When you step into adulthood, one of the many milestones you will encounter will be renting an apartment. We see a lot of first time renters come into the office not quite sure what to ask first. The whole leasing and application process can sound intimidating, but here at Red Oak Apartment Homes, we will assist you to make the right choice and get you settled into a Red Oak Apartment with no hassles.
How Much to Spend on Your First Apartment?
The first thing you should do before searching the Red Oak Website for potential apartments is to look at your monthly income and calculate how much you can afford for rent each month. We require that you spend only 30% of your income on rent payments. Keep in mind if there are two or more people living in an apartment with multiple incomes we will combine them together and choose the lease holder with the higher income. You should also consider leaving money aside for utility costs along with your rent payments.
What Kind of Apartment to Get in New Hampshire?
How many bedrooms do you need? When are you looking to move? How much can you afford on an apartment? What amenities and utilities are you looking for? Do you have a preference as to which floor you want to live on? Consider the location you want to live in: Do you want to live in the city, close to the highway or a quiet country setting? When is rent due and how will you pay for rent? What is the parking situation? Are the apartments pet friendly? We can help you narrow down your apartment search to meet your criteria.We know your time is valuable and that’s why it is best to create a list of what you are looking for and narrow it down to 2-3 apartments.
A Personal Visit to Red Oak Apartments in Manchester NH:
Make sure to schedule time to come in to one of Red Oak’s Offices in Manchester or Milford to view apartments. When you come to your appointment, be sure to have a photo id with you, income verification forms and methods of payment if you decide to place a hold on an apartment. The Red Oak leasing agents are here to help you so don’t be afraid to ask too many questions and tell us exactly what you are looking for. Take a look at our apartment availability list before you come for your appointment. It will help you to narrow down your choices. Contact us for more information or to tour.
Filling out the Rental Application:
Once you have looked at some apartments and made your final decision, it is time to complete a rental application. The application will consist of gathering facts about your rental history, employment, references, a credit check and documentation of your monthly income. We always ask that you fill out the application the best you can and be very truthful with your answers. Once the application is submitted it will take 1-3 business days to review your application. Once you are approved, a leasing agent will call you up to schedule a time to come in and sign your lease.
Signing the Lease:
Once you get that exciting call saying you have been approved, you will need to schedule a time to come into the office to sign your lease. A leasing agent will sit with you and go over the leasing process. Give yourself plenty of time to read over each page of the lease in case you have questions. When reading the lease be sure to pay attention to the lease start and end date, monthly rent payments, late fees, parking rules, apartment regulations and correct contact information. Be sure to have enough money in your account to pay for your first month’s rent, a leasing agent will inform you how much your move in cost will be prior to scheduling a lease signing. Once you have signed and initialed the lease, you will receive your own copy and be handed your keys along with a move in packet.
Moving In. This is the fun part!
The first thing you should do is an initial walk through of your apartment. We ask you to be very careful when completing a move in/move out sheet. Look for scratches, check to make sure the appliances all work and other unusual items you think might be a concern. This helps us and you at the end of the lease to know what was the condition of the apartment prior to your move in. After you are done with the walk through, please return the form to Red Oak within 10 days. Now it’s time to decorate and unpack. Enjoy your apartment.