Five Things You Need to Know About Renting Your First Apartment

Here are five things you need to know to feather a nest of your own.

--All of those things you are used to having at home don't come with your new apartment. Plates, knives, forks, blankets, drinking glasses, who knew? Outfitting your first apartment can be pretty costly. So, start collecting while you live at mom and dad's. A few cast-offs from neighbors and friends can be a big help when you are simultaneously furnishing an apartment and taking vows of poverty and obedience on your first job.

--Nobody ever comes when they say they will. Waiting for cable, the phone company, your new bed? Well, be prepared to wait. Two hour windows regularly become 2-day windows. It can help never to part with any cash, put it all on plastic, and threaten to cancel the order. You may find yourself suddenly, "squeezed in" during the delivery time that you originally paid extra money to get.

--Your new roommate may be certifiable. That perfectly nice young man or lady has an, "ahem," job selling drugs or booty. Perhaps he likes to sing off-key and relentlessly. Her dog has scabies, and you will have them also Bi-polar disorder is a real possibility too. So, consider a less luxurious place that you can carry on your own or stow some pin-money for a sudden move.

---Your place may be illegal. Yes, you got it through a real-estate broker or your mother's brother's cousin, but municipalities are cracking down on firetraps and apartments that violate ordinances designed to reduce crowding and demands for services like schools or parking. Violate these, even innocently, and you may be destined for the vagabond life. Acquaint yourself with the laws and agencies that govern housing in your community. Be wary of units located underground. They may flood or fill with sewer gas. A unit with only one means of egress is a no-no too. What happens if a fire blocks your only way out? Don't fall for the cute place that the city does not know about.

--When you own several cars, and they come attached to a train, location is crucial. Is public transportation nearby? How fast? Express or local? And, how much will it cost? Yes, yes, you will drive everywhere. But what if the ole Bessie dies? Areas that look fine during the day can be menacing at night. Chat up the neighbors. You may not want to make that walk at 2:00 am.

Let these five tips save you heartbreak. Good luck, happy hunting, and if you need a roommate....