For Renters, Good Property Management is Key to Good Living

As a renter, when you move into a new place, you are expected to give a security deposit. This is to give assurance to the owner that their property is going to be respected, and provide them with collateral in case that assurance is broken. This respect should be mutual in a rental arrangement. The rent that you pay monthly should afford you the confidence that your home will be kept up in a manner that will ensure your continued safety and comfort. You want to know that if the lights go out in your basement, you’ll be able to call someone to fix it quickly so you can safely do your laundry.

If you’re moving into an apartment and are able to speak to the tenants who are leaving, all you’ll have to do is ask them about the attention they received from landlords. If you’re moving into a larger apartment complex and are shown the place by a property manager, it isn’t as easy to get a straight answer about maintenance, or to be sure that you’re getting an honest answer. You’ll have to do a little detective work and look for clues while seeing the place.

The outward appearance of an apartment building or complex can offer a lot of clues as to how smoothly the enterprise runs its business. How do the grounds look? Is the grass cut? Are the trees and gardens kept looking nice? Is their trash in the parking lot, or does everything look pretty clean? If regular maintenance like this is kept in order, it’s more likely that they are on top of things. If the place is a little rough around the edges, chances are, so is their tenant communication and business practices.

If you’re looking at an apartment complex, chances are you’ll see current tenants in the parking lot or hallways. If you do encounter them, politely approach and explain that you’re looking at an apartment and want to know what they’re experiences living there have been. You may feel a little silly doing this kind of reconnaissance while apartment hunting, but it will be worth it in the end. Once you sign a lease, you will be expected to stay in a place and continue to pay rent. You’ll want to be sure that you’re signing on with a land lord or property management company that will respect and take care of your needs.