Fall in Pittsburgh is a major rental season — it’s the start of the school year, after all. But how do you know if an apartment will be your ideal home or a regretful mistake? Adam DiBuo, managing attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services, joined us on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to share what you should look for before signing a lease. Here are six tips from his essential checklist:
Virtual Tours Are Not Enough
Never rent an apartment without seeing it first. Listings sometimes use old pictures or photos of a similar unit and don't show you the full story. Although this may be difficult if you're moving to Pittsburgh from somewhere else, DiBuo recommends doing a walk-through to identify problems, ask questions, and make an informed decision.
Ask About Costs and Fees
Ask the landlord about costs in addition to rent, such as utilities and late fees. Also consider talking to current tenants about their gas bills, so you get a sense of how much costs go up in the winter. If you’re planning to move into an older apartment or home, ask about the insulation and how that might affect your electric bill, or how the air conditioning unit functions during the summer.
Research Your New Landlord
We’ve all heard the horror stories about landlords who make life a living hell. Don’t become one of those stories! DiBuo says to Google your landlord and the property address early on to see what kind of reviews previous tenants left.
Picture Your Life There
When you’re touring the new place, envision your future life for a bit to ensure it’s a good match. Plan out how your furniture will fit in the space. Are you close to the things that matter to you, like a coffee shop, park, or bus line? Is there a safe space to store your bike? Can you actually handle a fourth-floor walkup?
Actually Read Your Lease
Don’t sign anything before reading it. Ask for a copy of the lease, and review it to confirm what rights you have and what rights could be enforced against you. DiBuo says this is another great step in sussing out what your landlord is like and how easy (or hard) they’ll be to work with.
Be OK With Walking Away
Pay attention to red flags and avoid agreeing to terms that let your landlord shirk responsibility — like if they say you're responsible for all repairs. If the red flags pile up, or you just don't feel excited or confident about moving into the place, move on and look for another spot.
“There’s enough housing to not have to accept a place that you shouldn’t have to settle for,” says DiBuo.
