What to Look For in an Apartment You're Renting With a Spouse

Searching for an apartment rental with your spouse can be a stressful experience. Even if you are on the same page about what you're both after, going to viewings, deciding where you want to live, and worrying about missing out on your dream apartment can all make the process difficult. The tips below will help you ensure that you make the right choice.

Ensure Code Compliance

Codes vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and as a tenant, it's in your best interest to know what they are. Some landlords might not be as conscientious about observing the code as they should be. When the apartment complex you're looking at is knowledgeable and transparent about code compliance, that's also a good sign that it's a well-run place where you are less likely to run into issues getting repairs done, negotiating leases, and more.

Avoid Assumptions

This applies to one another and to the person or company that owns the apartment you're viewing. You and your spouse should have discussed your wants, needs, and dealbreakers, but if you're in love with an apartment that doesn't quite have the bedroom square footage your spouse wanted, it's better to ask if they'd be willing to compromise than to assume it's not for you. Similarly, ask as many questions as you can think of about the apartment itself. This is going to be your living space. You don't want to find out the hard way that the construction across the road is scheduled for another year or that the walls are paper-thin.

Be Realistic

This goes both ways. You need to be realistic about your limitations. For example, you may want things not available in your price range. On the other hand, you should also be realistic about your needs. Maybe living in a place without much natural light depresses you. This is the kind of flaw in an apartment that you will only resent more and more over time. Knowing what you can and can't give up will help you avoid getting locked into a place where your quality of life is lower than it should be.

Consider Moving and Other Costs

When you're thinking about your budget, and especially if you're thinking about stretching it to splurge on a place you love, remember that there are other costs associated with moving. There are application fees, the deposit, and the cost of hiring movers or a moving van to do it yourself. You may also need to purchase some new items for the place. Maybe your old couch doesn't fit in the living room, or your curtains are the wrong shape for the windows.

Apartment hunting is rarely fun, but you can make it more painless if you are honest and realistic and you've done your research. With the above tips in mind, you can find and settle into your new home. Soon, the memory of stressful apartment hunting will be replaced by the satisfaction of living in a great new space.