and signed the lease.

I mean, really... apartments are easy mode.

Now buying a house, THERE is a pain in the ass.

Understood. I just want to make sure we're not making a mistake or I'm not covering all my bases. The area isn't so bad. It's kinda secluded actually. There's two grocery stores within a couple miles and we're about 5 minutes from a major business highway and 1 minute from another minor business highway. My commute would be roughly 20 minutes which for NJ isn't bad at all.

[Ardentfrost]

Yeah, sounds nice. The last place I rented (which was my mine and my wife's first place together) was chosen because it was nice (ie., we both liked it) and it was only a few miles from where we both worked at the time. My wife then got a new job and we stuck around until it was time to buy a house, then moved closer to her work and way farther away from mine.

Luckily the house we bought is really awesome.

Anyhow, it sounds like you've thought about everything you should be thinking about. I mean, there's no way to know what the management will REALLY be like til you have a problem like a plumbing leak or something. But then, even the worst place I ever lived was good about fixing broke shit.

I wouldn't worry too much. If you both like it, then it should be fine. Really, that's usually the hardest part: finding something you BOTH like.

[6SpeedTA95]

I think you're on the right track here. Would that other resident allow you to see her apartment? Will management let you see another one that the lease expires on similar to yours so you at least have an idea?

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I think you're on the right track here. Would that other resident allow you to see her apartment? Will management let you see another one that the lease expires on similar to yours so you at least have an idea?

I didn't want to impose, she was friendly, but not friendly enough to ask to see her home considering we were on the other end of the complex and had just met. And they'll have an apartment by the end of July that we could see, but our move in date would be Sept 1st.

[7960]

Originally Posted by JaJae

My girlfriend and I are looking to move in together.

stop right there.


advice: don't do it

[motivez]

Looks good man. I'd definitely talk to the neighbors and see if there's any problems with crime, noise on the weekends, etc.. especially if you guys have a pool and it's not a gated complex

Starting really last summer we started having huge problems here with people knowing that our pool was always accessible (short fence, often unlocked) and word spread, and people from other complexes and just off the street would come in and trash the place.. There would be beer cans, broken beer bottles and glass in the pool, they'd dump ashtrays, the furinture, etc.. and this wasn't early, this was like at 2-3 in the morning.

Check on stuff like that and ask current residents IMO.. I'd definitely try to find out who lives in the apartments around you, are they college aged kids who'll be partying every night or are they older professionals... etc

The people you live around make ALL the difference in apartment life, not just in your building, but in those right around you.

For example, with all the problems we had with the pool, those of us in the first few buildings right close to the pool who had to deal with the noise have gotten together and decided we're not putting up with that shit this summer.. we've gotten the complex to take some additional steps (easier access to courtesy officers who live in the complex, and some other stuff) and make sure one of us calls the police to report people who don't live here using it after hours (trespassing)

Two weeks ago we had a bunch out, one of the other folks in the building next to mine called the police, lots of underage kids.. drinking, they arrested several people (one who tried to leave and hit the cop car with his car ), and they all had court dates for trespassing

[Phantom]

That's an enormous 1br, and $1400/mo seem cheap to me. I would have thought northern/central Jersey would be more expensive than that.

I hate to bring up the idea, but what happens if things go sour with you and the girl? Can either of you afford the place individually so that if one has to move out the other can stay and cover the rent? I know it's not a fun topic to bring up, but it's worth planning ahead rather than trying to come up with something when you're not on good terms.

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Phantom

That's an enormous 1br, and $1400/mo seem cheap to me. I would have thought northern/central Jersey would be more expensive than that.

I hate to bring up the idea, but what happens if things go sour with you and the girl? Can either of you afford the place individually so that if one has to move out the other can stay and cover the rent? I know it's not a fun topic to bring up, but it's worth planning ahead rather than trying to come up with something when you're not on good terms.

Yes we've discussed it. She can afford it on her own and most of the furniture would be coming from her parents. So if anything happens the apartment would be hers.

And it is cheap. The apartment is about 6-7 miles or so from where I live now. That same price point would get us an apartment at around 1k square feet, one bedroom, no den, stackable washer/dryer (possibly) in my hometown. It is comparable to prices in that area though. It's a little further away from the main roads and the fun stuff.

[Phantom]

Make sure you ask if they have any move-in incentives. If no, try to negotiate the rent - ask for $1200 for the first year. At least around here there's a fairly high vacancy rate so there's some room for negotiation. They might be dying to get someone to move in and you would never know if you don't ask. It doesn't hurt to try!

[JaJae]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Make sure you ask if they have any move-in incentives. If no, try to negotiate the rent - ask for $1200 for the first year. At least around here there's a fairly high vacancy rate so there's some room for negotiation. They might be dying to get someone to move in and you would never know if you don't ask. It doesn't hurt to try!

Out here you typically have to put yourself on a waiting list if you want an apartment without bugs. Most people move in the summer and if you wait until after July you're taking a serious gamble on finding a decent apartment out here. This place will sell. They're also owned by a corporate company so I doubt the people in the office would have the ability to negotiate with us. It's something to look into though. I think what might be more likely is trying to convince them to do an upgrade and not charge us for all of it the first year. But this is really at the upper end of our budget. We wanted to keep the rent below $1400 since that's roughly 25% of our monthly take home after 401ks, pensions, insurance, etc. I'm not sure what people pay outside NJ, but it isn't uncommon for middle class renters to pay roughly 1/3rd of their take home on rent. We wanted a little more leeway for the just in case stuff. This same apartment in my home town would be roughly $2k a month. which we can't really afford unless we want to live off pasta.

This is the original apartment we were looking at in my home town. Rent is the same, but it has little closet space, a lot of unuseful space, small washer/dryer (1.5 gallon washer) and recent complaints of bugs and pests. It's about 1k square feet. My home town is 30 square miles though and this was on the opposite end of town from my work. So my commute would actually be about the same. My gf would commute a bit longer, but she's willing to for the more closed community, larger apartment, full washer dyer, den, half bath, storage, larger kitchen, pool, quiet apartments and no bugs...


My brother lives in my hometown. He pays $1k a month in rent for a 500 square foot apartment with no washer/dryer even on the premises. Most have laundry rooms within the complexes, but they're more expensive. And his AC is wall unit and doesn't warm his apartment. He literally walks around in boxers during the summer sucking on ice pops to cool himself.

It's amazing what you can get when you move away just a small amount in NJ. He thinks we're spending too much. But we want to live comfortably. This apartment allows us to put a decent amount into our 401ks, pensions, make a car payment if needed and still save a combined $1k a month. Over time we'll be able to save more as our pay increases. We figure we'll rent for about 5 years then start thinking about settling down with kids and put a down payment on a home. We'll see though, life doesn't always work out as planned. We both just received cushy state jobs though so we should have pretty good job security.