Your Apartment Terminology Guide

If you’re in the process of renting an apartment for the first time, there are some words and terms you are likely to bump into that you might not know. Having a basic understanding of apartment terminology can help you breeze through the rental process and find just the right place to live.

Some of the terms you’re likely to run into during an apartment search include:

Affordable housing – This term can relate to a number of different circumstances. Affordable housing might refer to rentals that are subsidized by government programs, such as low income housing programs, or it might simply relate to properties that are priced to move.

Low income housing – This term generally relates to properties that offer government subsidies on rental payments for those who do not earn enough money to afford rent. Section 8 housing, subsidized by the Housing and Urban Development department (HUD), for example, would qualify as low-income.

Credit check – This is a standard procedure that most apartment complexes and landlords will perform. A credit check can tell a potential landlord a lot about a potential renter’s ability to pay, trustworthiness to pay and more. Forms will generally have to be filled out to authorize a credit check. Expect this during an apartment search. Most rentals are not available to those who will not consent to have their credit checked.

Co-signer – This is a person who agrees to take on responsibility for a lease if another signer fails to do so. This might be a roommate or family member who lives in the apartment or even a friend or relation who signs to help another gain a lease. If you have bad credit or no rental history, you may be required to have a co-signer or guarantor.

Security deposit – This is an upfront, refundable, payment made to cover damages that might occur during a person’s tenure living in a rental. How much of the security deposit you are refunded at the end of the lease will depend on the condition of your apartment when you move out.

Sublease – This takes place when the initial renter strikes a lease deal with someone else who then takes over responsibility and payments on the initial renter’s behalf. Some properties will not allow this.

Normal wear and tear – This is “damage” that is expected during the course of a lease. Carpet wear, minor wall dings and dirt and so on fall into this category. Security deposits cannot be withheld for normal wear and tear. However, you are responsible for major damages like holes in the wall that occur while you are living in an apartment.

Maintenance request – When repairs are needed within an apartment or rental, a maintenance request will either need to be called in or a formal document filled out. Some apartment complexes have 48 hour policies where they must investigate the request within 48 hours of the document being filed. You should check your apartment complex’s maintenance policy for details.

Efficiency - An efficiency apartment is similar to a studio apartment in the fact that both have all living spaces contained in one room. The kitchen, living room, and bedroom all share the same living space without dividing walls. However, a kitchen in an efficiency is usually smaller than in a studio.

Moving to an apartment brings with it a whole host of new terms people need to learn. When they are understood, the search for a great place to live can be made much easier.