These are just a few questions to keep in mind when renting that beautiful Beach Condo, Ocean View Home in Solana beach, Del Mar or Carmel Valley. The landlord should be helpful and should not hesitate to answer these questions or to put the answers in writing (always get it in writing).
- When is rent due? and are there penalties for late payments? What are they?
- How long is the lease? and after the initial term of the lease, will I need to renew for a year or will I be able to lease month to month? What are the lease breaking fees? Is sub-leasing allowed?
- Are there any application fees
- What utilities are included in the rent? What is the approximate cost for utilities that are not included in the rent?
- Is parking included in the rent or are there any additional parking fees? and where is the parking area?
- Is there a pool? Can it be used by anyone? Are there any additional fees for using the pool or gym area?
- How big is the hot water heater and is the hot water heater shared with any other apartments? (This is a relatively important question, if there is a small heater, or if there is one shared with your neighbor who likes to take hour long showers right before you have to get up, you may end up taking cold showers more often than you’d like.)
- How much is the security deposit? How much of the deposit is returned at the end of the lease? What will prevent me from getting my security deposit back?
- What happens if I accidentally break an appliance?
- How is routine maintenance completed for the unit? Are maintenance people on call 24 hours a day? If not, who should you call if there is an emergency?
- Am I allowed to paint the walls? Am I allowed to hang pictures with nails?
- Am I allowed to have overnight guests? what is the maximum that they can stay?
- What are the procedures if I decide to have a roommate at a later time?
- Do you require renters insurance?
- Are there any noise level restrictions?
- Where are the Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detectors and do they work?
- If there isn’t an in-unit washer and dryer, where is the laundry and what is the cost?
- Can you get cell phone reception inside the apartment?
- Am I allowed to have pets? If I don’t have one now, and I get one at a later date, will my lease change?
