Renting an apartment in New York City can be both exciting and daunting.
According to an analysis by economists at rental platforms Zillow and StreetEasy, rents in the city are rising seven times faster than wages. In addition, finding a great apartment in a competitive market is more difficult than it has been in decades.
How do you make sure you don’t end up with a dud? We asked New Yorkers what they look for when viewing an apartment.
Watch for signs of pests
New Yorkers say they are particularly alert to signs of pests.
“I look at the ends of the baseboards to see if there are any gaps, because that’s where animals get in,” says Capria Berry, who lives in Brooklyn.
Cassandra Williams, a real estate agent at Compass, recommends bringing a flashlight with you on viewings to look for signs of pests and not being afraid to take a look inside the home.
“It’s so important to open the cabinets and check the perimeter to make sure there are no holes,” she said. “Pests can squeeze into a hole the size of a quarter.”
One exterminator we spoke with agreed. Kevin Carrillo, service manager at MMPC, a pest control company in Queens, said prospective renters should open kitchen cabinets and drawers to look for dead insects or droppings, especially on the inside of cabinet doors.
“Another really good clue is if you see caulk already in the home,” he said. “That means (someone has used) expanding foam or steel wool (to keep mice out).”
If possible, talk to the current tenant or neighbors
Talking to current tenants can help you identify problems that aren’t easily apparent during viewings.
If you don’t feel comfortable knocking on a stranger’s door, Celeste Polanco, who lives in Yonkers, recommends keeping an eye out for tenants checking their mailbox. “I make an effort to talk to them and find out if they’re happy in the building,” she said.
Rachel Sylwester, who lives in Manhattan, said that when looking for a new apartment, she always tries to talk to current residents to gauge how good the property management is. She added that neighbors can also provide insight into the block and neighborhood.
Pay attention to common areas in the building
The quality of the shared areas of a building, such as corridors and reception areas, is also a reliable indicator of the property management’s duty of care.
Several people suggested paying attention to the cleanliness of a building’s garbage area. “The first thing I look at is the garbage,” said Melissa Martinez, who lives in Queens. “How well is the garbage taken out?”
As Polanco said, “If you walk into a building and it doesn’t smell right, there’s probably a lot going on in the building.”
Martha Moskowitz, who lives on the Upper East Side, said she pays attention to the cleanliness of the laundry room. “If everything looks kind of neglected, you probably don’t have a very good landlord,” she said.
Check water temperature and pressure
Don’t forget to check the water in a unit. Turn on the faucets in the kitchen and bathroom and make sure the pressure and temperature are what you want.
New York City law requires homeowners to provide hot water at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
The water pressure in the faucet must also be at least 8 psi. To get an accurate reading, you must have a water pressure gauge with you, but in most situations, holding your hand under the running faucet is sufficient.
Search for past and current building violations
Before signing a lease, it’s a good idea to check past complaints and violations in the building. These can provide insight into the quality and responsiveness of management.
Fortunately for renters, all of this information is accessible online through city and state websites, although they can be difficult to navigate. Who Owns What is a handy compilation of building data, such as violations, complaints, and landlord information. It’s also a good entry point into New York City’s public databases like ACRIS and HPD.
The city’s building department website can seem intimidating, but you can easily look up property records, complaints, violations, and even inspections as long as you have the address handy.
Try to negotiate a longer lease
Compass’ Williams advises renters to sign a longer lease if they are sure they like the neighborhood or the apartment.
“Landlords can now raise rent (on rent-controlled apartments) by 2.75% on one-year leases and 5.25% on two-year leases,” Williams said, referring to the city’s Rent Guidelines Board’s vote in June to allow 1 million rent-controlled apartments to raise rent in the fall. “If possible, it’s better to sign a longer lease to lock in a lower rate.”
Earlier this year, a state law was passed giving tenants of market-rate apartments the right to challenge large rent increases or the non-renewal of their lease in housing court if they believe they are entitled to so-called just cause protection.
Get as much information as possible in advance – and in writing
Tenants should ask clarifying questions about utilities, security deposits and any additional fees when signing a lease, Williams advises.
“You should also make sure you know the amount of the security deposit and whether you will get it back if there are no security issues,” she said. “Also find out if there is a fee to release the release in case your life changes.”
