What are some tips for a first time St. Pete apartment renter?

St. Petersburg apartments can be a great place to venture out on your own and rent your very first apartment. Just keep in mind though that whether you’re a first time renter or a seasoned renter, renting an apartment can be scary! So don’t be ashamed of all of those nerves you feel bottled up in your stomach, just take control of them. The best way to take control of the situation and gain some confidence is to know exactly what you want and ask tons of questions. Seriously, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t ask what you want to know then you might end up settling and that’s no good when it comes to your living situation.

One of the most important steps in renting your first St. Pete apartment is making sure you know what type of lease you’re interested in. Do you plan on staying in St. Pete for a long time? Consider a fixed term lease. Or if you’re just passing through the St. Pete area then a periodic lease is probably best for you. If you’re one of those people who enjoy “bundled” services such as electricity, rent, and cable TV all on the same bill, then check out some St. Petersburg apartments that offer all inclusive leases. Once you’ve figured out exactly what type of lease you’re looking for then your apartment search will rapidly become easier.

Once you’ve found a St. Pete apartment you feel comfortable about you’re going to have to sign a lease. I can’t stress enough how important it is to read the whole thing. So many people get overly excited by the simple fact that they’re renting their first apartment and neglect to read the fine print. Find out what their pet policy is, do they have quiet hours, are there any extra fees you’ll be paying in addition to rent, basically you just need to make sure you know as much as you possibly can about the terms and conditions of your lease before you sign anything. Should you break your lease, whether accidentally or not you could end up paying some hefty penalty fees for doing so and no one wants that. Just make sure you read and reread and maybe reread your lease one more time before you sign anything.

Make sure you tour your apartment community before agreeing to anything. Any St. Pete apartment can post enthralling pictures of their community but seeing what it looks like in person first is a must. Ask if you can tour an empty apartment that’s not the model home. You need to make sure you’re completely satisfied with what your community actually looks like before making any permanent decisions.

Just remember to relax! Don’t let the stress of finding your first St. Pete apartment get to you. Renting your first apartment is a big deal and an experience you should enjoy and remember for the rest of your life. Just keep a set of questions ready for your future landlord and don’t be afraid to ask them. Your living situation can be one of the most positive influences on your day to day happiness if you make sure you get what you want out of your St. Pete apartment.

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentTampaBay.com or any of our advertising partners.