Wow...renting an apartment...

Flame away, but I have to get this out...

Do landlords HONESTLY think that people will spend $1300 on a basement apartment, not including utlities? Do they expect people to pay HALF their mortgage? Craigslist is RIDICULOUS. It is outta control; if I could buy a house I would, but thats not in the cards yet. I'm always looking to see if there's anything good.

I am seeing the SHITTTIEST apartments and people want $900+. I'm currently in a beautiful complex with 2 bedrooms, deck, etc for $1300 plus electric/cable and cannot imagine spending the same on someone's basement. I saw one ad that the landlord was describing as a LARGE MOTEL ROOM STUDIO and offered it at the "BUDGET" price of $930 They want first months rent, last months rent, security AND broker fee? I'd need $5k just to get in!!!

These landlords want someone who is quiet, doesn't smoke, doesn't have a pet, doesn't cook, doesn't breathe, doesn't flush the toilet, doesn't eat, doesn't have a life...Who the EFF are they kidding???

Message edited 10/9/2009 10:24:08 AM.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

sorry, but on LI, that's what you're going to get. even for a "sh!tty" apartment. $900 for a studio is quite reasonable, IMO, and i don't know of anyone who would offer that including utilities!

i would consider paying $1300 for a 1 bedroom if it was neat and clean and included utilities. that's a lot better than i'd find in a complex (in the areas i want to live in).

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Message edited 10/9/2009 10:28:16 AM.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

i'd like to know where you live that you get 2 bdrm for $1300! lol

i remember looking for apts on CL and one cracked me up cause it was $1K -- and a basement studio with NO KITCHEN -- just a fridge and hot plate.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Posted by MrsPJB2007

i'd like to know where you live that you get 2 bdrm for $1300! lol

i remember looking for apts on CL and one cracked me up cause it was $1K -- and a basement studio with NO KITCHEN -- just a fridge and hot plate.

Message edited 10/9/2009 10:29:40 AM.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

I just went through alot to find a nice house to rent ! All the houses we were finding were $2000 and gross ( dirty) I am paying almost $6000 just to move in ,but I am renting with the option to buy ! The prices are crazy ! I hope you find something !

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

I totally agree with you!

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6 years ago, DH was paying $700 for a studio apartment that was someone's converted den. It was not a large room by any means - could only fit a twin sized bed.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

14 years ago, we were paying around $900 for a 1 b/r apartment in an apartment building, so $1300 sounds pretty good to me.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Posted by heathergirl

Posted by headoverheels

sorry, but on LI, that's what you're going to get. even for a "sh!tty" apartment. $900 for a studio is quite reasonable, IMO, and i don't know of anyone who would offer that including utilities!

i would consider paying $1300 for a 1 bedroom if it was neat and clean and included utilities. that's a lot better than i'd find in a complex (in the areas i want to live in).

You know, I was venting. I GET that we live on LI...I just think some people expect waayyy too much and it turns me off.

ETA: Oh, and FTR, its as simple as I won't be indulging someone else's financial well-being

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

ITA!! I think some peoples rent prices are ridiculous..I hate it. Thank god we pay $600 a month everything included,have our dog, but thats only cause we rent from our inlaws. We have school loans and some credit card debt, and 2 car payments and could never afford the $1800 some people want for rent utilities not included. I feel bad for so many hard working people out there that can't even afford to rent a decent place to live. People want you to basically pay their mortgage payment and obviously the reason many of us rent is because we cant afford a mortgage payment, so how can we pay theirs...

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

I pay $1569 for a one BR in Patch. I pay out of that 1569 a $300 fee a month for a 6 month lease. Rent is not cheap here. If you are paying so little, why move? My mom is in Fairfield too , and she pay 1325 for a one bedroom. So, seems you are getting away with Murder.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Posted by JennZ

I pay $1569 for a one BR in Patch. I pay out of that 1569 a $300 fee a month for a 6 month lease. Rent is not cheap here. If you are paying so little, why move? My mom is in Fairfield too , and she pay 1325 for a one bedroom. So, seems you are getting away with Murder.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by heathergirl

Posted by headoverheels

sorry, but on LI, that's what you're going to get. even for a "sh!tty" apartment. $900 for a studio is quite reasonable, IMO, and i don't know of anyone who would offer that including utilities!

i would consider paying $1300 for a 1 bedroom if it was neat and clean and included utilities. that's a lot better than i'd find in a complex (in the areas i want to live in).

You know, I was venting. I GET that we live on LI...I just think some people expect waayyy too much and it turns me off.

ETA: Oh, and FTR, its as simple as I won't be indulging someone else's financial well-being

sorry, i forgot that i'm not allowed to offer my opinion

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

wow well we pay $1,420 with all included two bedroom apartment in Lindy. I think its well worth it because of all the closet space and the fact the landlord down stairs is hardly ever home.

I do agree basement apartments should be no more then $900 w/ all included unless its more then 1 bedroom. Basements stink to rent out (been there done that) so I wouldn't pay more then that.

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I'm just a little confused though, since it's one of the purest "suppy and demand" relationship out there... an apartment (or any commodity, obv) is only worth what the "market" will pay for it. If I owned a home and wanted my tenant to pay 100% of my mortgage, I'm certainly entitled to price the apt. accordingly; if it's "worth" that price I'll get a tenant, if not, I'll have a vacant apartment, right?
If it's well-maintained, in a good neighborhood, convenient to the LIRR or other transportation, includes use of the backyard, etc., the price seems reasonable (to ME, which of course may be UNREASONABLE to someone else). You have to set a hard and fast budget, THEN decide what's most important and structure your search accordingly. And craigslist lets you filter your results so you're not wasting time/getting frustrated. If a basement is offensive to you simply include (-basement) in your key words search and those won't show in your results.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

where are you looking?

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

We've been looking for a larger apartment for some time now, and I agree that some landlords have some twisted notion of what their apartment is worth. It's also very annoying that most cost like $6k to move in due to 2 months security, a broker's fee, etc.

However, like the others have stated this is LI and unfortunately it's what we pay. I have watched the apartments on Craigslist in my area and some have been on the market for over a year because they're not priced right. Others go faster than I can blink because they are priced right and are actually really nice apartments.

With what you're paying for a 2 bedroom, I wouldn't move. But I understand you're in a situation that may require you to. Unfortunately, that may require you to look in other areas or compromise on some of your requirements. You can also search for apartments that do not have a broker's fee, which will lower the intial cost. If you're not in a rush you may be able to find what you're looking for. Good luck in your search!

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

I have been renting apts since 1996 and I find you always get better deal for a 2 bed than a 1 or studio. I paid 1200 for a 1 bed back in 2002 so Im not surprised by 900 for a studio.

We are in an apt in Lindy right now. We pay 1650 but have 2 beds, huge kitch, basement with laundry and a garage.

I think paying first, security is normal and usally I have either had to pay last months rent or a brokers fee.

I have never rented an apt without having to shell out 3 months up front in some form.

I think if you want to pay less than 1000 than you are going to have to sacrifice area or look on craigslist and look for a roommate or sublet.

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I have to I agree with most of your points. DH & I were living in a one bedroom paying 1269/ month for 2 years, our renewal was going to bring it up to 1329 but we had DS so we needed a 2br.

We were supposed to move into a 2br 2bath apt in a complex but when I got the lease i refused to sign it. I was just not happy with the terms of the lease.

We then went through a broker to find an apt so we would have had to pay 3 months rent to move in (1st month, security and brokers fee) In the end nothing she showed up was worth the amount rent the landlords we charging.

In the end we did find a BEAUTIFUL apt on craigslist. It had everything we wanted and more except for a washer and dryer which was something I was NOT willing compromise on. But in the end I HAD to compromise and give up on the washer and dryer because we were not finding anything else that compared to this apt and the price was GREAT! We have been here happily for 6 months now. It is a 3br 1 bath apt all hardwood floors, cherry cabinets, granite countertops, black appliances and an island in the kitchen. Lots of closet space. All for $1700/month which includes heat, central air, water and wireless internet. All we pay for is electric and cable. The landlord is in FL most of the month and her son lives up stairs but he works alot and is not home much. The apt is the 1st floor of a HUGE Hi Ranch in Islip.
$1700 was a pretty big jump in rent for us but it was well worth it for the 3brs. WE have a one year least and the landlord is going to let us go month to month when it is up because she know we eventually want to buy a house.

Just keep looking you will find something eventually.

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A coworker commented that I'm probably paying a lot for my apartment because it's in a complex. I could probably save money by renting a basement apartment but I haven't really seen any that I like. I love where I live, the property is beautiful, pool in the summer, landscaping, I have lots of grass in front of me. When we plan to start our family we will most likely stay on the property and move into a 2BR apartment. Living here feels like home. I don't think I'd feel at home in someone's house.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

personally I think complexs are feeling the pinch on the economy

my building has 2 open units (which is very rare) - and mine was open for 6 weeks- in the summer- across from the boadwalk in Long Beach

It even has direct ocean views and I got $300 off the rent, no fee, and 1 months deposit

so don't rule out buildings...you might be able to find something in your price range!

good luck!

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Check out MSLI.com... I found our house rental on there...we pay 1350 a month plus utilites...it's a 2 bedroom ranch... basement, full kitchen and awesome landlord

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

Apartment rents are out of control on Long Island.

And they can justify their rent prices because there are willing tenants willing to pay!

Supply and demand. And apparently there is a lot more demand than supply.

Re: Wow...renting an apartment...

DH and I found our last two apts on craigslist and both were co-ops. I refuse to live in someone else's house ever again. Our first apt was in someone's house and we paid 1300/mo. Currently we are in a 2 BD co-op with a formal dining room, EIK and Central Air and are paying 1300/mo. They are out there you just have to be patient. Good luck to you and your situation