About to look at an apartment, what should I bring/ask?

[Pemolis]

I have a friend who is moving to Chicago and is giving up his apartment. The rent is about right (woodside queens, 850), and its a 1 bedroom.

What should I ask him about specifically when checking out the apartment. It will be the first (and from the looks of it, the last) apartment I'll be looking at for a while and I want to make sure I get the basic history and stuff. But what should I bring? Check, Cash, References, etc?

He's pretty well in with the Landlord so I do not think that will be a big deal, but some advice in this would help.

Also I have been meaning to ask... how exactly do you find out about getting electricity and gas? ALSO (last question) how much on average IS electricity and Gas a month in NYC?

Thanks in Advance.
Pem.

[avlena]

Usually the landlord can provide you the numbers to call in order to hook up electricity and other utilities in your name. Sometimes, rent includes some utilities, so you should ask that.

For me, I care about how safe the neighborhood is (check if the complex is gated and well lit), and also how good they are with maintenance. I also prefer a quiet area. If they have a lot of extra amenities like a pool or whatever, don't be blinded by them - even though they might have really awesome pool-side cabanas, you'll probably never use them, so it's not really a perk to worth paying for.

It sounds like you've already decided on this place though, and if your friend gives a good recommendation of the place, what are you doubting?

[Pemolis]

Usually the landlord can provide you the numbers to call in order to hook up electricity and other utilities in your name. Sometimes, rent includes some utilities, so you should ask that.

For me, I care about how safe the neighborhood is (check if the complex is gated and well lit), and also how good they are with maintenance. I also prefer a quiet area. If they have a lot of extra amenities like a pool or whatever, don't be blinded by them - even though they might have really awesome pool-side cabanas, you'll probably never use them, so it's not really a perk to worth paying for.

It sounds like you've already decided on this place though, and if your friend gives a good recommendation of the place, what are you doubting?


.. this is NYC, not California. The closest thing to a pool is the Hudson River, and aint no amount of money you could pay me to swim in that corpse infested, needle ridden brown water.

I figure the best way to see if a neighborhood is safe is to walk around it at night. If I get mugged.. then it probably ain't that safe. Its mostly an Irish Neighborhood so the most I expect is maybe a barfight on ocassion. Then again I grew up in the south bronx, so just about any neighborhood, except redhook and south central, is a pretty good neighborhood.

Only heats included. I'll have to get gas and electric on my own (thats why I asked what the average price of it would be. Also would it be a good idea to buy an electric oven in order to save on Gas?

Alot I know, but I am a bit excited (though I stay a bit pessimistic). Really my first ever view of a place, so I am trying to figure out what's needed.

[molecularfire]

Huh? If you're paying gas and electric, how is heat included? What are they using to heat that place?

btw... personal bias of mine... never get an electric stove. Gas stoves are soooooo much better for cooking.

[sizemic1]

The heat is most likely provided through a boiler system with radiators.

[Itsme]

Other things to ask:

1. What are rules for hanging things on the walls.
2. What reasons would the landlord not give you back your deposit.
3. Any restrictions regarding installation of DirecTV/Dish.
4. How much storage space is there in basement/garage/etc. area.

[PoorAvatar]

Neighbors are a consideration. Make sure they don't own an electric guitar w/amplifier and aspire to be rock stars or is that just in Los Angeles?

[ArkiStan]

I don't know if you've seen this place yet, but if you haven't let me just give you a little heads up. I just moved to NYC in August and I was surprised at the average condition of the NYC apartment. I don't how much this applies to Queens, but you know those dark, old, refuse, abandoned-looking apartment complexes with narrow/steep stairwells and chipping paint? The ones where serial killer always live in movies? Well, that is the average, yes AVERAGE, NYC (Manhattan) apartment. The modern ones you see in Sex and the City may constitute less than 0.1% of the buildings in NYC. I'd say over 90% of the buildings here were built pre-war, many even 19th C. I've seen many Californians finding themselves devastated when first moving here (Sorry, no pools or "gated" communities ;) ) but you get used to it. And eventually many find it far more interesting than the flimsy, mass-produced suburban crap that they used to live in back home. From a historical preservationist point of view it's fascinating. Every single building has a character and a history.

Most NYC buildings have wooden floors that can often creak even with a carpet. Many find out that the apartment above creaks severely after they move in. You have the advantage of having a friend who has lived there. Ask him how bad it is, and also about any obnoxious neighbors.

[ialsohaveadream]

Huh? If you're paying gas and electric, how is heat included? What are they using to heat that place?
More importantly...you actually HEAT the place? Wow, never had that problem here. :)

[ufcrusher]

How close a friend is this? If its a good friend, ask them if you can stay the night at the place before he moves out. It will give you an idea of what noises and other idiocyncrasies you may be faced with upon moving in.

You want to find out if trash/sewer are included. Whether the units are on individual meters or you are assessed a portion based on the number of residents. You can ask (they wont tell) what is the crime rate in the building. You can also contact the local police (non-emergency line) to find out what the overall crime rate is in the area, they should be willing to tell you this or at least give you an idea.

There is no reason to ask about hanging things on the wall, you are legally allowed to hang things such as paintings, posters, other artwork so long as it doesnt cause more damage than would be usually expected. I.e. - if its brick/cinder block construction - hanging things up would be more of a problem as you need to use cinderblock/brick nails and are putting holes in that cannot easily be fixed. Compare that with a standard drywall building that most places have. A thumbtack/nail hole is exceedingly small AND you can always spackle it. Its considered normal wear and tear on an apartment.

Other questions to ask would be:
1. Is there any extra storage included or do you have to pay for it. (in many NY apartments they have chained in areas in the basement for storage of items...where you either have your own are that you personally padlock or a general area that is divided in some way that the LL or super controls access to.)
2. Parking - is there any included parking? I would say there a snowball has a better chance of surviving being thrown into the fires of hell than have included parking in most of the city, but you never know what might be included in the boroughs.
3. Restrictions - Some buildings have restrictions on things such as noise (no noise after 10pm), no loud stereos, move in time, visiting hours (for safety, I have heard of some requiring you to walk your visitors in and out of the building after X hr) - You get the drift
4. How close transportation is to the building? This is more for you, but you might want to find out where the nearest subway enterance is, what line it runs on, etc. You can find this out on your own.
5. How they handle deposits. When can you expect it to be returned? What is acceptable wear and tear.
6. If there are carpets, how often are they replaced/cleaned.
7. Whether you are allowed to paint your unit. (only ask if this interests you, otherwise it could cause more problems for you than its worth)

You will also want to change your locks immediately upon getting the apartment.

Hope that helps.

[Pemolis]

I've lived in NY my entire life and walked in and out of every type of building there is, so in most respects I understand what I could be walking into. The building does have its own Super, so to that regards, it might be kept up to some degree. I already know there is no parking (I am used to that), and it is not far from the train eitherway. I'll be going there thursday night, so hopefully I can get a judge of how the people and neighbors act at night, as well as who creeps and crawls around the neighborhood.

These are some awesome recommendations. Thanks. Hopefull you can answer just a few more questions of mines.

1) He wants to sell the furniture, unfortunately he wants me to buy it (I honestly don't need it, but I may consider it). On average, how much should/would be a good price for these "used' items?

1) King size bed (I may actually consider this).
2) Ikea Couch
3) Cabinet
4) Kitchen Table


I want (incase I do want it) would be a good offering price for each?

2) One last thing, If anybody who lives in NY could give me an estimate on how much electricity for a month would cost? Both in the winter and summer months.

[ialsohaveadream]

On average, how much should/would be a good price for these "used' items?

1) King size bed (I may actually consider this).
2) Ikea Couch
3) Cabinet
4) Kitchen Table
Obviously, it'll vary based on quality, but for a general estimate, check out Craigslist for NYC. I'd give you my own estimate, but I don't know what you mean by cabinet. He's selling you just one cabinet and taking the rest with him? Gonna be mighty hard to put all your dishes away. :)

[avlena]

I've seen many Californians finding themselves devastated when first moving here (Sorry, no pools or "gated" communities ;) ) but you get used to it.

:eek3: ... yeeaahhh... from the discussion, i'm thinking that i'd have a REALLY hard time finding an apt in NYC that met my Cali standards. :P I had a hard enough time getting used to the style of apts in LA when I moved from pristine OC!

[oblongmelon]

before you buy that kingsize bed and couch off of him, I suggest you take a look at the thread on BED BUGS..unless you know this guy, you don't know what has been inhabiting those items...
If I were you, I'd start by asking if there had been any kind of illegal activity going on in the apartment which makes it now empty..you don't want visitors looking for smack at 3am do you? take a look under the sink and see if there is any kind of rodent droppings open cupboards and look for holes, gnawed wood, black specks (cockroach dirt), test ALL the outlets to make sure they ALL work, test the oven, and all the burners on the stove to make sure they work, (so you don't get stuck with a stove that doesn't work and no place to put it when you have to go out and buy a new one). Test the water pressure in all the sinks and the shower/tub..also make sure that HOT stays HOT after a minute or two..check the windows-do they have locks? do you have a fire escape? if so..does the window near it lock well? or have burgler bars on it? where does each side of the apartment face..is the front of the building a fairly common street while the back of the building a dog fighting, drug dealing, drunk haven? How is the lighting in the street? do you see streetlights? fire hydrants? How far is the local precinct from the place? how about grocery stores? corner markets? your work? the train? cab availability? laundry facilities?...
You live in NY so you should already know alot of this stuff..Electric stoves suck btw-don't get one..if the building is already heated by gas, then it should be easy to have a gas stove there-you can only be billed for the cooking gas you use..don't worry the gas and electric companies know how do to this..and if you call them, you can get a 4 month estimate on the gas/electric usage bills from the previous tenant..all you have to do is call. I wouldn't have some shady landlord/super tell you how much was paid..how would they know? why would they care? they only want to rent the place!..make the calls yourself..and good luck :) NYC is great! I live in NY but I'm upstate-and right NYSEG just upped the cost of our electric and gas 40%..I actually think that NYSEG is the most expensive gas and electric in the state of New york.

[MrGreg]

Take your cell phone when you look at the apartment. I forgot to do that once, and lived for 3 1/2 years in an apartment where I didn't get reception.

[Jenny]

ROFLMAO @ MrGreg. That had to suck.

[Pemolis]

... cell phone... Point Well Taken (I presently get crappy reception where I am at).

[Lolita]

May I just say I am shocked you could find a 1-bedroom for $850 in Queens.

[Pemolis]

I've been looking on and off for about.. 2 year's. Eventually you'll bring it up and someone will say something.

There around, they just aren't put in the paper.

[Merlin]

Check and see where the garbage is dumped. Where I live it is quite a haul from my apt to the dumpster and many need to carry their crap even further. If this is a place that has a chute then you'd like to be close but not too close.

Also check on the mailboxes. Is it a long haul to them as well? Are they in good shape or has their security been compromised? Are they large enough to get a package delivered?

Aw hell, have you considered leaving New York? It would make all this so much easier.

[Pemolis]

Eventually, but I am still in college here and really can't leave till I'm done with it (about another 6 to 8 months).

Then.. heck I'm gone.

[Pemolis]

Just finished seeing the place. Far from Luxury, but also far from the projects and the hood.

Entire neighborhood is mostly caucasian, irish, and some asians. I'm probably the only actual minority of the place (kinda funny, but I don't mind it since I am not atypical).

Hallways are a bit rundown (marble could use some replacement, but then again we don't live in the hallways). THere about.. probably 8 by 10 feet (very small), and about 4 apartments per floor (5 floor walkup, I'm on the 3rd). Supers on the first floor (where most supers I guess would be). Met the guy, walked into the apartment, suprisingly its not a rats nest. Walls painted, floors wood (not the cheap crap either, but could use a sanding (no big deal I can do that). Intercom works (building has one). Space is adequate for the price, livingrooms about 200 to 300 square feet, kitchen's behind it. Not enough room for a kitchen table without it bleeding into the livingroom, but livingrooms big enough to fit a couch, a tv, and a few amenities (it can comfortably fit 4 or 5 people).

Kitchens a walk in, Small but I don't cook that much. Bathrooms roomy enough (not a death trap). Small hallway between the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom (yes the bedroom has a door and is well separated from the livingroom (its not a cut up living/bedroom).

Bedrooms a little bit smaller than a bedroom, though presently a king size bed is on the floor in there (I don't expect to keep it). Windows are shut, fire escape outside, and covered with a tack paper. This makes me wonder if people actually use that fire escape on a regular basis. Other than that, its a room, but one thing I didn't notice in the entire place is a closet (it suprised me, but I dunno if I noticed it or not).


Update: Decided not to get it. Just something creeped me out about the place (maybe its closetless place, or the Irish Super...). I'm pretty good at apartment hunting though so I'll find more.

[Grimm]

(kinda funny, but I don't mind it since I am not atypical).
Wait... you are saying that you are typical?

[Pemolis]

Just the opposite (changed the meaning of it in my mind). Either or, declined the place. I'll find something better.

Thanks everybody.

[Burzhui]

see how close you are to the 7 train, i mean if you're in woodside by qns blvd and the 7 is close, it might get noisy. Otherwise it's queens dude, what rules? hang whatever you want on the walls, chances are all that's included is heat and water. So just talk to the super, slip him 100 and move in.

I find it fairly funny people talking about ammenities such as a pool, and storage space in the garage and basement... these people have no idea what NYC is like and it's funny!