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Stereotypically a first-time housing choice for young people, apartments are attractive to military members of all life stages. An apartment lifestyle could fill all of your housing needs and relieve various military lifestyle burdens. Sometimes, homeowners need a break from responsibility and want to try apartment living for multiple reasons, including military assignments, family needs, and financial constraints.
Apartment hunting has improved over the last decade thanks to online management companies. In fact, MilitaryByOwner has an apartment filter under Home Type when you do your home search.
Amenities are top-notch if you’d like to pay for them, searchability is easier than ever, and layout options are more creative. But, before daydreaming about your military rental’s balcony view, due diligence has its place during the apartment search.
3 Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment
1. Am I financially ready?
There’s a good chance you’ve chosen to rent an apartment because it makes financial sense for your future goals. However, you’ll be responsible for immediate financial obligations before you sign the lease.
Prepare for credit and background checks.
Beginning to search for apartment properties and military short-term rentals is an exciting part of the process. High-end finishes, rooftop bars, and concierge services are super exciting, but you’ll have to make sure your background and credit checks are in perfect order.
Weeks before filling out an apartment application, request free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com and comb through the details to correct accuracy. Management companies are less likely to take risks with potential renters with many delinquencies and disputes.
This is an important step if this is your first rental or there isn’t enough documented credit history. If you’re a new renter without established credit, prepare to show management a couple of months of your LES to demonstrate you have a regular income.
Calculate your living expenses.
Take a look at your LES and check the BAH rate. Is it accurate for your location, number of dependents, and rank? If so, use this number as a starting point to determine the amount of rent you can afford while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle and financial security. You might be surprised at how much or how little your BAH buys each month.
For help creating and calculating a budget that includes apartment rent, check out Rent Cafe’s Rent Affordability Calculator. Traditional guidance suggests that 30% of your income be dedicated to housing, but this number doesn’t hold true at some locations where the military sends you.
Save for move-in fees and deposits.
Although your apartment might boost your savings account in the future, you can expect to spend a big chunk of deposit money upfront. Each property has its own policies, but renters should be aware that it’s typical for two to three months of rent due upon signing.
The rent deposit is in addition to a combination of pet fees (refundable and non-refundable), pet rent, security deposit, utilities, credit reports, and storage and parking fees. These fees will likely all be due at once, costing several thousand dollars upfront. Check with management about discounts or waived fees for service members for potential savings.
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2. Do I need a roommate?
The logical answer after examining your finances may be obvious, but this doesn’t take into account your preferences for solitude and compromise.
If you choose to find a roommate, there are many questions to answer before looking for someone to share your space. Here are a few to consider before creating a roommate agreement.
- What are the rules for household chores, guests, and pets?
- Whose name is on the utility bills and lease agreement?
- What happens to the furniture if one roommate leaves?
3. Is the location convenient for my lifestyle?
There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for housing that accommodates a military lifestyle. But there are points of reference to consider before choosing an apartment, as this way of life isn’t for everyone.
Commuting is stressful for military members who work a varied schedule. An apartment could solve transportation issues or make them worse; it’s up to you to decide based on what your apartment offers. Will you need to pay for a parking space? Can you walk to work or take public transportation?
Your apartment’s location also impacts accessibility to everyday needs such as shopping and dining. Military members often have sporadic and unplanned downtime. Will your apartment complex accept grocery and food deliveries?
Children play a big part in choosing the best apartment. Each management system stipulates how many occupants can legally and safely live in designated square footage. Zoning for schools and accessibility to bus routes are also considerations for a family living in a smaller home.
Be sure to check eligibility for pets. Apartments are more accepting of animals than they used to be, but they tend to cater to smaller animals and may have limited access to green space. Or, they could have grooming and daycare services on site! You get to prioritize accommodations for your pet.
You might need to prove your pet’s worthiness in exclusive apartment systems. Learn more in our post, Should Renters Have a Pet Resume?
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Apartment Life Considerations for Military Members
Military renters of all types enjoy the amenities and conveniences of apartment life, but they’ll also be looking for elements that a civilian renter might not consider. When searching for an apartment, don’t forget about the following situations that may or may not accommodate a military lifestyle. The lack or abundance of these could help you determine whether or not to sign the lease.
Adequate Storage
A military career is synonymous with military gear. Apartments are notoriously short on storage space. What are your storage space options? Is there extra space on the property, or will you have to rent storage space for other personal items to make room for professional gear?
Security
Typically a bonus to apartment life, security features are worth the extra money if you anticipate long TDY assignments or deployments. Knowing your personal items are protected while the living space is empty and that fire and water damage alarm systems are installed throughout the building brings extra comfort.
To feel fully protected, don’t forget about renters insurance. Your apartment management company will likely require a policy to sign the lease. Renters insurance is affordable, usually under $20 per month, depending on the amount needed and if you need specialty coverage for jewelry or firearms. Shop for the best insurance deals. Apartment complexes often offer a discount on their in-house policies, but all major insurance companies sell renters insurance.
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Planned Temporary Housing
Military life is anything but predictable. Last-minute PCS changes, an unexpected deployment, medical emergencies, or allowing your senior to graduate from their current high school are just some of the reasons a military member or family would choose to live in an apartment temporarily.
Service members often choose apartments for financial reasons, not only because they’re generally affordable, but because the lease allows time to build financial security. The circumstances are as varied as the people living there, but common circumstances include:
- Saving money for a down payment on a house.
- Waiting for an affordable real estate market.
- Paying medical bills.
- Rebuilding credit history.
Renting a House vs. Apartment
As you can guess, renting a home and renting an apartment are two different journeys and a decision guided by your personal lifestyle factors. Carefully inventory the crucial details needed to rent a home successfully. What are your priorities?
Reasons to rent an apartment:
- Affordability
- Less maintenance
- Convenience and amenities: pool, social events, and lobby/door attendant service
- Easy commuting and public transportation
Reasons to rent a house:
- More space: square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms
- Potentially pet-friendly
- Yard access
- Conducive to children’s lifestyle
Tips for Decorating Your Apartment
One of the realities of choosing an apartment is the excitement of visualizing your furniture and decorating items in your new space. More times than not, however, the realization occurs that:
a) Your things are too big or plentiful for your new home, or
b) You need new stuff because your current belongings are worn out or because you simply need a fresh start.
Either way, you’ll need a decorating plan that is rental property-friendly. Communicate clearly with your assigned moving company. Offer even the smallest details needed to unload your furniture into the building, including which floor the apartment is located and available elevators.
You won’t want your moving truck turned away because it’s too large or attempting delivery on the wrong day. Apartment complexes often have precise delivery details to avoid annoying current residents with constant moving-in and moving-out activity.
Keep measuring tape and painter’s tape on hand. Visualizing furniture placement accurately is challenging if you don’t know its exact size and shape. Start a log listing the dimensions of your furniture. Before delivery, outline their positions on the floor with removable painter’s tape. These tools help you accurately plan the flow and direction of the furniture without multiple adjustments.
Research furniture built for small spaces. This is easier than you think. Major brands like IKEA sell affordable furniture designed to fit well in an apartment setting. Always search for pieces that offer additional storage, either hidden or with open shelving.
Stock up on rental-friendly decorating tools, such as removable adhesive back hooks, spring-loaded/adjustable curtain rods, removable wallpaper, peel-and-stick tiles, ceiling hooks, various-sized rugs, decorative window film for more natural light and privacy, and sheer neutral curtains that complement multiple rooms.
Don’t let the excitement of moving into your new apartment distract you from the leg work needed to move in and thrive. The need for financial readiness and accommodations for a military lifestyle should take precedence during your search. After those practical matters are sorted, jump into feathering your new nest and socializing with your fellow apartment dwellers!
By Dawn M. Smith
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