When looking for an apartment, remember that landlords want to get their apartments off their hands as soon as they can. The longer they have an apartment without tenants, the longer they have to pay the bills on that property. With that in mind it can be understood that the apartment market is a fast-paced one. So tools that let you see the available apartments the quickest are desired. To do this you have a few resources.
Classifieds
Apartments will often be listed in your local newspaper. It is worth your time to at least give these a look over.
The Internet
The internet is one of the best apartment resources available because landlords can post and take down apartments at a moment's notice. Also, the internet usually lets you search for specific criteria (e.g. 1- Bedroom apartment with rent above $300 and below $700).
http://www.apartments.com
http://burlington.craigslist.org/apa/
(not just for housing in Burlington - if you type your town in the search bar, it will come up with apartments in that town)
http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=VT%2CVermont
(for apartments that take section 8 vouchers)
http://rentbits.com/rb/s/rentals-vermont
Questions to Ask:
How much is the security deposit?
A security deposit is money that you give to the landlord before moving in, that the landlord will hold until you move out. This means you will have to save money before you can move into an apartment, but you may be able to get help from DCF or another community agency to find this money. Ask an adult such as your youth development coordinator or caseworker about help paying a security deposit.
The landlord wants this money so to cover expenses if you damage the apartment. You will get it back when you move out if you are able to demonstrate that you didn’t damage anything. Do a careful walkthrough of the apartment with the landlord before signing the lease and make sure to document ALL damages, even if it is just a little scratch. Bring a camera with you. If your camera doesn’t have time/date stamp, mail the pictures to yourself. The post office will date the envelope with the date it was sent. Don’t open the envelope when you get it, so you cannot be accused of tampering with it.
What about rent?
What day is the rent due? Who do you pay it to? What happens if you are late? What utilities does it cover? Unless it says otherwise, it typically doesn’t cover water, electricity, gas, snow removal, telephone, trash removal, or cable. Be sure you know exactly what it covers.
Can I afford to live in an apartment?
You’ll need to sit down and set aside a budget to determine if you can afford to live in an apartment and how much rent you can afford. You’ll need to save enough money for a security deposit, and enough money to pay the bills if you are unable to work for some reason. It is good to have at least $1000 in savings. In figuring out if you can afford an apartment, you’ll need to consider how much you are paid by your work, how much you can get in rent assistance through DCF or other programs, how much you have in savings, how much the rent is, how much the utilities will cost, how much you will need for food, and how much you will need for other expenses. It is a good idea to sit down with an adult that you trust to create a budget and a plan for how you will pay your bills.
Can I get help paying for rent?
There is some help available to you to pay your rent or to prevent you from becoming homeless. Section 8 housing is available to people under certain income guidelines. To find out if you qualify and if Section 8 housing is currently available, call the state HUD office at (802) 951-6290. You may inform them that you are a former ward of the state and therefore may qualify for Family Unification Program (FUP) housing.
There also may be housing funds available to you through DCF. You will need to check with your caseworker or youth development coordinator to find out if these funds are available to you.
There also are some resources available to you if you find yourself behind on your rent, and/ or heating bills. To find these resources, call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 webpage. You can also explore the Economic Services Division's webpages, but keep in mind that this site doesn’t include all the resources that may be available to you.
Do I know my rights as a tenant?
There are landlords out there who break the law, either because they don’t know it well enough or because they want to take advantage of you. It is important for you to know your rights so you will not be taken advantage of. Vermont Tenants Inc. is an organization dedicated to informing tenants of their rights. If you have questions about your rights, you can call their hotline at 802-864-0099. Leave a message with your contact information so they can call you back.
Will I need to have roommates?
Who will they be? How will you get along with them? Make sure you have a conversation with them about how they feel about cleaning, friends, and quiet hours. Make sure you have a clear agreement about who will pay what for utilities and rent.
Do I want renter’s insurance?
You may want to get renter's insurance for the stuff you keep in your apartment and in case someone sues you for injury. This insurance is relatively inexpensive and is definitely worth the cost. Read this article to learn more.
Does it have a washing machine and dryer?
If so, are they coin-operated?. If not, is there a laundry mat nearby?
Is there a grocery store nearby? Is the apartment near where you need to be?
If you do not have a car, can you walk to it? Can you take a bus? Can you walk or take a bus to school/work? Is there off street parking for your car?
If not, is there a place close by to put your car in case of a parking ban? (these happen often during the winter to give road crews time to clear the roads.)
What is allowed?
Are you allowed to have pets? Children? Friends?
A handbook describing everything you need to know about renting in Vermont. It includes information on security deposits, evictions, and many other useful facts.
Information about leases, and what information is not allowed on the lease.
