The amount of money that you will require to get into your apartment will depend largely on where you live and how much the rent of the apartment is going to be. You may have to pay a broker in addition to the landlord to get into an apartment. You will need to be prepared to make two payments when you initially begin the process of leasing an apartment.
First, you will be required to submit an apartment application. There are usually fees associated with this as well as a credit check. Then you will need to be able to pay the rent and the security deposit. The application fee is refunded once you sign a lease, so this amount of money may be used towards your first month’s rent.
When you sign the lease you will need to pay the landlord the first month’s rent and possibly the last month’s rent. Many landlords use to require that you pay the last month’s rent, but this is not as common as it once was. You will also be required to pay the security deposit, which is also going to be equivalent to one month’s rent. If you have to use a broker to find your apartment, you will pay a percentage of the year’s rent or one month’s rent. This will vary amongst brokers. So, in essence, you need to be prepared to pay two to four month’s rent to get into the apartment. The landlord may also require that you pay these two fees with a certified check or a money order. Both of these will require that you have cash to obtain these, so you may have to do some saving in order to afford this.
If you have a pet, you will be required to pay even more. Many apartments will charge a pet deposit that you will get back when you move out of the apartment, assuming that the pet did no damage to the apartment. These fees will vary depending on the apartment complex. Some apartment complexes may charge up to $500 for a pet deposit. If the apartment claims that your pet did do damage to the apartment when you move out you may not be able to get this amount of money back. So be sure that your dog is housebroken and that the cat is using the litter box. Many apartments will pull up the carpet to see if the animal has used the bathroom on the floor and they will charge you for the damage.
In addition to the costs of leasing, you may also have to buy some furniture and other belongings. If you are just starting out on your own, you may consider asking family members if they have anything that they don’t need anymore. If you get creative you can turn old furniture into descent pieces and you will save some money while you’re at it. Don’t forget to keep some savings for necessities like food, telephone service, cable service and other utilities that you may need to set up.
For more Apartment searching and living tips visit Memphis Apartments at http://www.MemphisApartmentstv.com and Nashville Apartments at http://www.NashvilleApartmentstv.com.
Dallas in Texas is the best place to live for those who want to shift to a happening place where their all needs can be fulfill easily. Texas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States. Dallas has contributed to the expansion of this state in financial terms. Various oil industries arose after oil was discovered in Dallas. Now it has become the telecom passage with contributions from companies such as Texas Instruments to its credit.
The rise in employment opportunities has attracted several people to Dallas. Apartments are in demand due to people visiting Dallas on business and enjoyment trips who strong-willed to move from previous place. Most realtors assist potential buyers to find the right apartment.
Property is available through absolute purchase or obtainable as apartments for rent in Dallas. They range from furnished apartments to condos with customized décor. Commercial apartments are another option that realtors provide.
When looking for the perfect apartment, there are several things you need to keep in mind. The main factors to consider when apartment hunting includes:
• The cost of the apartment • Your freedom to decorate the apartment • The terms of the apartment lease • The neighborhood in which the apartment is located • The available amenities • Transportation and parking options • Appliance options • Pet rules
It is also possible to find apartments Dallas online. It is necessary to find a suitable agent who can provide customers with an apartment that meets their needs. Many realtors put up detailed listing of property available. Information is available online about properties for rent and for sale. A prospective buyer may type in requirements and various options will be forwarded immediately. Prospective customers may be able to short list apartments available in Dallas without actually going to the city. It is also possible to find luxury apartments and villas at affordable prices through the Internet.
Some agents offer attractive packages for their properties. They offer free packing and transportation to clients. Agents may provide apartments at discounted prices to a group of clients. Developers offer dream houses on mortgages too. Buyers are able to buy a house of their choice within their budget. Buying an apartment could be much simpler and more affordable due to mortgage loans.
Rent a house in Bangkok
When I first moved to Bangkok, I rented an apartment like most newcomers to Bangkok do, but as I became more familiar with my new home town, I decided to be a little more adventurous and rented a house. Having lived in houses over the past five years now, I’ve found that renting a house in Bangkok not only offers more space and privacy, often it is also much better value compared to apartment living. More often than not, it is also a cheaper option (per square metre) compared to renting an apartment or condo, which are getting smaller in size these days! If you enjoy wide open spaces, appreciate some green in your life – a garden perhaps, have pets, a large family or simply want to maximize your budget, consider renting a house instead.
Another advantage in renting a house is, apartments tend to put a high surcharge on your electricity and water bills. Many apartments have a minimum charge of 1000 bht for water alone. That is a significant amount considering my water bill never cost me over 500 bht living in a house with a family of 5, and we do A LOT of washing! Electricity can be anything between 5 – 7 baht per unit compared to the actual 3.75 baht charged by the MEA. Living in a house can save you up to half your utility bills compared to living in an apartment, and believe me it is A LOT of difference!
Thailand is cheap!
As you may already know, Thailand (more accurately, “Bangkok”) is not the cheap haven many foreigners once thought it to be, especially when it comes to housing. Property prices and rental have gone up considerably and that’s the way it goes everywhere around the world. The very same 2 bedroom unit I rented 5 years ago (in Silom) has gone up by 30% in rental and hardly any refurbishment has been done to it since! “That’s ridiculous” you say and believe it or not, I agree! But hey, I don’t make the prices and if you think agents benefit from that higher commission, that’s only true when clients actually think these houses are worth the price and that isn’t always the case.
Renting a house in Sukhumvit, Silom or Sathorn.
If you are looking to rent a house in the the Sukhumvit, Silom or Sathorn area, then the very minimum rental you are looking at is 30,000 bht for a BASIC 3 bedroom house. Even then, they are few and far between in that range, and more often than not are above 15 years old, with dark parquet flooring and lots of wooden built-ins which many people find dark and depressing.
Most people prefer something a little brighter and contemporary. That would mean newer houses between 1 – 5 years old and these start around 45,000 bht. Depending on the location, size, décor, facilities etc. these can go up to anything from 150,000 – 250,000 baht per month. For that price, please do not accept anything less than a spectacular, resort-like villa with a private pool!
No, but seriously, you do get what you pay for so be realistic when it comes to expectations and budget. If you want something new and modern but lack the budget, then move further away from the city centre. Which also means further away from the BTS line. Unfortunately, we cannot have it all and something’s gotta give.
Generally, if you go further towards the end of the BTS line and beyond i.e. Mo Chit, Phayathai, Phrakanong, On Nut, Bangna, Srinakarin, Rangsit etc. prices drop significantly and you get much better deals which are sometimes worth the extra time commuting.
Is it possible to find a house for 15,000 bht?
Not many agencies deal with houses below 25,000 bht. Just search the various property website in Thailand and you will see that the minimum range for houses are 25,000 – 30,000 bht, where the search usually returns 0 – 5 results. Several reasons for that:
1) There are a lot less decent and rentable houses at
2) If there is, it is usually way out of town, far from any BTS/MRT station.
3) Most people want to live in town, close to the city centre, CBD or near a BTS/MRT station.
4) Apart from location, houses below 25,000 bht are usually older (thus old fashioned) and not very well-maintained, which makes it very hard to rent.
5) If a house is nice and decent with an asking rent of 25,000 bht or less, some agents mark it up!
Thus, it’s hard to find nice, decent houses at 25,000 bht or less…
Regardless, there are plenty of cheap houses as low as 12,000 bht for rent, but remember, and I stress again – you get what you pay for! And most 12,000 bht houses I’ve seen are usually in serious need of repair and maintenance, and the really nice ones are located way out in whoop whoop district.
I don’t care as long as rent is cheap. Where do I look?
Again, you won’t find any agents to help you there and finding that perfect yet cheap and nice house is undoubtedly the hardest step. It usually takes months of driving around moo baan after moo baan, which would mean having your own transport and knowing your way around.
The word “Moo Baan” translates to “village” in Thai, but the term “housing estate” would be far more accurate. These usually have a guard posted at the entrance and are situated all over Bangkok. These houses usually offer much better value than stand alone houses, and are a good place for the house hunter to start his/her search. Try areas like On Nut between Sukhumvit 77 – 103, Bangna, Rangsit, Ramintra, Phayathai, Mo chit etc.
Concerns and other issues
1) Security
Honestly, I know of many farangs, including myself who have lived in single houses and existed peacefully without any disturbances or trouble for years. I also do not know anyone who has been burgled personally because they were living in a house. Do you?
If you are considering renting a house and security is a main concern, rent a house in popular areas like Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn where there are many nearby apartments and condos with security. That way, you can benefit from the dense security in the neighbourhood.
Another option would be to opt for houses or townhouse within a “moo baan.” There are plenty around and majority of them have tight 24 hour security. Common sense would also tell me to explore the neighbourhood a little and have a chat with shopkeepers and a neighbour who might be willing to share some information with you. I’m sure you’ll have no problems getting a friendly neighbour to spill the beans on the house, its previous tenants and probably things you don’t need to know about your landlord. Welcome to Thailand!
2) Air conditioners
Check to see how many rooms have air-conditioning; and how old the air-conditioners are. If you are looking at an older house, chances are it will have those big, old blocks that rumble every time you turn them on. These old air-conditioners consume a lot more energy than a new one, and would greatly increase your electricity bills. It is also unlikely that the landlord will install new air-conditioners for you unless they are completely dead (even then they will always try to revive the monster before even considering replacing it), so make sure that they are serviced and cleaned before you move in or if you got a good deal on the rent, invest in some new airconditioners!
3) Water Pressure
Now this is important. Always check that there is a water pump. Then check the water pressure on the upper floors to make sure the pump has enough power to deliver a decent jet of shower. I’ve learnt from experience that size does not necessarily mean power when it comes to a water pump, and sometimes a 2nd pump needs to be installed to ensure constant deliverance of water into the house.
4) Telephone lines
Again, from experience it is in your best interest to check the phone lines to make sure that 1) you have one and 2) it is working, because some areas (and this includes many areas in the Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn) do not have anymore available numbers and you will have to join a looong waiting list to apply for a new one. Also, older houses above 10 years old tend to be on the old, analog system which when faulty, cannot be replaced unless the whole area is re-cabled. No telephone lines = no internet. You don’t ever want to be caught in that situation!
5) Maintenance
Houses within a secured compound will have what they call “moo baan fee” or “community fee” which goes into the maintenance of the estate i.e. security, pool and garden maintenance etc. This is usually included in the asking rent. However, if you try negotiating on the rent, then more often than not, the landlord will exclude this from the rent and make you pay for it, so check to see what your rent includes when you are signing the contract. This ranges between 20 – 45 bht per square metre. Thus, the larger your house the more you pay! I currently pay 3,500 baht per month for my “moo baan fee” (I got a 5000 bht reduction in rent, so it works out) and we have 24 hour security, a well-maintained common garden and a superb pool that is regularly cleaned, so I am happy.
At Bangkok Finder, we specialize in properties for rent. Home rental is our only business and that gives us all the time in the world to help find you that perfect house within your budget when you move to Bangkok. Our website http://www.bangkokfinder.com features hundreds of houses and apartments for rent, and is updated daily with quality rental homes. Our negotiators have long established relationships with landlords, which means you will always pay the best rate when we negotiate for you.
Anyone looking for houses to rent in Prestwick may be aware that this South Ayrshire town is best known for three things. The first is that Prestwick Airport is located here. The second is its fame as a golfing centre. The third is the story that it is the only place in the UK that Elvis ever set foot in, on a refuelling stop on a flight between Germany and the US in 1960. The Elvis connection may not attract people seeking rental properties, but Prestwick is a hub for people working in the aviation industry. It is also an ideal residential area for people working in Ayr, Kilmarnock and Glasgow.Commuting to Edinburgh is possible from Ayr station, three miles south of Prestwick, though the train journey is a little over two hours. Trains to Glasgow, 30 miles to the north, take about 50 minutes on the Ayrshire Coast Line.For frequent flyers, the proximity of the airport may be a good reason to look for rented accommodation in Prestwick. Prestwick Airport (or Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, to give it its full title) employs 3000 people and offers passenger flights to a variety of European destinations. Several airlines use Prestwick as a base. Prestwick is divided into two areas by the High Street, with more expensive, upmarket properties in the western section, overlooking the waters of the Firth of Clyde. On a clear day, there is a romantic view of the Isle of Arran from Prestwick Bay’s long beach and esplanade. If you are looking for a house to rent in Prestwick, it’s worth noting that the eastern districts of this small coastal town house most of its population of about 15,000. Accommodation here includes both housing managed by South Ayrshire Council and privately owned homes. Here, as in other parts of Ayrshire and western Scotland, initiatives have been set up to build large numbers of affordable rental properties to keep up with growing local demand. As part of the regeneration of places and facilities in Ayrshire and the south-west, Prestwick Academy (one of four local schools) has been completely rebuilt, reopening in 2008.One of Prestwick’s claims to fame is that it hosted the first Open Golf Championship in the nineteenth century. Although it has not hosted this landmark sporting event since 1925, this is prime golfing country, with famous golf courses in the vicinity, at Troon and Turnberry. Prestwick itself has three courses: Prestwick, St Nicholas and St Cuthberts. The airport, golfing, the Burns connection and the pleasing scenery jointly attract many thousands of visitors annually. As well as accommodation for local workers and longstanding residents, online searches will reveal a host of appealing holiday cottages and houses to rent, in Prestwick itself, as well as in surrounding villages and rural beauty spots.Online property searches are a useful tool for anyone seeking rental properties in the Prestwick area, with information easily gathered on matters such as council tax bands, average house prices for different areas of the town and local facilities.
Understanding and completely reading your apartment rental lease is important. There is legal ease and there is straight language. Here are a few things to consider before signing your new apartment lease:
•Check to see when the rent is due.
•Find out where to go to pay your rent, who it should be given to, or where it should be sent.
• What are the late charges for rent not paid on time? -When do these charges begin?
• Exact amount of deposit needed.
• When is this deposit returned?
• How can you lose this deposit?
• Is there a pet deposit? If so, how much is it? When can it get refunded? Can you get this deposit back if you no longer have your pet?
• How soon after you move out is the deposit returned?
• Can you have roommates and what is the building’s policy on adding someone to the lease if necessary?
• What exactly does the rent include?
• Does the rent include any utilities? If so which ones?
• What appliances and/or furniture, if any, are included in the apartment rental fees?
• Is parking included in the apartment rental or is there an additional charge?
• Are there any additional charges for the use of any building amenities such as the gym or community center? If there are additional fees, what are they and if you don’t use the amenities will you still be responsible for those fees?
• What repairs are covered within the lease? If something happens and repairs need to be made by building management, who needs to be called? Are there any charges for repairs not covered in the lease? If so, what are those costs? How quick is the turn around for something to be fixed that is covered in the lease?
• How much advance notice is needed when you come to your lease term and you are planning to move?
• If you need to move out before the end of your lease term, what fees will you be responsible for?
• Check if there are any specific cleaning instructions that need to be followed before you move out. If these aren’t followed to the letter, part of your deposit may be accessed to cover these cleaning costs.
Most leases have a clause regarding noise and disturbance. This means the tenant (the lessee) and anyone in his or her apartment won’t disturb the other tenants in the building, or use the apartment for illegal purposes.
Other common regulations include who pays for losses, how notice will be given between the tenant and the landlord, when subletting is allowed, if it is allowed, when a landlord can enter your apartment.
Depending on your state, there are laws regarding what a landlord can or can’t require within your lease, so do some research and find out your rights.
If you need to make a change to your lease, ask to add a provision to your lease. Ask that the change on the lease be written in and then both you and the manager should initial the change. Never agree to something only verbally, make sure all agreements are put in writing.
If you don’t understand something, ask questions. And don’t feel pressured to sign the lease right there and then on the spot. Take some time with your lease agreement and make sure you understand everything and everything is covered within it.
And last, don’t forget to get a copy of your lease for your records!
The search is over and you are finally signing the lease for your new apartment. Just a few pen strokes are all that separate you from your new home. When signing a lease for an apartment, it can be tempting to merely skim the numerous pages of fine print before adorning each with your signature. After all, you have signed a number of leases in the past without a problem.
Neglecting to understand a lease thoroughly prior to committing to its terms can be detrimental. All leases are not created equal, and in fact they vary greatly in terms and stipulations. Leases are sometimes biased to protect the interests of a landlord or management company, making it even more important to read and understand yours thoroughly. Some important provisions to pay attention to are:
-When is rent due, and what penalties are assessed for late payments? The specific rent amount should be noted on the lease, along with the day by which rent is to be paid, the frequency (monthly, weekly, etc.), the start and end date of the lease and any penalties assessed for late payment or a bounced check. These terms can vary greatly among different lease agreements. For instance, one lease may specify that rent must be received by the first day of each month, while another lease may outline a grace period until the fifth. Also helpful is knowing whether rent must be received by the due date, or whether it must be postmarked by the specified date.
-What is the course of action for early termination? Most people intend to stay in an apartment home for the duration of their lease, and thus many neglect to read carefully the section of the agreement outlining the terms of breaking the lease. But the need to break a lease usually stems from unexpected circumstances, so it is helpful to know in advance if and how you can terminate the agreement early should the need arise.
-Are all agreements you have made with the lessor incorporated into the lease? Make sure your lease document or an addendum reflects any verbal agreements large or small between the landlord or manager and yourself. Even a landlord with the greatest of intentions may have a lapse in memory about your discussions. Whether you have been promised that a hole in a wall will be repaired or that a washer and dryer will be installed, ensuring that everything is in writing leaves no room for disagreement in the future.
-Who is responsible for repairs? Usually, the owner of the property is responsible for making repairs unless damage is a result of your negligence. That is to say that responsibility for a faulty air conditioner would probably fall on the property owner, while you would assume responsibility for breaking a window. But do not assume that you are free from responsibility until you read the terms of the lease agreement in full. Some lease agreements specify that a tenant is responsible for damages which result from a failure to report a problem to management early, such as mold growth or water damage.
Leases often contain pages upon pages of fine print, adding to the temptation to skim, sign and be done with it. However, regardless of whether you read all of the provisions, you are contractually bound to abide by them when you and the landlord sign the agreement. When signing a lease for an apartment, ensure that you read and understand every condition to which you are agreeing, asking for clarification if necessary. Developing an understanding of the conditions of your lease will protect you from unpleasant surprises long after you have signed on the dotted line.