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Rookie Renters Face a Tough Housing Market
Maryland Newsline Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 Finding an affordable place to live in a competitive D.C. market may prove difficult for those who are just starting out and have never rented before. Housing experts say that this area is one of the nation’s least affordable places to live -- behind Massachusetts and California. To afford a moderately priced efficiency or a one-bedroom apartment using about 30 percent of their income, potential renters in the D.C. area would have to make roughly $29,920 to $34,040 a year, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The coalition found that in the District, an efficiency runs an average $748 a month, while a one-bedroom costs $851 a month (see chart below).
Rentals in the nation's capital are especially pricey. “You’d be lucky to find anything under $1,000. Twelve hundred dollars a month is standard,” said Linda Leaks, an organizer for Washington Inner City Self-Help. “And these are not luxury dwellings. These are regular, modest apartments.” Schaffer said it might be better for those with limited income to hunt for bargains outside the city. Beyond the immediate Washington suburbs, she suggested Baltimore City or Harford or Howard counties. Prices for an efficiency in those areas average $566 a month, Schaffer said, and for a one-bedroom $691 a month. However, she warned apartment hunters not to forget to factor in increased transportation costs and time spent commuting. For those who are determined to live inside D.C. borders, Leaks suggested looking into rental housing cooperatives that may be lower-priced. She also suggested getting a roommate to split costs.
Sharmistha Acharya, a second-year graduate student, shares her $650 a month one-bedroom apartment with her husband at University Gardens in Adelphi. She said when she started looking for an apartment she needed something inexpensive, quiet, clean and safe. Acharya said she is happy in her new home, and she finds management responsive. “One night I had guests over, and my oven stopped working.” said Acharya. “It was about midnight. Five to ten minutes after I called, the maintenance man came down and fixed the oven.” Despite the competition and high prices for apartments in the area, experts said smart rookie apartment hunters still have a chance to find a quality place to call home. To help shoppers, they answered some commonly asked questions: Q. How do I start searching for apartments? A. Barbara Jacoby, director of Commuter Affairs at the University of Maryland, said shoppers should consider location, price, type of housing, pet policies, amenities, transportation and proximity to work or school. Once the apartment shopper has decided what is most important, review what is out there through search engines, apartment search agencies and city Web sites, she said. Q. I’m ready to start touring properties. What can I do to improve my chances of securing an apartment? A. Before applying for an apartment, check your credit report to verify that the information on it is accurate. And bring financial references, said Laura Fye, a counselor with the Consumer Credit Counseling Services. Q. I’ve seen some places that I like. What are some things I can do to help narrow down my choices? A. Jacoby suggested seeing the neighborhood and the apartment during the day and at night. Also call up the local police department and ask about crime rates in that neighborhood, she said. Q. I’ve decided on a place, now what? A. You’ll get a lease that will specify the terms of your occupancy. If this is your first time working with a lease, have it reviewed by a legal professional. If you are still a student, you can get it reviewed by student legal aid for free, Jacoby said. Q. What if my landlord and I only have an oral agreement in place of a written lease? A. This is a verbal lease and it is just as valid as a written lease, said Carla Rappaport, director of the Graduate Student Legal Aid office at the University of Maryland. Check your jurisdiction’s policy on verbal leases, Q. What else should I know about signing a lease? A. Understand the commitment on a lease, Fye said. If you don’t pay what the landlord requests, it can turn into collection problems that can affect your ability to rent for years. You must understand that co-signing a lease means the entire rent is your obligation if your roommate leaves. Also be clear on what utilities you’ll have to pay for. Q. What can I do to ensure that defects in the apartment are not attributed to me? A. Before you move in or right after you move in do a walk-through -- preferably with the apartment management. If by yourself, bring a camera and forward a list of defects to the rental office right after you move in, Leaks said. Q. What can I do to ensure that my landlord treats me fairly? A. Know your rights. Look up the housing code and know the standards, Leaks said. Copyright © 2002 University of Maryland College of Journalism
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