Yay! You found your dream rental—or so you think. Make sure to ask your would-be landlord or property manager these questions before moving in.
This article appears in Issue 24 of Alta Journal.
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“Has anyone died in this building?”
California landlords must disclose to a prospective tenant a prior occupant’s death in the unit (except one caused by an AIDS-related illness) if it occurred within the past three years.
“Does the apartment come with a fridge?”
Oregon law does not require a rental to have a refrigerator. Watch out: a budget fridge costs between $500 and $1,000 and weighs 250 pounds.
“Can I sublet my unit?”
Sometimes you need to get away—and it’s nice to have someone cover the rent. Subletting is legal in most states, but only if your landlord approves in writing.
“When was this building constructed?”
In the Golden State, landlords of older apartments can raise the rent only by 5 to 10 percent each year, depending on factors like property type. If your building went up in the past 15 years, though, the sky’s the limit. Be sure to check local laws, which may have stricter rent-control protections.
“How long does it take for repairs to be made?”
Try your future neighbor for this one. A broken window blind is one thing, but waiting three weeks for a new air-conditioning unit in the summer is not cool.•
