With the prices of homes on the rise, more people are looking into rental apartments as living options. Other than the lower price and no initial down-payment, there are several benefits of living in a rental apartment. They are ideal for students, or young professionals who are not quite ready to commit to a house. There is a lot of variety of apartments to choose from on the market from single-room studios, to a three-bedroom, two-story unit with a deck. Whatever your needs are, you should be able to find an apartment for rent that meets them.

Once you have decided to look for an apartment to rent, it's important to take the time to think about features you need and narrow down your search by using these criteria. The starting point for most people is location. Of course you want to be conveniently located in terms of work, school, shopping centres and any other items you like to have close by. It's also important to think about what kind of area would suit your life the most. For example parents of young children would probably want a rental apartment located in a quiet, safe neighbourhood, abundant in parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and schools. On the other hand, a young college student might prefer to be located close to his/her school, while still being in an urban environment, close to nightclubs, bars and coffee shops.

Once you have narrowed down the location, think about the facilities you require from your apartment. Are you going to be living alone, with a roommate, or with your family? That will affect the number of bedrooms you will need. If you have pets, the rental apartment you choose must allow them. In some places parking is included in the price, in others it's an extra expense, and others do not have parking at all. If you have a car, it's worthwhile to calculate the price of parking on top of your monthly rent. Perhaps you want other features from your apartment building; a swimming pool, laundry facilities, a rec room. Making a list of all these will help you narrow down your search.

The next step is checking out the properties you have found from the "apartment for rent" ads. This is vital and will most likely determine the rental apartment you end up going with. When you are going to see an apartment, be vigilant and don't be afraid to ask about anything that bothers you. Do a simple onceover first; does the building look neat and well taken-care-of? Look at the plants surrounding the property, the lawn, windows, steps, etc. Poor maintenance of cosmetic details reflects a lack of care or pride in the building, and should be a red flag. If possible, ask to see the apartment at night. Note whether the parking areas and pathways are well lit, same for the hallways and staircases.

The security of the rental apartment should be one of your top concerns. Ask whoever is showing you the property about a security service the building might have and the hours that the guard is on duty. Note whether or not the main door has controlled access (i.e. a buzzer) and see if it is actually working and the doors (including side or back doors) are not routinely left propped open. When you are viewing the apartment for rent, check its lock system and look for signs of attempted break-ins.

The best way to get information about the apartment building is to talk to the other tenants. Knock on a few doors and ask if they are happy in the building, if they feel safe, whether it's (reasonably) quiet and how eager the landlord is to help with potential problems or repairs. Talking to neighbours will also give you an idea of what kind of people live in the building and if you do decide to move in, you won't be a stranger!

Inside the apartment for rent, check over the general condition first. Does the apartment look clean and well taken-care of? Has it been painted after the previous tenant moved out? Note the condition of the floors, windows (make sure they open and close properly), bathrooms and closets. In the kitchen, if the appliances are included check to see if they are working properly and what their general condition is. Look inside the cupboards for any sign of cockroaches or rodents.

Another important thing to find out is whether the utilities and parking are included in the rent. If not, what are the extra costs? If the landlord sounds evasive, ask the neighbours how much extra they are paying each month for things such as hydro, cable or heat. It can really add to the rent amount.

If the rental apartment building has recreational facilities, ask about the hours they are open, any extra charges for their use and whether you can have your guests use them. Check the laundry facilities and ask how often they are cleaned or maintained. Note whether the appliances are clean and if there are any "out of order" signs.

When you have almost made up your mind, examine the lease agreement the landlord presents you with. It is a binding contract and you have to understand it before you sign! Especially note how much notice you must give before moving, when and if the rent is increased (and by how much), who pays for repairs or maintenance and what the penalty is for breaking a lease agreement. Find out also if you need to pay a deposit and how much it is.

Be prepared when going to meet with potential landlords. Have all the necessary paperwork and information with you, such as a credit report, the rental application, pay stub and references. It will save you time running around when you do find a rental apartment you really like and will also make you look like a serious applicant.