Tips for a first time renter in South Beach?

[nikkidt]

Hi Guys, Im currently living in Hollywood and need to move out by February 2012, I will be renting an apartment for the first time ever! I chose the South Beach area since I am single and like what SoBe offers. I already know the areas I might be looking at to rent, but I do have some doubts and questions and I thought you guys could give me some advice. Im just wondering what things are important to ask the landlord.... Also, Should I bargain the rent price? I really appreciate your insights!

[Matt Meltzer]

Ask about parking. That's huge. Not common, mind you, but if you have it saves a LOT of headaches.

Also, ask what utilities are included. Some include nothing but water. Some include cable, Internet and electricity. Also makes a huge difference.

Rent is sometimes negotiable, sometimes not. You can definitely make offers of a different price, but they are often rejected. If you end up in a corporate-owned building, though, they tend not to negotiate. Individual condo owners, though, a different story.

[Jess]

If it is an individual owner you can definitely negotiate on price.

Be sure to check out your landlord as much as they are checking you out. Look up their property records on the city website to see that they are up to date on their mortgages and so on. You do not want to move in to be thrown out soon after when they are foreclosed on. It has happened to me twice since living here.

[Doug]

Other things to ask the landlord....

1. What is the preferred term of the lease?
2. Does it go month to month after it expires, or is it renewed for the original period?
3. What is the average utility bill like? What utilities are included in the rent?
4. Can I negotiate my security deposit if I pay first and last month?
5. (if applicable) Are your pet deposits refundable?
6. Who does your maintenance?
7. What is your policy on visitors? How long can they stay?
8. Is there on site parking/laundry facilities?
9. Any recent break-ins?

[Indian Barbie]

Jess do have the link to the website you use to look this information up?

[rk]

You can look up property records either by address or owner name at the County Assessor's search page:

http://gisims2.miamidade.gov/myhome/propmap.asp

Also, be sure to enter the name of the owner or manager over at the County Clerk's search page:

http://www2.miami-dadeclerk.com/Publ...ds/Search.aspx

(the name has to be entered in the order they say, i.e. Lastname, Firstname)

[nikkidt]

wow, thanks! I greatly appreciate all your advise, this will help me a lot when looking for an apt. I'm realizing how much of a rookie I am in all of this! Please feel free to continue sharing your knowledge and experience!

[nikkidt]

oh, I almost forgot to ask...should I be physically looking at apartments/speaking with the landlord at this time even if I'm moving in February? Is it too early or is it crunch time?? thanks guys!

[Doug]

If you want to look at larger buildings, it's a good time -- because larger buildings will almost always have a vacancy coming up. For my own move, I went to Miami Beach one month before and set up everything then. I left a deposit and my application with the owner, and moved in the following month.

[Jess]

Now is the time to start looking. More will come available in January as people move out of places but plenty will be on now as people will have given their months notice. I found my current apartment in January last year and moved March, so 6 weeks is about the right amount of time.

[Christy]

Make sure you check to see if the property is also listed for sale or if it's in foreclosure.

Read all memos to tenants in the hallway. You'll find out some interesting stuff.

Ask about pest control, if it's done monthly, etc.

When you see a place you like, ask to go back at different times of the day. Is it loud at night? Do you get any sunlight?

Try to hang around outside the building and ask renters if they like living there.

Everything is negotiable, make an offer! This is kind of a landlord's market and things move quickly so be decisive.

[sec1975]

great tips in here guys so thanks. i'll be doing exactly the same stuff from next month, but luckily my company is putting me up for 60 days so i can find somewhere. good to know that there are many things to consider.

i'll be living alone, so any clues on things like average power/water/cable/internet costs per month if they're not included in the rent itself would be much appreciated

[Christy]

You'll have a gas bill, FPL (power and light), and then whatever cable/internet co you decide on.

[Jess]

Cable and internet with Atlantic BB for the basic package is around $40/ month. Electric can be aything from $30-$100 depending on time of year and how cold you like to keep the AC.

[Matt Meltzer]

Power can actually get upwards of $180 if you've got laundry in your apartment, a dishwasher, A/C, oven and all the other stuff. Be careful. that first bill can be a shocker.

[sec1975]

Power can actually get upwards of $180 if you've got laundry in your apartment, a dishwasher, A/C, oven and all the other stuff. Be careful. that first bill can be a shocker.

thanks matt

my current monthly bill here in sing is about 200 for water and power, with internet and cable another 180 so it sounds like i'm going to be a little up. plus cars are way expensive in singapore (a new mini cooper is about 100k!!!) and i haven't had one the whole time i've lived here (pedal power and cabs) so looking at leasing one in Miami it seems like that will be a huge bonus (if i can remember how to drive)

am getting really pumped now, arrive on the 25 Feb, the only drag is arranging shipping/bank transfers etc but hey, that's only short term headaches right!

here's another few questions for you local guys...when i arrive i have to get a social security number. i understand that you can't do squat without one and you have to apply/get one in person- ie once i get there.
i'm pretty sure my work will be on hand to help out but does anyone have any info/experience of that process?

presumably its passport and visa and work supporting documents, stand in a line and be ultra polite once you get to the counter? same at the DMV (which is 2nd on my list of things to do, then bank account, then a place to live. oh and start the new job)

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi sec1975, welcome to the forums all the way from Singapore!

Our forum member Dutchie just went through that process, I'll ask him to chime in.

In the meantime, check out his thread: Hello New World

If you aren't fussy about a fancy car, you can get a used one for nowhere near that amount. In fact, Dutchie just went through the same. He'll have great advice for you.

[acksunny]

Link to Social Security Application info:

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5.htm

[sec1975]

thanks for that

looks pretty straightforward...crosses fingers.....3 weeks and counting