Whether it is your first time looking for an apartment, you should ensure you find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. However, getting a residence that matches all your needs can be challenging, but you have to understand the things that can determine a great apartment before you decide on the best. When conducting your apartment search in Boston, you need to remember to ask about a few important things: quality, security, parking, terms, pet policy, and more. To learn more about these questions, keep reading the article below.

1. Ask about the quality

You don't have to trust the pretty pictures you find online. Before you rent the apartment, you need to arrange with the person in charge so that you can visit it. Inspect any cosmetic issues like scratches on the wall, or broken blinds, if you find any you should ask the landlord or property manager to fix it before moving in.

If you find deeper problems, it might be an indication that the apartment is not well taken care of. Try to look for safety and health issues, such as electrical problems, broken windows, rust, air conditioning systems, broken heat system, mold, dirty air filters, asbestos, lead paint, water damage, leaky faucets, rodents, and bug problems.

Does the apartment offer free parking, or you have to pay some fees for it? If there is parking, are there rules and regulations for the parking? This may include parking only one car or having several spaces available for parking. Ask if the parking is in an open lot or reserved. In Boston, it may be better to find an apartment with parking available in an enclosed area or parking garage, but it can be pricey.

Additionally, even if you don't plan on using your car much in the city, don't ignore purchasing one of the best auto insurance plans. People can still hit you when you're parked, especially if your car is being stored in a cramped area.

3. Ask about safety and security

Ask the landlord or property manager to give you details of the security system they have. See if their security features a buzzer system, security cameras, integrated locks, doorman, and any other method.

Also, you may have to enquire about the neighbors, is it a safe area? Take a walk around to scope out the place and, most importantly, check out for the crime statistics to prove their point. Furthermore, meeting with other potential roommates might clear off your fear after they tell you their experiences like in the apartment.

4. Ask about the terms of the lease

It would be best if you researched their lease terms when it begins and ends before you even look at the place. If you haven't, ensure you ask them when you can move in and how long the lease is.

Besides, it is vital to know the cost of the unit per month and ask if they have a late rent policy. Ask if they have a grace period and any other common terms of the lease you should know, like painting restrictions and quiet hours. Most rentals will need your landlord's consent in subletting. So, if you are planning on leasing out the apartment when you are gone in summer, it is crucial to confirm with the property manager or landlord before you complete the paperwork.

5. Ask about the pet policy Whether you want to start keeping a pet or you already have one, you should ask about their policy for pets before signing any documents. So, first, get to know if pets are allowed. If they aren't, it would be best to forget about it. Besides, you can't keep a pet by hiding as it could cost you in the end. If they allow, ask about fees and deposits. There are different pet policies, but most apartments charge a non-refundable deposit for the pets. However, there are pet restrictions like only allowing cats and no dogs or certain dog breeds. This may also be a helpful question to ask if you are allergic to pets such as dogs and cats. You can ask if the apartment in question had pets previously, as it's possible for pet hair remnants to still be around in the apartment even after the previous tenant has left. By asking these questions, you'll set yourself up to get a good quality apartment. While you may have to make some sacrifices to find the perfect apartment, getting the full picture of an apartment you're interested in will help avoid any future problems. Good luck with your apartment search!