Correct me if I'm wrong : a question about renting in the USA
By SomeCowgirl
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
United States
September 6, 2010 7:19pm CST
Hello all!
My husband and I are talking about renting a place, you all remember my discussion about laundry mats, this time I have thought of something else. I know that apartments run specials. I have never rented an apartment so I wanted to make sure I understood the specials and the terms as per a general census of apartment renters here.
Okay so say that an apartment complex is having a renting special. Does that mean that if we were to get the apartment while it was on special our rent would only EVER be the amount agreed upon per the special? So say the special is $350, would it always ONLY be that, or is it only that for the first six months or just what, I am confused. Does it just depend? Have you ever gotten a place for rent on special and the rent was deduced for only a x amount of months, or had you had the same amount per the special for the entire time you lived there?
I just want to make sure, my husband and I are thinking of going down and talking to people for one apartment complex on his next day off. I told him that if they are running a special which I think they are, that we should go down there and see and see what the rates will be if we had to wait until the beginning of the year per if we went ahead and got the apartment.
I would want to go ahead and get it if the rent was going to go up at the beginning of the year but I'd only get it if we would be able to pay the rent special for the entire time we are there, or atleast for the first six months.. hence why I want explanation from ya'll.
If I need to be clearer just tell me.
2 people like this
8 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Sep 10
they have $99 move in specails here but am sure thats just to move in the its the reg. rent from then after the first month but yu also some times have to put up secuity deposit or ffirst and last omonths rent and sign a lease for a year!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
The Special at the one we are looking at is for a $99 security deposit... yeah I think I am getting over excited and forgetting my common sense!
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
There are a lot like that around here, very few are as cheap as $450 to $500. Some are as expensive as $750!
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
7 Sep 10
IT depends on the land lord. Some will have that special for the first few months, some for the term of the lease it all varies again by the land lord. I would ask if it's for the first year or however long as to what the rent will be after? Will it be a small increase or will it go to their "regular" rent rate after the reduced term is up? Make sure you ask so you don't have to find out the hard way and end up moving too witch from experience SUX!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
I will definitely ask questions, we don't want to be stuck up Poop Creek without a paddle. The ones we are looking at have a $99 security deposit and first month rent only $200.00... There are only TWO that are within what we want to pay around here... I am going to get a job, I have an interview and hope I get the one that I have an interview for, but I am going to get a job before we move.. and even if we make enough to get a better place we probably won't just because as long as it's refutable it doesn't have to be fancy.
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
No the first months rent would only be $200.00 then it'd be $455.00 after that. So you are with Section 8? I think $600.00 is too steep to be considered low income, sounds like you're being ripped off but then again it all depends on the area you live in as well.. that might be cheap where you live I don't know..
*takes foot out of mouth* LOL.
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
7 Sep 10
You have pretty well gotten all of your answers, special rates, move in rates, deposit special. I do not have any first hand experience there. Also, since only he is working, sometimes you can get "income based" rent, that is less than what someone with two incomes might pay. Whatever you do, get everything in writing, and read it, and understand it BEFORE you sign the lease. You ask really smart questions here. Write them down for the leasing agent as well.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
Yes I am definitely going to write down questions! I already have extra paper and pens in my purse. I actually have an interview on Thursday, we're going to get me a job before we move out becuase we plan to also help his parents pay bills too though with us having our own place that will be less in bills anyway (less electricity oh well you know what I mean!).
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
7 Sep 10
Hi there,
I have never heard of rental specials. Is this apartment on the coast or near a waterfront? I do think that the rents in those places maybe go down during the winter season but I don't think it would be for any longer than the winter and then they would probably go back up again. I don't imagine that if there were a special rate that it would stay that way for any longer than throughout the winter and possibly early spring. And the only places that I can imagine them running specials on are the places near the beach because it is a tourist area.
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
7 Sep 10
No I live about in the middle of the state. I think I got over excited and didn't think clealry. The special is $99.00 security deposit and then first month's rent $200.00 then it would go back to $455.00. That is the best place we've found as it's $455.00 for a two bedroom apartment with ammenities such as W/D connection and a dishwasher. Other places are more expensive. It's about $450 for a one bedroom in the county we live in for an apartment so we really really hope to get the other one I described which is two beds for $455.00.
My husband and I have two beds and a bunch of other stuff, so having two bedrooms would be beneficial and it would also afford comfort for those visiting us who might need or want to spend the night.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 Sep 10
Probably each place is different, but the ones I have seen were just a special for a certain period, ie the first month, first 6 months, etc.
@Memnon (2170)
•
15 Sep 10
Not much for me to add on this. I doubt that I could rent a beach hut for $350 in the UK!
These are close to where I live
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
9 Sep 10
I don't know about where you are but here it is per owner that the rules are decided. Sometimes there are specials that are first month free or first few month at a certain price. You really just have to talk to the landlord and see what he is offering. BE SURE to read every detail and know what you are getting into because if you sign a lease..you are binded to it until it runs out. Be careful.
@LovingLife139 (1504)
• United States
8 Sep 10
Hi there! Long time no see, SomeCowgirl. 
I'm a landlord, and honestly, it depends on the owner of the apartments. For example, if you go in and ask to see a lease on one of these apartments, you can look for a section of the lease that says the rent will not move up within a certain amount of time, or perhaps the lease does not have this. If this is the case, the landlord can technically up the rent as he or she wants. If you are really interested in a specific apartment, you can talk with the property owner and see how long the cheaper rent is in effect. Ask to have that as a written agreement that both of you sign and date if you decide to move in.
Other than that, I would have to say that the cheaper rent is only for a limited time. It may be just to get you in the door. What many people don't realize is that rent money goes to that property's bills...for example, I own a home where I receive $795 rent per month, but I have to pay a $350 mortgage each month with this money, not to mention I have to save up for the $500 worth of taxes twice a year. That's not even touching insurance on the property. If I were to offer rent for $400, I obviously could not afford to do that for long...I would be losing a ton of money!
Many people imagine their rent checks going directly to the landlord's pockets...and that is definitely NOT the case. First come the bills, and then the profit. 
I'm a landlord, and honestly, it depends on the owner of the apartments. For example, if you go in and ask to see a lease on one of these apartments, you can look for a section of the lease that says the rent will not move up within a certain amount of time, or perhaps the lease does not have this. If this is the case, the landlord can technically up the rent as he or she wants. If you are really interested in a specific apartment, you can talk with the property owner and see how long the cheaper rent is in effect. Ask to have that as a written agreement that both of you sign and date if you decide to move in.
Other than that, I would have to say that the cheaper rent is only for a limited time. It may be just to get you in the door. What many people don't realize is that rent money goes to that property's bills...for example, I own a home where I receive $795 rent per month, but I have to pay a $350 mortgage each month with this money, not to mention I have to save up for the $500 worth of taxes twice a year. That's not even touching insurance on the property. If I were to offer rent for $400, I obviously could not afford to do that for long...I would be losing a ton of money!
Many people imagine their rent checks going directly to the landlord's pockets...and that is definitely NOT the case. First come the bills, and then the profit. 